News

Alisher Usmanov, Anton Zlatopolsky, Eduard Iloyan and Olesya Gidrat received the prize for Best Series Producer at TEFI Awards for the television drama Chronicles of the Russian Revolution.

The critically acclaimed programme also secured the title of Best Historical Series while its creator Andrei Konchalovsky was named Best Director.

Filming for the ambitious project took place between the autumn of 2022 and the summer of 2023. Production utilised dedicated film studios as well as on-location shoots across Moscow and St Petersburg. The sheer scale of the historical drama frequently required up to 1,000 cast and crew members to work on...

The FIA has outlined the regulatory changes for Formula 1 power units in 2027, paving the way for a gradual transition to a 60-40 power distribution by 2028. Following intense negotiations, a sensible compromise has been reached that will see a 58% internal combustion and 42% electric split next year.

Rather than jumping straight to the originally proposed 60-40 ratio, logic has prevailed. The fuel flow rate will only increase by 5% in 2027 instead of the requested 13%. The larger increase will be deferred until 2028 when power unit development is strictly frozen.

Revised power output figures

South Korean entertainment mainstays Jung Kyung-ho and Choi Soo-young have called it quits following a 14-year romance. The couple, who were widely regarded as one of the most enduring and beloved celebrity pairings in the industry, had their split confirmed by their respective management agencies on Tuesday.

Jung’s representatives released a brief statement acknowledging that the pair recently parted ways. Meanwhile, Choi’s agency echoed the sentiment by stating that the two stars have chosen to remain good colleagues moving forward.

A decade in spotlight

The actor and the singer first crossed paths at a church gathering in...

Taiwan’s military fired U.S.-made HIMARS rocket systems during a major live-fire exercise on Wednesday, simulating strikes against an invading Chinese force and showcasing the island’s growing defense capabilities.

The drill took place near the central city of Taichung on Taiwan’s west coast, the area considered most vulnerable to a potential amphibious assault from China. It marked the first time Taiwan has used the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in exercises facing the Taiwan Strait.

Military officials said the exercise demonstrated the system’s “shoot-and-scoot” capability, allowing launchers to fire rockets and quickly relocate to avoid enemy counterattacks. The...

A sign bearing the message «Kill a Tourist» has sparked controversy in Spain as anti-tourism sentiment continues to grow ahead of planned protests in several holiday destinations.

The slogan was reportedly spotted in Mallorca, one of Spain’s most popular tourist islands, where activists are preparing new demonstrations against mass tourism. Protest organizers argue that soaring visitor numbers are worsening housing shortages, driving up living costs and putting pressure on local infrastructure.

The latest incident comes amid a broader anti-tourism movement that has spread across the Balearic and Canary Islands, as well as cities including Barcelona and Malaga. Residents...

A growing backlash is emerging ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as supporters complain about soaring costs associated with attending the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Fans and supporters’ groups have criticised FIFA’s ticketing system, which uses demand-based pricing that can significantly increase prices for high-profile matches. Tickets for some games, including the final, have reached thousands of dollars, sparking concerns that ordinary supporters are being priced out.

The cost of attending the tournament extends beyond match tickets. Supporters face expensive flights, accommodation and local transport across the vast host region, making the...

President Donald Trump to stop using popular characters from Japanese franchises in his social media posts, arguing that the content is being used without permission and in inappropriate political contexts.

More than 20,000 people have signed an online petition titled «Protect Japanese Manga,» which criticizes the use of characters and imagery from series including Naruto, Dragon Ball, and Yu-Gi-Oh! in content shared by Trump and official White House accounts. The campaign gained renewed attention after Trump posted an image portraying himself as Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist of the globally popular manga series.

The petition was originally launched earlier...

Iran fired missiles at a military base in Jordan hosting U.S. forces on Wednesday, escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington after American airstrikes targeted Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Jordanian air defences intercepted several incoming missiles, and authorities reported no casualties.

The attack came a day after the United States struck Iranian air defense systems, radar installations, and command facilities, which Washington described as a response to recent threats against U.S. forces and commercial shipping in the region.

Iran said the missile launch targeted the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, a facility used by...

The Uzbekistan national football team faced an unexpectedly hostile reception upon their arrival in the United States, raising fresh concerns over the strict border protocols being enforced ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Managed by Italy’s legendary World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, the squad touched down in New York to prepare for a warm-up friendly match against the Netherlands. However, their arrival was quickly overshadowed by severe security measures that left the team feeling singled out by U.S. customs officials.

According to Cannavaro, the entire travelling contingent was subjected to a highly unusual and intense level of scrutiny at...

Kazakhstan is fully prepared to facilitate a significant increase in the transit of Russian natural gas to Uzbekistan, potentially raising the annual volume to 11 bn cubic metres.

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, senior Kazakh Energy Ministry official Erlan Akkenzhenov confirmed that his country has the necessary capacity to handle the increased flow.

“We have such an opportunity, it all depends on the transport infrastructure,” Akkenzhenov stated. “Everything is ready on the Kazakh side. Now, as far as I know, the Russian side is holding independent negotiations with Uzbekistan.”

The potential...

The New York Knicks maintain a 2-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, but their recent defeat in Game 3 has caused the secondary ticket market to crash.

As the prospect of the Knicks securing their first championship in over half a century on home soil this Wednesday vanished, demand for Game 4 tickets sharply declined.

Plummeting entry prices

Earlier in the week, the cheapest available ticket to enter the New York arena had peaked at roughly $13,500. By Monday the entry price sat at $8,600, but following the Spurs’ crucial victory it...

South African police initiated a major manhunt following a mass shooting that left 12 people dead and several others injured at an informal settlement in Gauteng.

