News

A luxury private jet owned by Cristiano Ronaldo departed Saudi Arabia overnight as tensions escalated in the region following drone strikes near the United States embassy in Riyadh.

The aircraft, valued at around £61 mln, left the country in the early hours while explosions were reported near the diplomatic compound. It remains unclear whether Ronaldo, who lives in the Saudi capital with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and his five children, was on board the flight.

According to Iranian state media, two drone attacks targeted the U.S. diplomatic headquarters in Riyadh during the night. Authorities have not yet provided full...

Global air passenger demand increased by 3.8% in January 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier, according to a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

International travel drove the growth, rising 5.9% year on year, while domestic passenger traffic edged up by just 0.1%. Overall capacity expanded by 3.5%, pushing the global load factor to a January record of 82%.

«Air cargo markets started the year on a strong note, though regional performance remains uneven. In the coming months, market dynamics will largely depend on geopolitical developments and changes in trade policy,» said IATA Director General...

Nearly 800 people have been killed in Iran since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Saturday, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

A separate estimate from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) reported 742 civilian deaths, including 176 children.

Fatemeh Mohammadbeigi, a member of Iran’s parliamentary health commission, said nine hospitals across the country had been struck, accusing both Israel and the U.S. of deliberately targeting medical facilities.

The Israeli military rejected claims that Gandhi Hospital in Tehran had been targeted, saying the strike in the area was not directed at the hospital...

A long-lost Rembrandt painting has been rediscovered and authenticated after decades out of public view.

The 1633 work, Vision of Zacharias in the Temple, was removed from the Dutch master’s official catalogue in 1960 and vanished after being sold to a private collector the following year.

It resurfaced when its owners submitted it for testing at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, which conducted a two-year examination.

«When I saw it in our studio during restoration, I was immediately struck by the incredible power it has,» said Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits.

He noted the museum often receives queries...

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, with global cases expected to exceed 3.5 mln by 2050, CNN reports.

High-income countries saw nearly a 30% drop in deaths between 1990 and 2023 thanks to screening, early detection and treatment. In contrast, deaths in low-income countries nearly doubled, highlighting a widening global gap, according to The Lancet Oncology.

In 2023, 2.3 mln women were diagnosed worldwide, with 764,000 deaths. Sub-Saharan Africa faces some of the highest mortality, at roughly 35 deaths per 100,000 people.

Experts blame insufficient healthcare infrastructure. Many countries lack surgery, radiation and systemic therapy, and...

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was buried Monday in a golden casket with large floral wreaths and a strong military presence in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara.

A federal official confirmed the burial, but requested anonymity. The Attorney General’s Office declined to confirm the location, citing security concerns. Dozens attended the funeral, many carrying black umbrellas under the sun, accompanied by a banda music band. Some floral arrangements featured a rooster, a reference to Oseguera Cervantes’ nickname, «Lord of the Roosters.»

Oseguera Cervantes was killed by the Mexican army just over...

North Korea marked their return to the Women’s Asian Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan, thanks to a first-half hat trick from Myong Yu-Jong.

The three-time champions, playing their first Asian Cup match since 2010, dominated the Group B opener in Parramatta, western Sydney. Myong scored all three goals within 41 minutes before being substituted just before half-time.

North Korea last competed in the tournament after losing the 2010 final to Australia, following a period of doping bans, poor results and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the long absence, the world No. 9 team showed their strength against...

Commercial banks in Uzbekistan issued loans worth 390 trln soums ($32 bn) in 2025, marking a nearly 36% increase compared with 2024, according to the Central Bank.

The regulator said the growth reflects stronger business activity and an expansion of financial support for the national economy.

Loans issued in the national currency were the main driver of the increase. In 2025 their volume reached 276.4 trln soums ($22.7 bn), up from 193.3 trln soums ($15.9 bn) a year earlier.

