Seizures and warrants involve Chinese-Cambodian tycoon Chen Zhi, who heads US-sanctioned Prince Group, and Cambodians Kok An and Yim Leak

Thailand has seized assets worth more than $300m, including shares in a major regional energy company, and issued arrest warrants for 42 people in a high-profile push against regional scam networks, officials said on Wednesday.

Parts of south-east Asia, including the border areas between Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, have become hubs for online fraud, with criminal networks earning billions from illegal compounds where trafficking victims are often forced to work.

• Robbie Williams will also perform at Friday’s event

• Trump expected to receive Fifa’s new peace award

Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli and the Village People are to perform as part of a “world-class entertainment line-up” during Friday’s draw for the 2026 men’s football World Cup. The draw for next year’s tournament will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, with model and TV personality Heidi Klum, comedian Kevin Hart and actor Danny Ramirez co-hosting the event.

The Village People will perform YMCA to cap off an event that promises have distinctly Trumpian overtones. The disco hit became a staple at Donald Trump’s campaign rallies and Mar-a-Lago fundraisers.

The UN office on drugs and crime said in a report the growth underscores Myanmar’s position as the world’s main known source of illicit opium

Opium poppy cultivation in war-torn Myanmar has surged to its highest level in a decade, according to the UN, rising 17% in the past year as conflict and economic hardship push more farmers into the illicit trade.

Poppy cultivation climbed to 53,100 hectares this year from 45,200 hectares in 2024, the UN office on drugs and crime (UNODC) said in a report, underlining Myanmar’s position as the world’s main known source of illicit opium amid declining production in Afghanistan.

A vote could be held on whether Israel can participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest

An Ebola outbreak was declared in Congo in early September

Albanese becomes first Australian prime minister to tie the knot while in office

The European Parliament agreed on a resolution calling for a minimum age of 16 on social media

Shares in British betting and gaming firms, including Entain, William Hill UK, Evoke, and Flutter, tumbled after the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) announced upcoming increases in gambling duties.

Chauncey Billups’ lawyer entered his plea in a Brooklyn federal court on Monday

New York Giants have fired their defensive coordinator after they were beaten by the Detroit Lions on Sunday

India, US, Japan, and Brazil backed withdrawal of earlier directive

Lionel Messi was involved in all four goals as Inter Miami thrashed FC Cincinnati on Sunday night

Health Minister Christopher Tufton announced on Friday that nine cases were confirmed