News

The ancient city of Samarkand is set to become the focal point of the global chess community this year as it prepares to host the International Chess Federation (FIDE) presidential elections. The vote will be held during the organisation’s General Assembly between September 26 and 27.

This electoral event forms part of the wider FIDE Congress which is scheduled to take place in the Uzbek city from September 20 to 27.

FIDE has established a strict timeline for prospective leadership candidates. The deadlines are structured as follows:

A woman who was trafficked from Uzbekistan as a vulnerable teenager delivered powerful public testimony detailing the horrific abuse she endured at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking publicly for the first time, the survivor, identified only by her first name, Roza, revealed that the late sex offender repeatedly raped her whilst he was supposedly serving a sentence under house arrest, BBC reports.

Roza delivered her harrowing account alongside other victims during a special field hearing organised by House Democrats in West Palm Beach, Florida. The location was deliberately chosen by Democratic lawmaker Robert Garcia as the area where...

Uzbekistan’s transition towards a sustainable energy grid has gained significant momentum this year, with “clean” electricity production rising by 29% compared to the same period in 2025. According to the Ministry of Energy, the republic has already generated 4 bn kWh of renewable energy by the middle of May.

Current infrastructure and capacity

The country now operates 20 large-scale green power plants with a combined capacity exceeding 5.5 GW. This growing portfolio is currently dominated by solar energy, though wind power is becoming an increasingly vital component of the national mix. The current breakdown of these facilities includes...

Centrum Air has expanded its fleet with a 16th Airbus A320-214 named Alisher Navoi, the company’s press service confirmed to Kursiv Uzbekistan.

The airline emphasised that it is proudly continuing its tradition of naming its planes after prominent figures from Uzbek culture and history. Bearing the registration number UK32077, the new aircraft arrived in Tashkent on Thursday, May 14. It has the capacity to carry 186 passengers and is scheduled to operate flights to destinations across the Middle East and CIS countries.

“Expanding our fleet is the foundation for the airline’s growth. It means new destinations...

The world’s top 100 brands have collectively reached $13 trln in total value. This figure represents a 22% year-on-year increase, underscoring the commercial advantage of treating a brand as an asset rather than a cost.

Beyond the overall $13 trln benchmark, the report highlights significant growth in specific sectors. The Business Technology and Services Platforms category experienced a 25% year-on-year increase in value. The top 20 brands within this single category now boast a combined total brand value of over $4.05 trln.

Kantar BrandZ is an annual analysis providing an evidence base on how brands create value...

The official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived. Released on Thursday, May 14, “Dai Dai” sees Colombian music icon Shakira team up with Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy for a vibrant and fiercely motivational track.

Seamlessly blending Afrobeats, dance-pop, world beats and reggaeton, the nearly four-minute song delivers an uplifting message of resilience and ambition for athletes and fans globally. Shakira opens the track with powerful lyrics:

«You knew from the day you were born/ That here in this place you belong/ You’ve been this brave all along/ What...

British developer Playground Games has officially taken pole position. Forza Horizon 6 has accelerated past all competition to become the highest-rated video game of the year so far, BBC reports.

Boasting an impressive Metacritic average of 91 out of 100, the arcade racer has comfortably surpassed early-year heavyweights like Pokémon Pokopia and Resident Evil Requiem, both of which sit at 89. Scheduled for official release on Xbox consoles and PC on May 19, this latest instalment transports the beloved open-world franchise to Japan. This highly anticipated setting has been heavily requested by the racing community for years and offers...

Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse confirmed they are starting a family. The 33-year-old actor and his 32-year-old model wife shared the joyful news while walking the red carpet at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France on Thursday May 14, People reports.

Posing happily for the cameras, Palvin debuted her blossoming baby bump in an elegant light blue gown featuring cap sleeves and a striking feather skirt. She kept a protective hand cradling her stomach throughout the event. Sprouse stood proudly by her side in a classic tuxedo with his arm affectionately wrapped around his wife.

The love...

U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that China has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft following diplomatic talks. However, the American planemaker saw its shares drop as the final figure fell significantly short of market expectations, Reuters reports.

