EU nations on Friday backed a ban on AI systems generating sexualised deepfakes, after an outcry over such images produced by Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok.
An Iranian drone has killed a French soldier in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, his commanding officer said on Friday, after President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the first French military death in the Middle East war.
Oil dipped under $100 Friday, but remained far above pre-Mideast war levels with no end in sight to disrupted crude supplies.
- Indian-owned Sunrisers face backlash after signing Pakistan's Ahmed for Hundred
- Iran strikes end Dubai dreams for Pakistani workers
Economy
Deadly explosions rocked Tehran close to a pro-government rally attended by top officials on Friday, as Israel and Iran unleashed fresh strikes in a war that has ignited the Middle East and threatens to torpedo the world economy.
March 13, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Oil prices held gains above $100 Friday and most equity markets dropped after Iran's leader called for the blocking of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and the opening up of new fronts in the war against the United States and Israel.
March 13, 2026
RECENT NEWS
China coach Ante Milicic urged his players on Friday to remain "calm and confident" in a charged Women's Asian Cup quarter-final against Taiwan.
March 13, 2026
China's top economic official will leave on Saturday for talks with his US counterpart in France, Beijing said, less than three weeks before President Donald Trump's expected summit with President Xi Jinping.
March 13, 2026
Pointing at a calf lying motionless in a green field in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, farmer Igsahn Felix let out a heavy sigh. "That one is not going to make it," he said.
March 13, 2026
Culture
Heels click on cracked paving stones as fantastically long-limbed men and women practice moves they hope will whisk them away from South Sudan, one of the fashion world's favourite scouting locations.
March 13, 2026
RECENT NEWS
New waves of attacks struck Iran and Gulf nations on Friday after Tehran renewed its threats on oil facilities, while France announced its first soldier killed during the Mideast war.
In an English seaside village, researchers discuss options for relocating a graveyard threatened with slipping into the sea, or moving back a car park perilously close to a cliff edge.
Chinese entrepreneur Frank Gao used to spend long hours running his social media accounts but now outsources the chore to AI agent tool OpenClaw, which is taking the country by storm despite official warnings over cybersecurity.
France is gearing up for municipal elections this month, with a presidential candidate testing his popularity and the far right eyeing gains ahead of a crunch vote for the country's top job next year.
March 13, 2026
Politics
Moscow said on Friday that the global energy market "cannot remain stable" without its oil, piling pressure on Washington to lift more sanctions as the Middle East war strangles supplies.
March 13, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Carlos Alcaraz extended his unbeaten season and got revenge over Cameron Norrie on Thursday to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells for a fifth straight year.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says he is a totally different player and man compared to 17 months ago when he began what Thursday became the longest streak of 20-point games in NBA history.
George Russell was quickest ahead of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli and the McLaren of world champion Lando Norris on Friday in the only practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke the NBA record for consecutive 20-point games by delivering his 127th in a row on Thursday in Oklahoma City's 104-102 home win over the Boston Celtics.
March 13, 2026
- 'We're not wombs': Japan women seek rights to sterilisation
- Thousands of Chinese boats mass at sea, raising questions
- Singapore turns tide in evolving fight against scams
- Takaichi to be 'candid' with Trump as war hurts Japan
- Saudi forces down drones, French soldier killed in Iraq
- Gilgeous-Alexander sets NBA record with 127th consecutive 20-point game
- France fired up by chance to retain Six Nations
- Cool 'cat' Irish wing Baloucoune making up for lost time