The attack occurred at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland on Tuesday 9 June. Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) responded to reports of an active shooting at approximately 23:10 local time.

Preliminary investigations indicate that a group of more than 10 suspects arrived near a local petrol station in a white Toyota Quantum minibus.

The armed men allegedly entered the informal settlement using both main entrances. According to police reports...

NASA has unveiled the four-man crew tasked with executing the Artemis III mission. Rather than heading to the moon, the late 2027 flight will serve as a complex dress rehearsal in low-Earth orbit to test competing lunar hardware developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the roster during a special presentation in Houston on Tuesday. The high-profile crew blends extensive experience with fresh faces and international collaboration.

The Artemis III Crew:

American military forces are bracing for further escalation in the Middle East after an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle struck a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. The mid-air collision in the Strait of Hormuz forced the aircraft down, though a pioneering autonomous rescue mission ensured both pilots survived, Reuters reports.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, President Donald Trump publicly insisted that a retaliatory strike against Tehran is absolutely necessary. The incident arrives on the heels of a highly volatile weekend marked by direct military exchanges between Israel and Iran.

Autonomous ocean rescue

The destroyed Apache was conducting routine...

At least 13 people have lost their lives following a series of Pakistani military airstrikes across three provinces in Afghanistan, Reuters reports. The aerial bombardment, which reportedly killed 11 children, threatens to reignite a deadly cross-border conflict that has already claimed hundreds of lives this year.

Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the attacks on Wednesday. He stated that the Pakistani military violated Afghan airspace to bomb civilian residences across the provinces of Kunar, Khost and Paktika.

Alongside the 13 confirmed fatalities, Mujahid reported that at least 14 other individuals sustained injuries during the strikes. According to the spokesperson...

A man accused of perpetrating one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings has been hit with 19 additional criminal charges, Reuters reports. The horrific attack at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach last December claimed the lives of 15 people and was reportedly inspired by the Islamic State terror group.

Naveed Akram, 24, was initially hit with 59 charges in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. During a court appearance in Sydney on Wednesday, his defence lawyer Leonie Gittani confirmed that authorities had filed a further 19 offences against her client.

According to official court records, the newly filed allegations include:

Severe anti-immigration riots have swept through Belfast, resulting in widespread property damage and the deployment of armoured police units. The violent street protests erupted on Tuesday in direct response to a horrific stabbing in the north of the city that left a man fighting for his life, Reuters reports.

Tensions boiled over when groups of masked youths began gathering at various flashpoints across the Northern Irish capital. The demonstrations rapidly deteriorated into aggressive rioting, with crowds targeting local infrastructure and residential properties.

In east Belfast, rioters set a public bus on fire and initiated a campaign of vandalism. Media...

Bill Cody, one of the most celebrated personalities in American country radio and a long-serving announcer for the Grand Ole Opry, has died in Nashville, Variety reports. He was 67.

The veteran broadcaster passed away on Tuesday following a period of severe illness. In late May, his daughter revealed that he was in critical condition and required both heart and kidney transplants to survive. The country music community had rallied around the family with calls for prayer in his final days.

Announcing the news on Facebook on Tuesday evening, his son David thanked the public for their overwhelming support...

Referees officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are in line for record-breaking earnings, with some match officials expected to receive more than $100,000 in fees and bonuses during the tournament.

According to reports, referees will receive a substantial participation payment for being selected for the World Cup, in addition to match fees for every game they officiate. Those chosen for knockout-stage matches will earn significantly more than officials limited to the group stage.

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg said FIFA’s compensation model rewards officials based on the number and importance of matches they oversee. Referees appointed...

McDonald’s has launched a special FIFA World Cup 2026 menu, introducing new burgers, limited-edition collectibles and themed Happy Meals as football fans prepare for the start of the tournament.

Among the new additions are the Mexican Chipotle Chicken burger and the Sweet Carolina BBQ Stack, alongside Mozzarella and Gouda Crunchy Cheesy Bites. The menu also brings back several customer favourites, including Big Mac Sauce dipping pots and the Galaxy McFlurry range.

A major feature of the promotion is the FIFA World Cup Meal, which includes a Big Mac, McPlant or Chicken McNuggets meal paired with a randomly allocated...

Families affected by the Air India Flight 171 crash have reportedly been asked to return to the disaster site in Ahmedabad as authorities continue recovery and identification efforts following the tragedy that claimed 260 lives. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off on June 12, 2025, killing 241 people on board and 19 on the ground.

According to reports, some relatives have been asked to help identify personal belongings recovered from the wreckage and assist officials as the clean-up operation continues. The request has prompted criticism from grieving families, who argue that returning to the crash site...

FIFA is facing growing criticism from environmental groups and researchers after new studies suggested the 2026 World Cup could become the most polluting tournament in football history. Estimates indicate the competition may generate between 7.8 mln and 9 mln tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, more than double the footprint of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature a record 48 teams and 104 matches spread across 16 cities. Experts say the vast distances between venues will make air travel the biggest source of emissions...

FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry into the United States just days before the tournament begins.

Artan, who was due to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a men’s World Cup, was stopped upon arrival at Miami International Airport despite reportedly holding a valid visa. US authorities later determined that he was inadmissible following additional screening procedures.

FIFA said it had no authority over immigration decisions made by host countries and confirmed that Artan would be unable to take part in...

British actor Idris Elba has addressed long-running rumours linking him to the role of James Bond, saying he never considered the prospect realistic despite years of speculation.

In a recent interview with British GQ, the 53-year-old star said the rumours were “never legit” and explained that he believed some audiences around the world would not accept a Black actor portraying the iconic British spy.

Elba said he was flattered to be associated with the role but argued that James Bond was created in a specific way and should remain an escapist character rather than being reshaped to satisfy...