Romanian writer Cartarescu hails books as balm in turmoil
In an age of "overwhelming evil" and "generalised lies", Romanian novelist Mircea Cartarescu, a weaver of literary fantasies born from a childhood under a totalitarian regime, bets on writing to resist.
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Afghanistan opium poppy cultivation surges despite Taliban govt ban: UN
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan more than quadrupled in 2026 despite a Taliban government ban, the United Nations said Thursday, urging that impoverished farmers needed alternatives to the lucrative crop.
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Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga face long road to redemption in China
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga have apologised for the superstar striker's comments about Mao Zedong, but the damage to their reputation in China won't be easily or quickly repaired, experts say.
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No World Series miracle for weary Rays
After defying expectations with an American League-best 98 regular-season wins, sweeping the New York Yankees and besting Cleveland, the Tampa Bay Rays endured an all-too familiar World Series finish.
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North Korea fires 'around a dozen' ballistic missiles into East Sea
North Korea fired "around a dozen" short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Thursday, Seoul's defence ministry said, less than a week after South Korea proposed talks over a growing border row.
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Miami Heat earn first win of NBA season with Antetokounmpo
The Miami Heat finally earned their first win since the start of the season and the arrival of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 129-117 on Wednesday.
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Brewers catcher Contreras named World Series MVP
Milwaukee's veteran catcher William Contreras was named World Series Most Valuable Player on Wednesday after excelling at the plate and behind it in the Brewers' triumph over the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Brewers beat Rays 4-1 to capture first World Series title
The Milwaukee Brewers won the first World Series title in franchise history on Wednesday, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 to clinch victory in Major League Baseball's championship showcase.
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Asian stock markets fluctuate after mixed tech results
Tech firms diverged Thursday with a mixed bag of results for some of the AI sector's big beasts tempering the recent spurt of optimism amid growing anxiety about companies' investment and debt.
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Philippine island fights rising seas with nature, not concrete
For years, residents of a flood-prone Philippine island north of Manila have elevated their homes atop layer upon layer of concrete, only to see floodwaters threaten them again.
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