Speaking to the Fox News Channel on Thursday, Trump confirmed the agreement following his highly anticipated summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

“One thing he agreed to today, he’s going to order 200 jets … 200 big ones,” Trump remarked on the Hannity programme.

Despite the announcement, Boeing’s stock dropped by 4.1% during Thursday’s trading session...

Turkish actress Hande Ercel has officially ended her professional relationship with her long-time stylist Inan Kirdemir. The television star recently stepped out at the Cannes Film Festival sporting a fresh look curated by a brand new fashion expert.

Reports suggest that the sudden split stems from a significant disagreement regarding an upcoming Saint Laurent fashion show. The luxury brand was reportedly looking to invite a prominent Turkish celebrity to their event. Kirdemir pitched both Ercel and fellow actress Serenay Sarikaya to the label. Ultimately, the fashion house concluded that Sarikaya was a better match for their specific style, target...

Sydney Sweeney and music executive Scooter Braun have given fans an intimate look into their romantic Australian holiday. The 28-year-old Euphoria star and her 44-year-old beau appeared completely smitten in a newly released Instagram video montage packed with public displays of affection.

Basking in the sunshine, the couple can be seen looking totally loved up across various holiday clips. The footage begins with a picturesque sunset walk along the beach before Braun showers the actress with kisses.

The pair are later filmed dancing closely together and getting cosy in front of the camera at a luxurious villa. Other moments featured...

Russia’s parliament has approved a controversial new law allowing President Vladimir Putin to deploy the military abroad to protect Russian citizens facing arrest or prosecution by foreign courts.

The legislation, passed by the State Duma in its second and third readings, expands the Kremlin’s authority to use armed forces outside Russia in cases involving «foreign or international judicial bodies» that Moscow does not recognize. Officials said the measure is aimed at protecting Russians from what they describe as politically motivated prosecutions abroad.

Under the new law, Russian state agencies would also be required to take additional measures to...

King Charles III faced anti-monarchy protests linked to Prince Andrew’s scandal as he travelled to Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday.

Demonstrators from the campaign group Republic gathered along the royal procession route holding signs reading «Did you know?» — a reference to allegations surrounding Andrew’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Protesters demanded greater transparency from the royal family and called for a parliamentary inquiry into what senior royals knew about the scandal.

The protests come amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor following his arrest earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in...

Saudi Arabia secretly launched retaliatory strikes against Iran during the recent regional conflict, marking a major escalation in Gulf involvement in the war, according to multiple reports citing Western and regional officials.

The covert attacks reportedly came after Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted Saudi oil facilities, infrastructure and military sites earlier this year. Riyadh had initially attempted to stay out of the conflict sparked by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear program, but later responded militarily as Iranian attacks intensified across the Gulf.

According to reports, Iranian officials warned Gulf states that further cooperation with attacks...

Paris Jackson has secured a major legal victory in her ongoing dispute with the executors of her late father Michael Jackson’s estate, intensifying a long-running family feud over the singer’s fortune.

A Los Angeles judge ruled that $625,000 in bonus payments made by estate executors John Branca and John McClain to outside law firms in 2018 must be returned to the estate. The court also said Paris Jackson could seek reimbursement for her legal costs.

Michael Jackson’s daughter has accused the estate’s management of lacking transparency and prioritizing excessive legal payouts over the interests of Jackson’s children. Representatives...

Anthony Gordon has reportedly agreed personal terms with recently crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. However, the German giants still have substantial negotiating to do with Newcastle United who are firmly holding out for a minimum of £75 mln for the 25-year-old winger.

According to talkSPORT, a significant gap in valuation remains between the two sides. Bayern have made the England international a priority signing after wrapping up their domestic title but prying him away from St James’ Park will not be straightforward. Gordon signed a new long-term contract two years ago that keeps him tied to the Magpies until...

A small cafe in Vienna has found itself at the center of growing tensions surrounding Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, as protests, boycotts and security concerns continue to overshadow the event.

