News

Lukoil has declared force majeure at the West Qurna-2 oil field in Iraq, according to sources cited by Reuters, while Bulgaria moves towards taking control of the company’s Burgas refinery. The measures reflect the growing impact of recent US sanctions on Lukoil’s international operations.

The force majeure notice was sent to Iraq’s oil ministry last week. This decision follows sanctions placed on major Russian producers Lukoil and Rosneft as part of Washington’s efforts to exert pressure over the war in Ukraine.

West Qurna-2 is one of the world’s largest oil fields and is considered Lukoil’s key foreign asset...

Police in Delhi are investigating a car explosion that killed at least eight people and injured 20 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the main law used in India to handle cases linked to terrorism and threats to national security.

The blast took place on Monday evening near the Red Fort, in a busy part of the old city close to a metro station. A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a traffic light shortly before it exploded, damaging nearby cars and leaving bodies and wreckage scattered across the road.

The incident has prompted heightened security alerts in several states and...

Visa and Mastercard have agreed to a revised $38 bn settlement in an effort to resolve a 20-year legal dispute in which US merchants accused them and several banks of inflating the cost of card payments. The revised deal follows a smaller $30 bn proposal rejected last year by a federal judge who said it failed to offer sufficient relief.

The new settlement would see the card companies reduce average swipe fees by 0.1% point for five years. These fees, also known as interchange fees, averaged 2.35% in 2024. Standard consumer card rates would be capped at 1.25% for...

American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ: AREC) and its affiliated refining company ReElement Technologies have signed a strategic partnership with Uzbekistan-based TMK LLC to build a cross-border critical mineral value chain, beginning with the sourcing and U.S. refining of Uzbek tungsten.

The agreement, signed in Washington, D.C., will see American Resources broker tungsten concentrates from TMK for processing at ReElement and other U.S. facilities into high-purity tungsten, an essential material for defense, electronics and advanced manufacturing.

CEO Mark Jensen said the partnership combines Uzbekistan’s mineral potential with ReElement’s «innovation-led, low-cost» refining capabilities, strengthening supply security for the U.S. industrial base. The...

Uzbekistan welcomed 28,600 visitors from the United States between January and September 2025, a 22.4% year-on-year increase, according to the National Statistics Committee, underscoring the country’s growing appeal to American travellers.

Tourism drove the rise: 23,600 arrivals came for leisure, drawn by Silk Road landmarks such as Samarkand’s Registan, Bukhara’s Ark Fortress and the historic city of Khiva. Authorities credit simplified e-visa procedures, upgraded transport links and new hospitality offerings for improving accessibility.

Beyond tourism, the data point to diversifying ties: 2,400 U.S. visitors travelled on official business, 2,100 visited family, 395 arrived for studies and 111 for other...

Uzbekistan has launched an innovative educational hub for children inside the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, offering young visitors an interactive way to explore the country’s cultural and scientific heritage.

The new children’s hall features hands-on exhibits, multilingual content in Uzbek, Russian and English, and digital installations that use AI and animation to bring historical figures to life. Through storytelling and visual technology, Central Asian scholars explain their contributions to science, creativity and the wider Islamic world.

The complex also includes the International School of Calligraphy, where experts hold workshops on traditional Qur’anic and ornamental scripts while introducing...

Advisor to the Chairman Senate and Ambassador to the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference (ISC), Misbah Khar, welcomed high-level delegations from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Liberia and Uzbekistan as Islamabad hosts the latest ISC meeting.

Khar opened the day’s bilateral engagements by receiving the Saudi delegation, praising the long-standing Pakistan–Saudi partnership and expressing hope for the Kingdom’s prospective ISC membership. She said both countries share a commitment to global peace, dialogue and sustainable development.

In talks with H.E. Lancen Haddad, Vice President of Morocco, Khar highlighted Morocco’s active role in the forum. Haddad commended Pakistan’s leadership and reaffirmed his country’s support for...

Apple is reportedly developing a suite of enhanced satellite-powered features for future iPhones, expanding its connectivity ambitions beyond the current emergency-messaging functionalities. According to Reddit user discussions summarising industry chatter, the technology could enable more seamless global coverage, richer messaging and data services via satellite without relying entirely on traditional mobile carriers.

