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Russian-backed forces claim gains near Bakhmut in east Ukraine
Russian-backed forces claim gains near Bakhmut in east Ukraine
World
by  AFP

Russian forces said Friday they had captured ground in Donetsk in east Ukraine, their first claim of new gains after Kyiv grabbed momentum with a counter-offensive that rattled Russia's war effort. In Kherson, the Moscow-installed deputy head of the region said Friday that five civilians were killed in shelling by Kyiv's forces, as Ukrainian forces push their counter-offensive to reclaim the area.

Cambodian opposition politician loses defamation case
Cambodian opposition politician loses defamation case
World
by  AFP

A prominent Cambodian opposition politician with Australian citizenship was convicted of defamation on Friday for criticising local elections in which strongman leader Hun Sen's party won a landslide victory. Prime Minister Hun Sen's party won a landslide in local elections in June, taking roughly 80 percent of seats.

Iran says Mahsa Amini died of illness rather than 'blows'
Iran says Mahsa Amini died of illness rather than 'blows'
World
by  AFP

Iran said Friday an investigation into the death in custody of Mahsa Amini found she lost her life to illness rather than reported beatings that sparked three weeks of bloody protests. Anger over her death has sparked the biggest wave of protests to rock Iran in almost three years and a crackdown that has killed dozens of protesters and seen scores arrested.

Meta warns of password stealing phone apps
Meta warns of password stealing phone apps
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Meta warned a million Facebook users Friday that they have been "exposed" to seemingly innocuous smartphone applications designed to steal passwords to the social network. "We will notify one million users that they may have been exposed to these applications; that is not to say they have been compromised."

Ireland voices hope of end to post-Brexit trade row in N.Ireland
Ireland voices hope of end to post-Brexit trade row in N.Ireland
Business and Economy
by  AFP

Ireland's foreign minister Simon Coveney on Friday gave hope of an end to wrangling over post-Brexit trading rules in Northern Ireland, as talks resumed to break the impasse. The deal, signed separately from the Brexit trade agreement that took the UK out of the European Union, effectively keeps Northern Ireland within the European single market and customs union.

Adidas puts partnership with Kanye West 'under review'
Adidas puts partnership with Kanye West 'under review'
Business and Economy
by  AFP

German sportswear giant Adidas said Friday it was reconsidering its partnership with Kanye West after the US rap star reportedly became disgruntled with how the brand was marketing his products. West and retail brand Gap also announced an end to a partnership last month, with the artist saying he had plans to open his own stores.