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Fresh strikes rocked Iran and Lebanon on Friday, as Israel vowed to escalate to a new phase in the Middle East war that has spiralled rapidly throughout the region and beyond.

Asian markets were mixed Friday as the war in the Middle East showed no sign of ending, though there was some reprieve from the surge in oil prices after the United States looked to ease supply concerns.

Sri Lanka on Friday denounced the toll of the Mideast fighting, as the nation opened its arms to over 200 Iranian sailors who sought help after a deadly torpedo strike on another of Iran's ships.

Japan's Naoya Inoue said Friday that he will have to be at his destructive best for his "historic" showdown against dangerous countryman Junto Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome next month.

Italy is once again challenging the EU's green transition, pushing for an overhaul of the bloc's carbon trading scheme and changing the way the tool operates to try to cut electricity bills.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri powered to the quickest time ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in second practice for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Friday as drivers grappled with sweeping new engine changes.

Australia's online regulator warned porn websites they must block under-18s from Monday under sweeping new restrictions to protect children.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Hungary on Friday of taking "hostage" a group of Ukrainian bank employees who were reportedly transporting $40 million and nine kilograms of gold.

Aston Martin chief Adrian Newey said Friday that a vibration issue plaguing their cars was "sucking all energy" out of the team with star driver Fernando Alonso in "a hard mental place".

Japan has approved ground-breaking stem-cell treatments for Parkinson's and severe heart failure, one of the manufacturers and media reports said Friday, with the therapies expected to reach patients within months.

Heavy attacks were reported in Tehran on Friday after Israel said it was hitting "regime infrastructure" in a "new phase" of the war it launched with the United States against Iran.

Three-time champions North Korea extended their perfect start to the Women's Asian Cup with a 5-0 demolition of outclassed Bangladesh on Friday.

Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai will not appeal his national security conviction that saw him sentenced to 20 years behind bars last month, his legal team said Friday, without providing a reason.

At least eight people died on Thursday when a nursing home collapsed in the southern Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, as firefighters searched through the rubble for four missing people.

The Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics start on Friday with an opening ceremony clouded by a boycott by several countries in protest at Russian athletes competing under their national flag for the first time since 2014.

Charles Leclerc outpaced Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton to top the timesheets in first practice for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Friday as drivers grappled with sweeping new engine changes.

Most stocks in Asia fell Friday as the war in the Middle East showed no sign of ending, though there was some reprieve from the surge in oil prices after the United States looked to ease supply concerns.

Counting was underway in Nepal on Friday, after a high-stakes parliamentary election that could reshape the country's leadership following 2025 protests that toppled the government.

Former Italy coach Nick Mallett believes that the Azzurri's half-backs -- brothers Alessandro and Paolo Garbisi -- hold the key to recording a first ever victory over England.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend's admiration for France's "pure, instinctive rugby" means he well understands what his side will be up against when they try to derail Les Bleus' bid for yet more Six Nations glory at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar will face stiff competition from teenage French sensation Paul Seixas when he begins his 2026 season bidding for a record fourth Strade Bianche title on Saturday.

Petrobras, Brazil's majority state-owned oil company, said Thursday that its profits nearly tripled last year thanks to record oil and gas output.

Arsenal head to Mansfield and Chelsea face Wrexham in the FA Cup fifth round, with the Premier League clubs aiming to avoid embarrassing giant-killings, while Liverpool bid to avenge a painful defeat at Wolves.

Venezuela and the United States are restoring diplomatic ties, the two countries announced Thursday, in a new sign of thawing relations after Washington ousted former president Nicolas Maduro.

The raging Iran war, which has spread across the Middle East and beyond, entered its seventh day Friday after Israeli forces announced a "next phase" in the conflict and bombed Beirut's southern suburbs.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams was sent crashing out at Indian Wells on Thursday, falling in three sets to French qualifier Diane Parry.

The latest Iranian missile barrage sparked a wave of explosions across Tel Aviv as firefighters worked to contain a blaze at a residential building near Israel's commercial hub on Friday.

Venezuela has promised safe conditions for foreign mining companies keen to invest in the country, a US official said Thursday, as Washington announced it will restore diplomatic ties with Caracas.

Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honor of their 2025 MLS Cup championship.

Igor Tudor claims troubled Tottenham's dismal 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace on Thursday has convinced him they will avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Daniel Berger made nine birdies in a flawless round as he stormed to an impressive three-stroke lead on day one of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

Morocco parted company with coach Walid Regragui on Thursday, three months before the World Cup, with the country's football federation naming Mohamed Ouahbi as his replacement.