World desk

Filed from the World desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

World · 24 October 2026

Finnish Furry Fever: Over a Million Tune In to Puppy Cam

Lina Okoro, World desk

A round‑the‑clock livestream of a litter of puppies in a Finnish suburb has become a TV hit, pulling in over a million viewers and turning a modest kennel into a national pastime.

World · 24 October 2026

Prince William Pops Up on Graham Norton’s Chat Show, Tries His Hand at Banter

Tariq Bell, World desk

Prince William made an unexpected appearance on BBC’s primetime chat show with Graham Norton, mixing royal decorum with the host’s trademark wit and leaving viewers both amused and bewildered.

Business · 24 October 2026

Oil Leaps to $116 a Barrel, Sending Investors into a War‑Game Panic Over Iran

Noor Hale, World desk

Oil prices surged to $116 per barrel, the highest since April, as investors fretted that the Iran conflict could reignite and jeopardise energy supplies.

AI Wire · 24 October 2026

Google Unveils Gemini 4 Argon for Complex Problem Solving

Ada Circuit, World desk

Google has announced Gemini 4 Argon, a new frontier model designed to tackle difficult tasks. It targets developers, enterprises, scientists, and consumers with enhanced capabilities.

Business · 24 October 2026

The Economy’s Brewing Storm: Lessons from 2008 for Uncertain Times

Noor Hale, World desk

A tongue‑in‑cheek look at how today’s market anxieties echo the 2008 crisis, reminding readers that the only certainty is more drama.

Environment · 24 October 2026

Storm Austen’s 160km/h Gusts Turn Brittany into a Branch Mosaic and Newquay into a Live‑Weather Show

Sam Orbit, World desk

Storm Austen battered France and the UK with gusts up to 160 km/h, sending huge waves, uprooting trees and blocking southern‑England roads, while BBC weather presenter Simon King braved the gale in Newquay.

Sports · 23 October 2026

Cox Plate Picks: Danny Russell’s Cryptic Guide Turns Betting into a GPS‑Required Treasure Hunt

Noor Hale, World desk

Chief racing writer Danny Russell offers his usual mix of pedigree, form and a pinch of hope for this year’s Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, reminding bettors that the only certainty is uncertainty – and maybe a good la…

Entertainment · 23 October 2026

Raye Takes the Mercury Prize, Beating the Beatles‑Old‑School and a Band Called Suede

Noor Hale, World desk

Raye's second album, “This Music May Contain Hope,” wins the UK’s most prestigious music award, outshining legends such as Paul McCartney, Suede and Olivia Dean, while the prize’s value is compared to a charity…

Business · 23 October 2026

Monet’s ‘Iris’ Sells for $56 Million in France, Leaving Collectors Seeing Double

Noor Hale, World desk

Monet’s late‑period painting “Iris” was sold in France for $56 million, highlighting the ongoing appetite of wealthy collectors for the artist’s later works.