AI-generated doctors in health ads must be labelled: S. Korean govt

Current guidelines have no provisions covering AI-generated characters.

Waiting for DeepSeek: New model to test China’s AI ambitions

Despite reports and rumours about its imminent release, the "V4" model is nowhere in sight.

George Clooney Blasts White House’s ‘Infantile Name Calling’ Amid Trump’s Iran War Threats

"Families are losing their loved ones. Children have been incinerated," said the actor. "The world’s economy is on a knife’s edge"

Watch: Pope Leo XIV spins basketball on his finger, with help from Harlem Globetrotters

US exhibition squad, the Harlem Globetrotters, met the pontiff in the Vatican, helping him to spin a basketball on the tip of his finger.

How Thailand’s gas bet is driving up costs - and pollution

Thailand’s dependence on gas is coming under renewed scrutiny as rising costs and global disruptions expose economic and environmental risks embedded in its power system.

George Santos says he's becoming a first-time parent

Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who had a brief but notable stint in Congress in 2023, said he is becoming a parent for the first time. “So, we are having kids next year, and that's a big deal for us,” Santos said on Meghan McCain’s livestreamed show “Citizen McCain.”

Lights, camera, algorithm: China’s AI microdramas go viral - but spark copyright fears

While massively popular among young Chinese social media users, AI microdramas are fuelling concerns that the technology is eroding copyright - and potentially livelihoods.

Escaped wolf forces school closure in South Korea

The male wolf had escaped from a zoo at a theme park in Daejeon.

Chinese researcher's death after questioning in US prompts anger in Beijing

The semiconductor researcher was found dead after “hostile questioning” by US law enforcement.

As U.S. retreats, Iran seeks to sway cease-fire to establish new regional order

Tehran aims now not only to remove Trump's threat that the Iranian 'civilization will die' and to settle passage in the strait, but also to draw out a new map of regional control in a security agreement under which it preserves the status of a regional power

Soaring petrol prices are hurting more than your wallet

Australians don't need an economist to tell them they're hurting at the petrol pump. They feel it every time they pull into a service station, every time they rethink a planned holiday, or every time they've had to squeeze another household bill to fill the tank. But the cost

China taps telecom executive as senior colonel for reserve force

Senior colonel is the highest officer rank in China's Reserve Force.

‘The Housemaid’ Author Freida McFadden Reveals Her True Identity: ‘I’m Tired of This Being a Secret’

“The Housemaid” author Freida McFadden said during a recent interview with USA Today that “it’s time” to unveil her true identity. She said her real name is Sara Cohen, and she works as a brain doctor when not writing books. “I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this

Iran oil shock stirs memories of 1997 Asian Financial Crisis — but here’s why history may not repeat itself

The Hormuz disruption is hammering Asian economies with surging energy costs and weakening currencies, but a repeat of the crisis three decades ago is unlikely.

US senator urges Taiwan parliament to pass stalled defence spending plan

Bay Area-based tech company announces shocking layoff of nearly a quarter of its workforce

The tech company becomes the latest to announce shocking number of layoffs, gutting nearly a quarter of its workforce.

Trump slams NATO after meeting with Mark Rutte

President Trump went after the NATO alliance following a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte -- comments that came after the Trump administration had recently expressed frustration with members of the alliance. “NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T

Respiratory viruses lingering longer than usual this year

While spring has officially begun, concerns about respiratory viruses are lingering longer than usual, with cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cropping up later than expected and a new COVID-19 variant spreading across much of the country. The Centers for Disease

Iran's economy was weak before the war, now it's worse

Even before the war in sanctions-hit Iran, inflation was running at nearly 50 percent and anger over the economy had fuelled massive anti-government protests. After more than five weeks of conflict, problems have only mounted. Beyond the daily fear of attacks, the most

Key Indian state polls begin in test for Modi's party

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to expand into regions where it has struggled to gain a foothold.

Spotted a jellyfish bloom recently? Here's what may have triggered it

On a calm summer's morning in southern Australia, the water can look deceptively clear, until you see thousands of gelatinous shapes washing ashore. In January, thousands of pink lion's mane jellyfish washed into Port Phillip Bay, prompting beach warnings and startling swimmers

What disappearing Farm Fresh milk on Malaysian shelves says about the fuel crisis

From milk to shampoo, a plastic squeeze has sent ripples across Malaysia.

Military service draws men in Thailand as sluggish economy squeezes job prospects

Voluntary enlistment in the South-east Asian nation has climbed steadily over the past five years.

Trump criticises Nato as alliance chief describes meeting as 'very frank'

The US president says Nato "wasn't there when we needed them" during the Iran war.

Olivia Munn Says Male Co-Star Refused to Film Scene Being Saved by Woman and Stopped Production for ’45 Minutes’: ‘She Can’t Save Me. We’re Not Doing This’

Olivia Munn said during a recent appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” that one of her former male co-stars refused to be saved by her in a scene and stopped production for “45 minutes” to fight off the story beat. “There have been a few times where I’ve been filming

Uruguay considers relocating HIF Global's green hydrogen megaplant to ease tensions with Argentina

Uruguay's government is considering relocating within the department of Paysandú the synthetic fuels plant planned by multinational HIF Global, in an effort to simultaneously defuse diplomatic tensions with Argentina and advance what would be the largest private investment in

Oil prices rise as traders eye fragile US-Iran ceasefire

The cost of crude plunged on Wednesday after a deal was announced that includes the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Five Australian animals that could be extinct by 2050

Some 39 Australian mammals have gone extinct since Australia was colonized in 1788.

