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By James Mackenzie, Reuters Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defence system over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel. Photo: AFP / JALAA MAREY Israel bombed southern Lebanon on Thursday and said it had thwarted an Iran-backed assassination plot, a day after explosions of Hezbollah radios followed blasts in booby trapped pagers, setting the foes hurtling towards war. The sophisticated attacks on communications equipment used by Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah have sown disarray in Lebanon, and are increasingly viewed as heralding a return to all-out war, last fought 18 years ago. Hand-held radios used by Hezbollah detonated on Wednesday across Lebanon's south in the country's deadliest day since cross-border fighting erupted betwe...

The curtains have been pulled back on one of the royal family's most infamous interviews in a compelling new drama series. A Very Royal Scandal follows what went on in the lead up to the 2019 BBC Newsnight interview between journalist Emily Maitlis and Queen Elizabeth's second son, Prince Andrew. During the interview, the 64-year-old prince publicly addressed sexual assault allegations and his involvement with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for the first time. What was the BBC Newsnight interview? Prince Andrew had faced turmoil over his ties to Epstein after he was spotted visiting him in 2010, when the US financier was released from prison for pleading guilty to prostituting minors. Epstein's death, aged 66 in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges,...

(FILE) Photo dated 28 May 2000 shows coup leader George Speight announcing at Parliament House in Suva that he plans to rule Fijiby decree. Photo: AFP / TORSTEN BLACKWOOD The man behind the 2000 coup in Fiji, George Speight, and the head of the mutineers, former soldier Shane Stevens have been granted Presidential pardons. In a statement on Thursday, the Fiji Correction Service said the pair were among seven prisoners who were granted pardons by the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere after recommendations by the Mercy Commission. "These pardons were formally granted on 18 September 2024. As a result, the named individuals have been officially discharged from custody today, Thursday, 19 September 2024," the statement said. "The Fiji Correction Service and the government remain committed t...

By Eva Gallot of The viral Dubai chocolate creator is flattered by international recreations of the dessert. Photo: Stuff / House of Chocolate It's no secret that social media has been obsessed with the viral Dubai chocolate, but the original creator of the culinary trend told CNN she didn't think it would reach globally. Sarah Hamouda, founder of FIX, aka 'Freaking Incredible Experience', started her business in 2021 as a side hustle. Inspired by her pregnancy cravings, Hamouda set out to create something different than the "typical" chocolate fix. The bars have fillings based on Middle Eastern flavours like karak (spiced tea blend), dates and knafeh, an Arabic dessert with shredded pastry, pistachios, sweet cheese and syrup. Hamouda told CNN she's "awed" by the gl...

By Rebecca Armitage and Basel Hindeleh for the ABC Thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies have blown up in a coordinated attack in Lebanon. Photo: AFP / Anwar Amro It was early afternoon in Lebanon when pagers clipped to the belts of thousands of men beeped simultaneously. Some were shopping for groceries, others were winding their motorbikes through heavy traffic, but the men apparently had one thing in common. They all appear to have been linked to the Lebanese militant Shia Muslim group and major political party, Hezbollah. The pagers flashed a message that looked to be from Hezbollah's leadership, according to the New York Times. But then, according to witnesses and CCTV footage, the beepers became extremely hot and suddenly exploded, leaving horrifying wounds to the stomachs, ha...