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'La La Land' director hopes 'some good' will come of Hollywood strike
Damien Chazelle, who heads the jury at the Venice Film Festival that kicks off Wednesday, told AFP he hopes Hollywood will get over its current crisis and said he was confident that movies will survive the AI revolution.
Floods drown hope in Pakistan's impoverished Punjab villages
The coursing floods in eastern Pakistan first swallowed Nasreen Bibi's corn crop, then the cattle that fed on it, and finally her family home.
China and Japan's long history of strained ties
A row between China and Japan over Tokyo's decision to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant has added to decades of animosity between the two nations.
Army officers say toppled Gabon govt
Military officers announced on Wednesday overturning the government in Gabon, in an apparent coup targeting President Ali Bongo Ondimba who has been in power for 14 years and whose re-election was just announced.
Indian teen chess wizard Pragg given hero's welcome
India's teen chess prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa arrived home to celebration Wednesday, with media jostling to catch a glimpse of the newly minted star who faced international No.1 Magnus Carlsen in the World Cup final.
Hurricane Idalia intensifies as nears Florida
Hurricane Idalia intensified early Wednesday as it hurtled towards northwest Florida, threatening "catastrophic" impacts including a dangerous storm surge, with officials forecasting it will slam the coast within hours as an extreme and historic Category 4 storm.
US says seeking more 'predictable' business environment in China
The United States wants to work with China to ensure a more "predictable" environment for American businesses in Shanghai, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told officials in the economic hub on Wednesday.
Gabon army officers say election result cancelled, 'regime' ended
A group of Gabonese military officers appeared on television Wednesday announcing they were "putting an end to the current regime" and scrapping official election results that had handed another term to veteran President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
India deploys 'monkey-men' to scare away primates from G20 summit
Indian officials preparing for the G20 summit next week have hired teams of "monkey-men" and erected primate cutouts to deter marauding monkeys from munching on the floral displays laid out for global leaders.
Indonesia arrests 88 Chinese nationals over love scams
Dozens of Chinese nationals were arrested in Indonesia on suspicion of running an online love scam syndicate that ensnared hundreds of victims in China, police said Wednesday.
Sex, lies and social media: Women face tough fight in African politics
Soon after Judy Kengo was sworn into office last year, the Kenyan legislator faced her first public test when a doctored photo of a lookalike kissing another woman surfaced online.
Gabon officers say election result cancelled, 'regime' ended
A group of Gabonese military officers appeared on television Wednesday announcing they were "putting an end to the current regime" and cancelling an election that, according to official results, President Ali Bongo Ondimba won.
Strike-hit German stunt performers train kids during filming freeze
Ten-year-old Nathaniel squeezes his eyes shut, straightens his back and sucks in his breath as he plunges backward from the reinforced steel roof of a stunt car.
Kyiv targeted by 'most powerful' aerial attack since spring
Kyiv was targeted early Wednesday by the "most powerful" barrage of missiles and drones since the spring, authorities said, with two people reported dead, as Russia claimed it destroyed four Ukrainian boats in the Black Sea carrying up to 50 soldiers.
Idalia on brink of slamming Florida as extreme Category 4 hurricane
Hurricane Idalia intensified late Tuesday as it hurtled towards northwest Florida, threatening "catastrophic" impacts including dangerous storm surge, with officials forecasting it will slam the coast within hours as an extreme and historic Category 4 storm.
Indian rover confirms sulphur on Moon's south pole
India's Moon rover has confirmed the presence of sulphur on the lunar south pole, the country's space agency said.
Alcaraz keen to deflect pressure of US Open title defence
Carlos Alcaraz said retaining the US Open title was not on his mind as he began the defence of his crown Tuesday with a swift win over injured German opponent Dominik Koepfer.
Now or never for favourites France as Rugby World Cup hosts
There used to be a lazily-used cliche about France claiming "you never knew what French team would turn up" but in the build-up to this year's Rugby World Cup that remark has been consigned to the past.
Oil firms pay Insta, TikTok influencers for ads
Oil companies are paying popular influencers to pump their gas on social media, sparking a backlash from some climate-conscious fans for promoting planet-warming fossil fuels among young people.
Equities extend gains on US jobs data, China hopes
Asian investors on Wednesday tracked a rally on Wall Street as a softer-than-expected report on US job openings soothed fears the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates again.
'Great result' as All Black Barrett avoids World Cup ban: Foster
All Blacks coach Ian Foster said it was a "great result" that Scott Barrett avoided a World Cup ban after being sent off against South Africa.
Wawrinka oldest man to win US Open match in 31 years
Former US Open champion Stan Wawrinka on Tuesday became the oldest man to win a match at the tournament since 40-year-old Jimmy Connors in 1992.
Australia to hold Indigenous rights referendum on Oct 14
Australia will hold a historic Indigenous rights referendum on October 14, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday, setting up a defining moment in the nation's relationship with its Aboriginal minority.
Alcaraz, Medvedev ease into US Open second round
Carlos Alcaraz launched the defence of his US Open crown with a brisk victory after his opponent suffered an injury on Tuesday as third seed Daniil Medvedev strolled into the second round with a quick-fire win.
Japan's century of efforts to tame earthquakes
Takashi Hosoda was in a Tokyo skyscraper when the 9.0 magnitude quake struck on March 11, 2011, but the trained architect was "not particularly worried" as modern Japanese buildings are designed to protect their occupants.
US seeking more 'predictable' business environment in China: Raimondo
The United States wants to work with China to ensure a more "predictable" environment for American businesses in Shanghai, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told officials in the economic hub on Wednesday.
Hollywood strike saps glamour from 80th Venice Film Festival
A historic Hollywood strike robbed the Venice Film Festival of some of its usual glitz as it launched its 80th edition on Wednesday, but a raft of big-name -- and controversial -- directors are keeping the film world buzzing.
Springbok strength in depth boosts hopes of retaining World Cup
Strength in depth among forwards and backs has South Africans believing that captain Siya Kolisi and his Springboks can successfully defend in France the Rugby World Cup they won four years ago.
Embattled All Blacks boss looks to sign off with World Cup glory
A year after he faced the axe, Ian Foster will step down after four years in charge of the All Blacks following the Rugby World Cup as New Zealand look to bounce back from a record defeat to South Africa.
Venus bows out of 24th US Open
Venus Williams bowed out of her record-extending 24th US Open at the first hurdle on Tuesday, the seven-time Grand Slam champion losing 6-1, 6-1 to Belgium's Greet Minnen.
Few Catholics in Mongolia, but Pope's visit eyes geopolitics
Pope Francis heads to Mongolia this week, an unlikely choice given the isolated nation's small Catholic community, but a strategic one due to the young democracy's geographical position between two superpowers.
Young Tongans dream of the rugby meal ticket
On the rocky foreshore of Popua, the poorest area of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa, a group of girls and boys are tossing around a rugby ball.