Researchers report Stone Age sign sequences on objects from a German cave that are said to date to the period when Homo sapiens moved into Europe, and they describe these signs as an early alternative to later writing systems such as those of Mesopotamia and Egypt.
About 1,000 former pupils and staff have booked tours of the 1961 Dumfries High School ahead of its demolition, and a new building is due to open in May.
The state pension will rise from early April 2026, with those who retired since 2016 reported to receive about £44 extra a month and older pensioners about £36. The new rates were calculated under the triple lock and move the full state pension closer to the £12,570 personal allowance.
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck between Tenerife and Gran Canaria and was widely felt across both islands; scientists say it is not linked to recent seismic swarms beneath Mount Teide and an eruption is not imminent.
Lily Collins described speaking about her past eating disorder as "one of the most terrifying but rewarding experiences" and said her recovery is ongoing.
Henan Kuangshan Crane held an end-of-year party where cash was placed on hundreds of banquet tables and employees were allowed to take money; the owner, Cui Peijun, has previously given large cash distributions after a profitable year.
Scientists using the ALMA telescope in Chile released the largest-ever image of the Milky Way's central region, showing long, thin filaments of gas that trace flows toward star-forming areas.
Senior Democrats expressed concern after a classified briefing involving Marco Rubio about possible US military action in Iran, and House Democrats said they will force a vote next week to summon the president to explain his plans.
The European Commission said member states can use existing European Social Fund allocations to help citizens travel for legal abortion services, following the My Voice, My Choice campaign. Campaigners welcomed the decision while some groups said it conflicts with national health policy.
The Premier League plans to launch a TV app called "Premflix", and a Telegraph article discusses potential challenges the move faces.