Latin America faces fertilizer vulnerability; IICA and TFI agree joint plan amid Hormuz crisis

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the U.S.-based Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced a partnership to secure fertilizer supply across the Americas, amid logistical disruptions and price volatility worsened by the closure of the Strait of

Genetic markers fast-track breeding of seedless muscadine grapes

Using new genetic markers, fruit breeders can now tell whether grapes will be seedless and self-pollinating even years before vines bear fruit. The approach will save time and resources in the pursuit of creating flavorful new grape varieties, including the major challenge of

Brazilian judge suspends 12% crude oil export tax for five international oil companies

A federal judge in Rio de Janeiro issued a preliminary injunction suspending the 12% crude oil export tax for five international companies operating in Brazil: Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, Repsol Sinopec and Petrogal. The ruling represents an initial court victory for the oil

Emmanuel Macron condemns Lebanon strikes, says he's spoken with country's leaders

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday criticized recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon and said he’s spoken with its leaders, following a U.S.-Iranian ceasefire being on shaky ground do to the strikes. “I have just spoken with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime

WGA West Urged by State Senator to Reach Deal With Striking Staffers

The Writers Guild of America has reached a deal with the studios, but most of the staff of its West local remains on strike. In a letter on Wednesday, California Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas urged the guild to bring an end to the 51-day work stoppage. “Every day this strike

Do you know this mage? Test your knowledge of the gaming arcane with our quiz on magical allies and villains

Get familiar with the ancient texts.

L.A. Olympics Chief Casey Wasserman ‘Deserves Our Support,’ Says Power Lawyer Patricia L. Glaser at Variety’s Power of Law Event

Entertainment industry leaders including “The Housemaid” director Paul Feig and leading attorney Patricia L. Glaser headlined Variety’s Power of Law breakfast on Wednesday. Presented by City National Bank, attendees gathered in Los Angeles to hear from dealmakers and litigators

US senator urges Taiwan Parliament to pass stalled defence spending plan

The Senator called for Taiwan to pass stalled special defence budget.

Pooh Shiesty Denied Bail in Gucci Mane Kidnapping Case: ‘Credible Evidence Presented’

Shiesty's lawyer, Bradford Cohen, argues the case is "very questionable" and based on a "mystery contract" that doesn't exist

Study reveals that bottom trawling catches thousands of fish species, including those most at risk

More than 3,000 fish species have been caught in bottom trawls, with estimates suggesting the true number could be nearly double, according to the world's first global inventory.

Steven Soderbergh Wants to Use “A Lot of AI” for Planned Wagner Moura Movie

Earlier in a recent interview, the director noted that he was using AI for his upcoming John Lennon and Yoko Ono documentary.

‘Scrubs’ Star John C. McGinley On Dr. Cox’s Health Crisis, How It Changes His Dynamic With J.D. and Whether He’ll Be Back for Season 2

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for Season 1, Episode 8 of the “Scrubs” revival, “My Odds,” which aired Wednesday on ABC (and posts Thursday on Hulu). Physician, heal thyself. Dr. Perry Cox (played by John C. McGinley) hasn’t been seen on the 2026 “Scrubs” revival

North Korea holds three days of weapons testing: KCNA

The systems tested included ballistic missiles, cluster bombs and a mobile short-range anti-aircraft missile system, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

Ian McKellen ‘Fell in Love With’ Johnny Depp on ‘Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol’ Set: ‘He’s in Spankingly Good Form’

Sir Ian McKellen says he “fell in love with” Johnny Depp after working together on “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol.” “He’s in spankingly good form,” McKellen told Variety on Wednesday evening at “The Christophers” New York premiere. “Effervescent, funny, irreverent, serious — all

Water conservation works, but climate change is outpacing it: Phoenix, Denver and Las Vegas show the future

When a drought turns into an urban water crisis, a city's first step is often to limit lawn watering and launch a campaign to encourage everyone to conserve. It might raise water-use rates or offer incentives for installing low-flow devices.

Sam Asghari Wraps Starring Role in Action Short Inspired by Iranian Refugee Stories (EXCLUSIVE)

Sam Asghari has wrapped his starring role in the action thriller short, “The Good American.” Asghari stars as Ben, an Iranian refugee and rideshare driver in Los Angeles who becomes entangled in a criminal underground when a passenger (Max Reeves) asks him to help save her twin

Appeals court rejects Anthropic's bid to temporarily halt Pentagon designation

A federal appeals court has rejected Anthropic's bid to temporarily halt the Pentagon's labeling of the artificial intelligence company as a supply chain risk, finding the firm failed to meet the strict requirements for an emergency stay. The order, issued Wednesday evening by

Can Adam Driver’s Axed ‘Star Wars’ Movie ‘The Hunt For Ben Solo’ Be Revived Under New Disney CEO? Soderbergh Says ‘Nope’: ‘If It Was Gonna Happen, It Would’ve’

Stephen Soderbergh has no intention of reviving “The Hunt for Ben Solo” under Disney’s new leadership. During an interview with “The Playlist” on the press tour for his latest directorial effort, “The Christophers,” the filmmaker said “nope” when asked if he was trying to

22,000 students told to pay back 'mis-sold' maintenance loans

Those affected have been told their courses were never eligible for maintenance or childcare loans

A 'stemness checkpoint' helps control stem cell identity

A study published in Cell Research advances a central idea in stem cell biology by identifying a checkpoint that controls the identity of many different types of stem cells across developmental stages. For nearly two decades, scientists have understood that stem cell