The traditional ritual of Paantu, in which masked gods covered in mud ward off evil spirits, took place on October 28th in Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture, filling the village with laughter and screams. (News On Japan)

Bear sightings have surged across Japan, and in Gifu Prefecture’s Shirakawa Village—home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go—local authorities held a nighttime drill on October 28th to prepare for possible emergencies. (News On Japan)

The number of disciplinary actions at public elementary and junior high schools in Aichi Prefecture during the first half of 2025 has exceeded three times that of the same period last year, prompting growing concern among parents over how to engage with schools. (News On Japan)

Hokkaido is now in the peak of autumn foliage season, with its vast landscape dotted by countless scenic spots displaying vibrant colors unique to each location. From golden ginkgo-lined avenues stretching nearly 380 meters to crimson leaves reflecting off blue lakes, visitors can experience the full spectrum of autumn hues. (News On Japan)

Crew of Coral Adventurer only realised the 80-year-old Australian was missing hours after they left Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef.

The debate over the change in legislation gained renewed urgency following the mass rape trial which shocked France last year.

The debate over the change in legislation gained renewed urgency following the mass rape trial which shocked France last year.

The trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, the 45-year-old accused of fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, began on October 28th at the Nara District Court. While Yamagami has admitted to killing Abe, the central issue now lies in determining his sentence. (News On Japan)

The Paris prosecutor says the jewels are not yet recovered and there could be a bigger gang behind the theft.

JR Central announced that the construction cost of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen between Shinagawa and Nagoya is now expected to increase by 4 trillion yen from the previously planned 7 trillion yen, bringing the total to 11 trillion yen. (News On Japan)

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen. (News On Japan)

US President Trump says "nothing" will jeopardise the two-week-old ceasefire despite the flare-up of violence.

RSF troops executed a number of unarmed people after seizing el-Fasher, videos reviewed by BBC Verify show.

Bucharest said between 900 and 1,000 American troops would remain stationed in Romania - down from 1,700.

Two WFP officials are give 72 hours to leave without explanation - days after a key city falls to the RSF.

Seoul will also invest $350bn in the US as part of the deal, which Donald Trump says is "pretty much finalised".

The notes were thrown overboard just a few days into a voyage to join the battlefields of France more than a century ago.

The notes were thrown overboard just a few days into a voyage to join the battlefields of France more than a century ago.

Seoul will also invest $350bn in the US as part of the deal, which Donald Trump says is "pretty much finalised".

Ben Cohen says he will independently create the new watermelon flavour in support of "permanent peace in Palestine".