UN reports a sharp rise in Afghanistan poppy cultivation despite a Taliban ban

Hello Kitty maker cuts ties with Japanese spy drama after China backlash

Sanrio has apologised after its merchandise line with Japanese TV series Vivant drew criticism.

Dictionary.com's 2026 word of the year: Why was ‘Maxxing’ chosen for the coveted crown? Meaning, usage, history and more

Dictionary.com named maxxing its 2026 Word of the Year, citing a sharp rise in usage and its spread across topics from sleep and fitness to AI and politics. 

Winning Powerball numbers and prizes for Thursday 29 October

Derek McInnes clashes with Hearts manager in fiesty handshake on Tynecastle return

McInnes joked he had expected Hearts successor Wouter Vrancken to thank him for leaving behind ‘such a strong squad’

‘Dear Charlie...’ Letter Brian Jones wrote to future Rolling Stones drummer up for auction

In a handwritten letter sent to ‘Mr C Watts’ on 3 June 1962, Stones co-founder Jones complained to Charlie Watts, then playing in a rival band, of their ‘atrocious’ drummer and urged him to join their fledgling rock group

Israel election race in deadlock

Israel's election race is in a deadlock, with neither major party securing enough seats to govern by themselves.

Lloyds reports profit increase as bank gets boost from higher rates

The results come a day after the Chancellor said in the Budget that he would be temporarily hiking bank taxes.

Spain high-speed train crash death toll rises to 68

URDA, Spain —A high-speed train collision south of Madrid killed 68 people and injured scores more on Wednesday, authorities said, in one of Europe’s deadliest such disasters this century. The second such accident to strike Spain this year will raise fresh questions about the country’s rail safety, with the transport minister speaking of an “error”

Singapore-based petrochemical firm recovers US$12.8 million lost in business email scam

The Singapore Police Force worked with its Cambodian counterpart and OCBC to recover the money from a fraudulent bank account in Cambodia.

Girl, 8, mauled by wolf at European wildlife park

Israel Election Deadlock: What Happens After A Hung Parliament, How Herzog Picks Who Forms Govt

President Isaac Herzog plays a key constitutional role in this process, particularly when an election produces no clear majority for a single party.

South Korean prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law debacle

A South Korean special prosecutor has demanded the death penalty for ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol