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US oil blockade on Cuba 'energy starvation': UN experts
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Zelensky warns against attending Russia's parade as Moscow repeats threats
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IOC lifts Olympic ban on Belarus but Russia 'still suspended'
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IMF warns of 'inevitable' AI-powered threats to global financial system
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Brighton boss Hurzeler agrees new three-year deal
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WHO says now five confirmed cruise ship hantavirus cases
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Spurs boss De Zerbi shrugs off criticism of win over weakened Villa
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Sinner demands 'respect' from Grand Slams, Djokovic lends support in prize money row
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Germany warns tax revenues to be hit by Iran war
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Italy's tennis chief wants to break Grand Slam 'monopoly' with new major
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IOC rules out 'crossover' sports at 2030 Winter Olympics
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WHO warns of more hantavirus cases in 'limited' outbreak
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Real Madrid's Valverde treated in hospital after Tchouameni clash: reports
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EU prosecutors probe alleged misuse of funds linked to France's Bardella
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UK police officers probed over handling of Al-Fayed complaints
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Paolini begins Italian Open title defence by battling past Jeanjean
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Brazil must channel World Cup pressure into motivation: Luiz Henrique
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AI use surges globally but rich-poor divide widens, Microsoft says
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Carrick says strong finish matters more than his Man Utd future
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IOC lifts Olympic ban on Belarus but Russia still barred
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PSG set to wrap up Ligue 1 crown after reaching Champions League final
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Struggling Chelsea have 'foundations for success': interim boss McFarlane
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US underlines 'strong' Vatican ties after Rubio meets pope
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Defence giant Rheinmetall makes offer for further shipyard
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Royal and Ancient Golf Club names Claire Dowling as first woman captain in 272 years
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Portugal's last circus elephant becomes pioneer for European exiles
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Bruised Bayern 'already motivated' for next Champions League tilt
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Mbappe, Mourinho, meltdown: Real Madrid face Clasico amid chaos
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Ex-Germany defender Suele to retire aged 30
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Royal and Ancient Golf Club names first woman captain after 272 years
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Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler 'recuperating' after emergency surgery in Portugal
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US awaits Iran response to latest deal offer
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No tanks, no internet, simmering discontent: Putin to host nervous May 9 parade
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Bangladesh and Pakistan renew rivalry in first Test
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England captain Stokes '100 percent to bowl' on return to cricket
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Russia scolds ally Armenia for hosting Zelensky
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France's far-right leaders court Israel, Germany envoys ahead of vote
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Latest evacuee from hantavirus-hit cruise lands in Europe
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Rubio meets US pope in bid to ease tensions
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Women linked to IS fighters return to Australia from Middle East
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Shell profit jumps as Mideast war fuels oil prices
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Oil sinks, Tokyo leads Asia stock surge on growing Mideast peace hopes
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India vows to crush terror 'ecosystem', a year after Pakistan conflict
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Circus tackles jihadist nightmares of Burkina Faso's children
Problems posed by the edited Princess of Wales image
The modified official photo of Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her children did not respect "the ethical standards of the profession", said Agence France-Presse (AFP), which withdrew the portrait.
The global news agency was one of several leading outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters, Getty and Britain's domestic Press Association to "kill" the image, withdrawing it from distribution to clients.
- Key problems -
Analysis of the Mother's Day image, released on Sunday by Kate's Kensington Palace office, highlighted "several inconsistencies in alignments", AFP said.
They include:
- Misalignment of Kate's zip, and a dark visible line below
- A missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve
- Charlotte's hair ending abruptly on her shoulder.
The image, said to have been taken by Kate's husband and heir to the throne Prince William last week, was released after weeks of rumours about her health, after she underwent abdominal surgery in January.
The 42-year-old princess has not been seen in public since a Christmas Day church service on December 25, and is not expected to make a return to official royal duties until at least next month.
- AFP response to photo -
Eric Baradat, AFP's deputy news director in charge of photo, said the agency's photo editors in London consulted with their counterparts at other news agencies on Sunday about alterations to the photo.
They decided that the modifications were "in violation of the ethical standards of the profession", he said.
"As a result, they collectively agreed to remove the photo from their distribution platforms," Baradat added.
"From the outset, AFP had duly noted that it was distributing a photo provided by a third-party institution.
"AFP felt compelled to remove the photo to preserve the trust of its subscribers and maintain transparency to the public, especially in a society where manipulated images are prevalent."
Keen photographer Kate has taken several official portraits of her family that were distributed by the palace to media outlets.
"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she said on Monday, after the multiple "kill" notices further fuelled the speculation about her health and whereabouts.
"I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused," she added in a statement.
burs-phz/jj/jm
O.Lorenz--BTB