Users on platforms like Reddit’s r/apple and r/GSAT communities anticipate that Apple’s move could disrupt the mobile-network ecosystem, with speculation mounting around which satellite partner the company will join forces with—names such as Globalstar, AST SpaceMobile and Starlink being floated. Some users envision a future where an...

South Korea’s deposed president Yoon Suk Yeol faces new criminal charges alleging he ordered drones flown over North Korea in October 2024 to inflame tensions and pave the way for his December 3, 2024 declaration of martial law.

A special investigation team under independent counsel Cho Eun-suk said Monday it indicted Yoon and two former defense officials, ex-minister Kim Yong Hyun and Yeo In, hyung, the military counterintelligence chief, on counts including benefitting the enemy and abuse of power. Investigator Park Ji-young said the alleged flights «increased the danger of a South–North armed conflict» to create conditions for emergency...

Uzbekistan received 28,600 visitors from the United States between January and September 2025, an increase of 22.4% compared with the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Agency.

Most arrivals were tourists, numbering 23,600 people. A further 2,400 US citizens travelled for business, while around 2,100 came to visit relatives.

From early next year, US passport holders will be able to visit Uzbekistan without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The government says the measure aims to boost trade, cultural exchange and tourism between the two countries.

Cristiano Ronaldo is «not stopping before reaching a thousand goals» and Lionel Messi can join him there, according to former Netherlands star Wesley Sneijder.

Sneijder, who left Real Madrid the summer Ronaldo arrived in 2009, noted the 40-year-old’s longevity after tallying 450 goals for Los Blancos and surpassing 950 overall across Sporting, Manchester United, Juventus and Portugal (143 for the national team). Ronaldo has publicly set four figures as his retirement target.

Messi, meanwhile, shows no sign of slowing in the United States. The Inter Miami captain captured the 2025 MLS Golden Boot, fired his club into a Conference...

Kazakhstan’s national gas transporter QazaqGaz expects the volume of Russian gas transiting to Uzbekistan to reach around 6 bn cubic metres in 2025, compared with an estimated 5.6 bn cubic metres in 2024, according to Kazinform.

Transit supplies began in 2023 via the Central Asia–Centre pipeline. The operator Intergas Central Asia said the pipeline has undergone repairs during which more than 10,000 defects were identified, with around 6,000 already resolved. At present, around 178 mln cubic metres of gas per day is delivered to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan.

The transit volume is expected to be increased to up to...

Delegates are converging on Belem for COP30, the UN’s annual climate summit, with organisers billing this year’s talks as an «implementation COP» aimed at accelerating real-world action rather than sealing a major new pact.

With the world’s largest rainforest on its doorstep, Belem is expected to spotlight Indigenous leadership, forest protection and land stewardship alongside the traditional push to cut fossil-fuel pollution. Brazil is promoting a proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a pay-for-performance plan to reward countries that keep forests standing, though its success hinges on fresh financial pledges.

Logistics have dominated early chatter: limited accommodation has pushed some...

The UAE sees «no military solution» to Sudan’s spiralling conflict and is pressing for an immediate ceasefire and a transition to civilian rule «fully independent of the warring parties,» senior official Dr Anwar Gargash said on Monday at the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate.

Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, called Sudan «an urgent humanitarian and political crisis,» citing the Rapid Support Forces’ October 26 capture of El Fasher, formerly the army’s last foothold in Darfur, and widespread devastation. He stressed that humanitarian aid must move «unhindered» across the country and be shielded from any military interference, adding that...

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, concluding a remarkable year for the 42-year-old leader who toppled Bashar al-Assad and has since worked to reverse Syria’s global isolation.

The visit, the first by any Syrian president to the White House, comes just six months after Sharaa and Trump held their initial talks in Riyadh. Sharaa seized power last December after opposition forces launched a rapid offensive from north-western Syria, ousting Assad within days.

Security cooperation is expected to dominate Monday’s discussions. Syria is poised to join a US-led...

A photo shows Olympic gymnast Simone Biles standing next to the world’s tallest college basketball player, Olivier Rioux. At 7ft 9in, Rioux is much taller than the 4ft 8in gymnast in an image produced by the Daily Mail.

