China: Top novelist dies in apparent suicide

Chiung Yao, arguably the world’s most popular Chinese language romance novelist, has died in an apparent suicide. The 86-year-old’s body was found in her home in New Taipei City on…

Spain: Man falls to death while creating social media content

A man who fell from a 192m (630ft) tall bridge in Spain while creating social media content died from head injuries, an inquest has heard. Lewis Stevenson, who lived in…

Irania: Rapper Toomaj Salehi freed after death sentence overturned

An Iranian rapper who was sentenced to death for supporting anti-government protests has been released from prison after two years. Toomaj Salehi was arrested in October 2022 after publicly supporting protests…

Belgium: Malian singer Rokia Traoré detained in child custody row

One of Africa’s best known musicians – the Malian singer Rokia Traoré – has reportedly been imprisoned in Belgium as part of an ongoing child custody dispute. The 50-year-old is…

UK: Conservative leader Badenoch blame Labour for Kneecap settlement

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said it is “unbelievable” that the Labour government have decided to no longer contest a discrimination case brought by Belfast rap group Kneecap. The…

S Koea: K-Pop group NewJeans split from agency in mistreatment row

Chart-topping K-pop group NewJeans have said they are leaving their agency after accusing it of “mistreatment” and “manipulation”. The five-member girl band announced their departure from Ador, a subsidiary of…

UK: Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint to pay £1.8m after losing tax battle

Former Harry Potter star Rupert Grint has been ordered to pay £1.8m in tax after losing a legal battle with HM Revenue & Customs.Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the…

Australia: Senate approves under-16s social media ban

Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media, after its Senate approved the world’s strictest laws. The ban – which will not take effect for at least 12…

UK: Man arrested after secret filming shared on TikTok

A man has been arrested after women were filmed on nights out without their knowledge and the videos were shared on social media. Such films had gained millions of views…

USA: Duct-taped banana artwork sells for $6.2m

Maurizio Cattelan’s provocative artwork of a banana duct-taped to a wall has fetched $6.2m (£4.9m) at Sotheby’s in New York – four times higher than pre-sale estimates. The auction house…