MQ Kantine, a cafe in Vienna’s Museumsquartier district, stepped in to host Israeli Eurovision fans after organizers reportedly struggled to find a venue willing to represent Israel in the city’s «Eurofan Café» initiative. Owner Lisa Wegenstein said she wanted to oppose what she described as the exclusion of Israelis and Jewish visitors.

The café has since become a focal point in the wider controversy...

The high-profile meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing was overshadowed by a series of dramatic incidents involving international media coverage and rising tensions over China’s geopolitical ambitions.

During a live broadcast of the «CBS Evening News» from Taipei, anchor Tony Dokoupil abruptly cut to a commercial break after a cameraman suffered a medical emergency off-camera. CBS later confirmed that the employee was «okay and recovering.» The unusual interruption occurred while the network was covering Trump’s state visit and the summit with Xi.

The summit itself focused on trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence and the ongoing Iran...

Thomas Frank is poised to make a swift return to football this summer following his brief and challenging tenure at Tottenham Hotspur. The 52-year-old tactician was dismissed from his post in North London this past February after a mere eight months in charge.

Enduring a torrid campaign, he departed the club with an underwhelming record of 13 victories, ten draws and 15 defeats. However, the Danish coach is now swapping the immense pressure of the dugout for the television studio.

A new role with BBC Sport

Reports from The Guardian indicate that Frank has officially signed a contract...

Global music icons Madonna, Shakira and South Korean sensation BTS are set to take centre stage for the halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final. The highly anticipated match and performance will take place on July 19 in New York.

A halftime show for a cause

FIFA confirmed the blockbuster lineup across its social media channels, highlighting that this will be the first time the tournament has ever featured a dedicated halftime spectacle. The event has a strong philanthropic focus, specifically designed to raise funds for the organisation’s Global Citizen Education Fund. This flagship initiative aims to generate...

Cruz Azul and Chivas treated fans to a fiercely competitive 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Clausura 2026 semi-finals. The thrilling encounter served as a fitting temporary farewell to the Estadio Banorte, ESPN reports.

Despite taking the lead twice through Santiago Sandoval and Angel Sepulveda, the Guadalajara side were pegged back by brilliant finishes from Carlos Rodriguez and Christian Ebere.

A frantic opening and goalkeeping blunders

The match commenced at an incredibly fast pace. Within the first seven minutes both teams had already carved out clear goalscoring opportunities. Just two minutes in, Jose Paradela used his...

The escalating legal troubles of a divisive American online broadcaster reached a violent climax this week. Dalton Eatherly, a livestreamer who broadcasts under the moniker “Chud the Builder”, was detained following a shooting incident outside a Tennessee courthouse on Wednesday, CNN reports.

The armed clash occurred on the grounds of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville. According to the Tennessee District Attorney General’s Office, the violent exchange left both Eatherly and an unnamed male with injuries requiring medical treatment. Both individuals are currently stable in hospital.

In a bizarre twist, Dalton Eatherly broadcasted the immediate aftermath of the violence...

On May 13, Instagram unveiled a brand new photo-capturing tool aimed specifically at Generation Z. Named “Instants”, the release includes both an integrated in-app feature and a dedicated standalone application.

According to Instagram’s Vice President of Products, Tessa Lyons-Laing, the innovation allows people to capture and distribute “unpolished moments” to a restricted circle of followers.

Offering a similar experience to Snapchat, Instants gives users a temporary way to share raw images completely free of filters, text or stickers. These candid snaps can only be sent to mutual followers or a curated “Close Friends” list. Most importantly, once a recipient...

Stephen Colbert remains one of the most celebrated and respected figures in American television, famously known for fronting The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. As the comedy icon prepares to conclude his impressive 11-year stint on the CBS chat show on May 21, 2026, he has been sharing a few behind-the-scenes secrets, including the identity of the celebrity guest he found most distractingly attractive, Parade reports.

During a recent instalment of the Strike Force Five podcast, co-host Jimmy Kimmel asked the 62-year-old presenter a rather probing question: «Has there been a guest who was so attractive that you found...