Individuals accounted for the largest share of these loans, receiving 156.8 trln soums ($12.9 bn). Legal entities borrowed 108.8 trln...

A senior figure in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said the Strait of Hormuz has been closed and warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway could be attacked, Reuters reports.

Ebrahim Jabari, an adviser to the Guards’ commander-in-chief, said Iranian forces would target ships trying to transit the strait. According to remarks reported by state media, both the Revolutionary Guards and Iran’s regular navy would act against vessels attempting to cross.

Key global oil route

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the...

Global stocks fell on Tuesday while the U.S. dollar strengthened as investors weighed the economic impact of American and Israeli strikes on Iran and the potential disruption to energy markets.

MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan dropped 1.5% for a second straight day, with South Korean shares falling as much as 4.1%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid 2.3%, while S&P 500 futures lost 0.6%.

Rupal Agarwal, Asia quantitative strategist at Bernstein, said geopolitical tensions are adding to already elevated economic policy uncertainty, recalling a similar situation during the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 that weighed on Asian markets.

Oil prices continued rising...

India and Canada have launched a new defence dialogue and signed a series of agreements covering uranium supply and critical minerals following high-level talks in New Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday, with officials announcing 25 outcomes from the bilateral discussions, including the formal launch of the India–Canada defence dialogue.

According to a joint statement, the new framework will institutionalise regular exchanges on defence policy, regional security and global strategic issues, with the aim of expanding military cooperation between the two countries.

The leaders also agreed to deepen collaboration on...

Apple has announced the iPhone 17e, a new mid-range smartphone that introduces modest upgrades while keeping the same starting price as its predecessor.

The latest model replaces the iPhone 16e and continues Apple’s entry-level lineup following the phase-out of the iPhone SE. The most notable upgrade is the inclusion of Apple’s new A19 chip, bringing the device in line with the current iPhone 17 series in terms of performance.

Apple says the A19 processor offers improved speed and efficiency, alongside a new C1X modem designed to deliver faster connectivity. The iPhone 17e now starts with 256GB of storage...

Fresh reports suggest tensions may be growing between Kanye West and Bianca Censori, with speculation centred on claims that Censori holds private digital material from their relationship.

According to unnamed sources cited in recent media coverage, Censori is allegedly in possession of emails, messages and recordings documenting their time together. The claims remain unverified, and no material has surfaced publicly.

The reports have gained traction following Censori’s recent interview appearances, which some commentators interpret as a shift toward a more independent public stance. In a Vanity Fair profile, she reportedly pushed back against narratives suggesting West controlled her...

Qatar has issued a stern warning against filming or sharing videos from incident sites, saying violators could face legal consequences amid heightened regional tensions.

The country’s Ministry of Interior said recording or distributing footage from strike locations violates national laws and could threaten public safety and security. Officials urged residents and visitors to avoid spreading unofficial content and rely only on verified government sources.

Authorities stressed that sharing images or videos from sensitive locations could expose military or defensive positions, potentially aiding hostile actors. They also warned that crowds gathering to film incidents may obstruct emergency services, including...

Skywatchers will have a rare chance to witness a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026 — an event that will not repeat in full form for almost three years.

The eclipse will be visible across East Asia, Australia, the Pacific region and parts of western North America. During totality, the full «Worm Moon» will pass completely into Earth’s shadow, turning a copper-red hue often called a «blood moon.» The total phase is expected to last about 58 minutes.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves fully into Earth’s darkest shadow, known as the umbra. Sunlight...

A Bank of England policymaker has warned that the UK economy may soon shift from battling inflation to confronting weak demand, as price pressures continue to ease.

Speaking at a conference hosted by Norway’s central bank in Oslo, Monetary Policy Committee member Alan Taylor said the UK could soon move beyond the traditional trade-off between slowing growth and inflation.

«I judge that we will soon find ourselves largely outside of trade-off territory – and even at risk of entering the familiar realm of deficient demand,» Taylor said.

