False information spreading online was rife ahead of India's national elections. In one case, a video of popular actor Allu Arjun waving to crowds circulated in Facebook posts falsely claiming it showed him campaigning on behalf of the oppostion Congress party. The clip in fact shows Arjun taking part in the India Day Parade in New York in August 2022.
The dollar held firm on Wednesday, recouping some of the losses stemming from renewed bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, while the yen weakened for a third day, keeping investors wary of the risk of intervention from Tokyo. In Europe, the Swedish crown came under pressure after the central bank cut interest rates and said it expected two more cuts this year, while the pound was stuck in negative territory ahead of a Bank of England meeting the next day. The yen remained front of mind for currency traders, weakening for a third day and prompting Japanese officials to issue a stronger warning over the impact of the weak currency on the economy.
Russia warned France on Wednesday that if President Emmanuel Macron sent troops to Ukraine then they would be seen as legitimate targets by the Russian military. Macron caused controversy in February by saying he could not rule out the deployment of ground troops in Ukraine in the future. The French leader warned that if Russia wins in Ukraine then Europe's credibility will be reduced to zero.