The height difference is such that Rioux is only 1ft 5in shorter than two Biles stacked on top of each other. Fans have compared the image to a previous picture of Biles alongside Shaquille O’Neal, who is 7ft 1in. One social media post noted:

«During her floor routine, the top of Biles’ head reached 12ft above the...

Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 in Baku has been hailed by officials as a diplomatic and climate-policy success, contrasting with a stuttering start to COP30 in Belem, Brazil.

Azerbaijan’s selection to host the 29th UN climate conference was framed by Baku as recognition of the country’s growing international standing and its willingness to tackle environmental challenges. Authorities say the lead-up to COP29 was marred by an «information war,» with the State Service for Special Communication and Information Security and the COP29 Security Management Center identifying and blocking 15 domestic «fake news» resources.

Despite the criticism, organisers reported robust participation: more...

Newcastle United’s chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone has been placed on immediate gardening leave, with reports suggesting he is set to take up a business role at Juventus later this year. Silverstone, who spent three years at St James’ Park after a previous spell with Arsenal, is departing on good terms.

His exit comes as new chief executive David Hopkinson conducts a 100-day review of the club’s operations. Hopkinson, who joined from Real Madrid, has promised significant changes where he sees fit, reportedly adopting the mantra:

«You’re either with us, or with yourself.»

Sources...

BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness have resigned following criticism that a Panorama documentary misrepresented Donald Trump’s speech. The programme was accused of editing together sections of Trump’s January 6, 2021 address to make it appear he encouraged the Capitol riot, though the segments were originally more than 50 minutes apart.

Davie, who had led the BBC for five years, faced growing scrutiny over perceived bias and a series of controversies. He said his decision to step down reflected the ongoing debate around BBC News and stressed the importance of accountability. Turness, who has...

UFC lightweight Chris Padilla was visibly emotional after missing out on a performance bonus he hoped would ease financial pressure on his family.

The 30-year-old extended his winning run to seven with a second-round TKO over Ismael Bonfim at UFC Fight Night 111. During his post-fight interview with Paul Felder, Padilla appealed directly to the promotion for support.

«I need money more than anything,» he said. «I’ll fight anyone, but I need to look after my family. It is difficult to sleep knowing they are struggling. I stepped in, I took him out even though...

The US Senate on Sunday advanced a House-approved bill aimed at ending the 40-day federal government shutdown, which has left employees unpaid and disrupted services. The measure will fund the government until January 30 and include three full-year appropriations bills.

If approved by both chambers and signed by President Trump, it will also extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that help low-income Americans afford health insurance. The procedural vote passed 60-40, just enough to overcome a filibuster.

Protections for Federal Workers

The bill prevents federal agencies from firing employees until January 30 and guarantees back pay for all federal staff...

A powerful typhoon known locally as Uwan has caused significant damage in the northern Philippine city of Santiago in Isabela province. Homes were battered while trees and electricity poles were brought down by the storm.

«We could not sleep last night because of the winds slamming into our metal roofing and tree branches falling,» said resident Romeo Mariano, who was sheltering at home with his grandmother.

He added that much of the surrounding vegetation had collapsed and their house had sustained visible damage.

Initial figures from the Civil Defence office indicate that at least...

Washington and Tashkent have reached a series of major agreements covering investment, industrial and energy collaboration as well as a new 30-day visa-free entry period for US citizens. The details were shared in a State Department release following President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to the United States on November 6.

Investment in American industry and energy

According to the statement, Uzbekistan plans to direct several billion dollars into the US economy and American companies. A key agreement includes up to $400 mln for projects involving critical minerals and rare earth elements, alongside plans to purchase small modular nuclear...

Lando Norris strengthened his grip on the World Championship with a composed and commanding victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, while Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli produced the finest drive of his young career to fend off Max Verstappen in a breathless final lap fight for second place.

The race at Interlagos delivered its usual blend of high drama and strategic uncertainty, with mixed tyre strategies, early collisions and a late chase for the podium combining to produce a captivating afternoon in Sao Paulo. Norris kept his head while the action unfolded behind him and crossed the line more than...