He noted that inflation has consistently...

Zendaya and Tom Holland have reportedly tied the knot in a private ceremony, according to comments made by celebrity stylist Law Roach, though the couple has not publicly confirmed the news.

Speaking on the red carpet at the Actor Awards in Los Angeles on March 1, Roach told Access Hollywood that the wedding had already taken place.

«The wedding has already happened. You missed it,» he said, adding when pressed, «It’s very true!»

The claims remain unverified, and representatives for the pair have not commented. Zendaya, 29, and Holland, 29, have long...

Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been thrown into doubt as tensions escalate following a widening conflict involving the United States and Israel.

The Iranian national team secured qualification earlier this year after topping its Asian qualifying group. However, reports emerging from Iran suggest officials are considering withdrawing from the tournament amid the fallout from recent airstrikes and growing regional instability.

The uncertainty comes after the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the strikes, a development that has intensified domestic turmoil and international tensions. Analysts say the situation could influence major...

Aston Martin Racing could face a limited outing in Melbourne after the Honda RA626H power unit proved unreliabl, Motorsport reports. The six-cylinder engine has caused battery failures during testing, forcing the squad to spend more time in the garage than on track.

Technical director Adrian Newey must reconsider development plans for the AMR26, while former Mercedes executive Andy Cowell has flown to Japan to lend his experience to Honda engineers. The power unit’s shortcomings have left Aston Martin in a difficult position, putting months of preparation and ambitious plans at risk.

Lawrence Stroll’s investment in the team has already...

Mikel Arteta became the centre of attention after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at the Emirates, but not for his team’s performance. During the post-match press conference, a journalist mistook a shadow under his eye for a black eye, prompting a humorous exchange.

«Sorry, it might be the lighting but it looks like you’ve got a black eye,» the reporter asked.

Arteta, momentarily surprised, touched the area and replied with a smile, «Yes, I’m very good thank you.» The room erupted in light chuckles as the Arsenal manager laughed along and joked with the press.

Late in February 2026, Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to carry out retaliatory attacks across the region.

Stanislav Pritchin, head of the Central Asia sector at Russia’s Institute of World Economy and International Relations, told Kursiv Uzbekistan that the escalation is unlikely to have a direct impact on Uzbekistan.

According to the expert, none of the parties involved in the conflict are major trade or investment partners for Tashkent, which limits the immediate economic consequences for the country.

However, Pritchin warned that instability in the Middle East, along with clashes between Afghanistan and...

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover rose by 29.2% in January, reaching $5.83 bn, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Imports accounted for the majority of the total, exceeding export revenues by about two and a half times.

The country earned roughly $1.7 bn from exports, largely driven by services and industrial goods. At the same time, spending on imported products reached $4.1 bn, with purchases of foreign machinery, transport equipment and chemical products making up a significant share.

China and Russia remained Uzbekistan’s leading trade partners. Trade turnover with China totalled $1.6 bn, while transactions with Russia reached $1.1 bn.

A drone struck a British Royal Air Force base in Cyprus overnight, damaging a runway but causing no casualties, officials from Cyprus and the United Kingdom.

The unmanned aerial vehicle hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri shortly after midnight, causing minor damage when it crashed into the military facility, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said. It was the first attack on the base since a rocket strike by Libyan militants in 1986.

Authorities said the drone was a Shahed-type aircraft believed to be Iranian-made. It was not immediately clear where it had been launched from. Two sources initially said British...

Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery after it was struck by a drone, Reuters reports.

The Ras Tanura complex, located on the kingdom’s Gulf coast, is one of the Middle East’s largest refineries, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day. It also functions as a key export terminal for Saudi crude. The closure was a precautionary measure, and authorities said the situation remains under control. Two drones were intercepted at the site, and falling debris caused a minor fire, according to a Saudi defence ministry spokesperson on Al Arabiya TV. No injuries were...