News

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny has been announced as the headline act for the 2026 Super Bowl half-time show, set to take place on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, northern California.

The NFL confirmed the news on Sunday alongside partners Apple Music and Roc Nation. The Grammy-winning artist follows Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking 2025 performance, which drew over 146 mln viewers.

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is enjoying one of the strongest years of his career. Earlier this month, he completed a landmark residency in Puerto Rico that attracted more than half a million fans...

Central Asia’s economies have continued to post robust growth through 2025, supported by domestic demand, infrastructure investment, and rising commodity exports, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) released in September. While all five Central Asian states — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — are benefitting from expansionary policies and resilient remittance inflows, risks tied to inflation and global trade tensions remain significant.

Uzbekistan: Strong Expansion Anchored in Gold Exports

Uzbekistan recorded 7.2% economic growth in the first half of 2025, driven by buoyant consumption, steady investment, and surging gold exports. From January to July, exports...

Afghanistan has been plunged into a complete internet blackout after the Taliban government imposed a nationwide shutdown of telecommunications, weeks after beginning to cut fibre-optic connections, BBC reports.

Internet watchdog Netblocks confirmed the country was experiencing a «total internet blackout», with mobile internet and satellite TV also severely disrupted. International news outlets reported losing contact with their Kabul bureaus, while Tolo News urged viewers to rely on its social media accounts as television and radio signals were expected to face interruptions.

The Taliban have not issued an official explanation but a government official said the restrictions would remain in...

Three years after the Kanjuruhan stadium tragedy that killed 135 fans, Indonesian football is on the brink of its biggest breakthrough in decades. Team Garuda has reached the final round of Asian World Cup qualifiers, just two matches away from securing a place at the 2026 finals in North America.

Indonesia will face Saudi Arabia on October 8 and Iraq on October 14 in a playoff staged in Jeddah, with the group winner earning direct qualification. Victories over China, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in earlier rounds, along with a draw against Australia, have already marked historic progress.

Much of...

On September 23–24, 2025, Tashkent hosted a regional workshop on the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) for Central Asia and Mongolia. The event was organised by the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the BWC within the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in cooperation with the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan.

The workshop aimed to expand understanding of the Convention and provide updates on the work of the Working Group on Strengthening the BWC. Participants were also briefed on regional biosecurity projects that support implementation, as well...

Lewis Hamilton has announced the passing of his dog Roscoe, who passed away after being treated for pneumonia.

Roscoe was admitted to hospital last week and placed in a coma. Hamilton, who missed a Pirelli tyre test to remain by his side, revealed that his pet died in his arms on Sunday evening. The loss comes five years after the passing of his other dog, Coco.

In an emotional message posted on Monday, Hamilton said:

«After four days on life support, fighting with every bit of strength he had, I had to make the hardest...

An American Instagram blogger known as @camperghini, who is travelling the world in a Lamborghini Urus with his wife, was fined in Uzbekistan after overstaying his car’s permit.

The traveller, who began his journey in Los Angeles before driving across the United States, shipping his car to Germany and continuing through Europe, Belarus, Russia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, had been exploring Uzbekistan when his visa expired. He attempted to leave the country through the border crossing on his way to Tajikistan, but was stopped because the vehicle’s permit had also lapsed.

According to his own account, border officers informed him that...

American singer Jason Derulo staged a scene at his St Petersburg concert on September 28 that closely mirrored Egor Kreed’s well-known stage act. Performing at the SKA Arena, Derulo lounged on a sofa while a dancer gave a provocative routine to Kreed’s track Malo, tak malo. At the climax, she leaned in for a kiss but he pointedly refused, echoing Kreed’s signature move.

According to Fontanka, Derulo’s set included several local pop-culture references. A day earlier in Moscow, he had walked on stage to Tatiana Kurtukova’s viral hit Matushka, and in St Petersburg he cemented his «Russian programme» by...

The company showcased its latest digital solutions, emphasized its strategic role in the development of Uzbekistan’s telecom infrastructure, and received international awards for network quality, reaffirming its market leadership and contribution to the country’s digital transformation.

From September 23 to 26, the Central Asian Expo Uzbekistan (CAEx) in Tashkent became a platform for dialogue on the future of digital transformation and economic growth, as well as a venue for presenting cutting-edge solutions that shape the ecosystem of «Digital Uzbekistan.» ICT Week 2025 is the country’s flagship event in the information technology sector, annually uniting entrepreneurs, investors, IT industry leaders, and...

Morocco saw its largest anti-government demonstrations in years this weekend as youth-led protests swept at least 11 cities, demanding better healthcare and education and condemning state spending on international sporting events.

Chanting «Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?», protesters accused authorities of prioritizing preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations over essential public services.

Police in riot gear and plainclothes officers dispersed rallies in Rabat, Marrakech and Casablanca, where dozens of arrests were reported by the Moroccan Association for Human Rights. The group said some detainees were physically assaulted before being...

Footballers are being pushed to breaking point by congested schedules and rising heat, according to a new FIFPRO report on the 2024–25 season.

The global players’ union highlighted the 32-team Club World Cup in the U.S. as a major strain, with stars like Achraf Hakimi enduring seasons that stretched nearly year-round. Clubs including PSG, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich had their offseasons cut short, raising fears for player fitness heading into the 2026 World Cup.

Medical experts cited in the report call for at least four weeks between seasons and a minimum two days’ rest...

After days of speculation, it is now official: Electronic Arts (EA) has been acquired in a $55 bn deal by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), along with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners.

Founded in 1982, EA is one of the gaming industry’s largest publishers, known for blockbuster franchises like FIFA/FC, Madden NFL, and The Sims. The acquisition marks one of the biggest buyouts in gaming history.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson praised the move as recognition of the company’s legacy, promising to «push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology.» Investors responded swiftly, with EA’s...

The number of cryptocurrency millionaires worldwide has soared to 241,700, according to the Crypto Wealth Report 2025 by Henley & Partners, marking a 40% increase in just one year.

The surge is driven by a sharp rise in Bitcoin millionaires, now at 145,100, up 70% year-on-year, alongside a total crypto market valuation of USD 3.3 trillion as of June 2025, a 45% jump from 2024.

At the very top of the crypto wealth pyramid, 450 centi-millionaires hold portfolios exceeding USD 100 mln, while the number of crypto billionaires has climbed to 36.

Analysts link the boom to accelerating...

A private dining room run by a Michelin-starred chef, a spa designed exclusively for your pets, or a lift that takes both you and your supercar straight to your penthouse suite. These are not scenes from a futuristic film, but real offerings in the booming world of branded residences — homes conceived and curated by the world’s biggest luxury labels.

For those who want their lifestyle to reflect the same prestige as their wardrobe, fashion houses, carmakers, jewellers, and even entertainment giants are entering the market. Residences by Porsche, Dolce & Gabbana and Disney are joining the ranks of traditional...

The 5th edition of Uzbek Arbitration Week (UzAW) opened in Tashkent with a message that resonated well beyond Central Asia: Uzbekistan is serious about becoming a global hub for international dispute resolution. The event brought together practitioners, in-house counsel, academics and policymakers from across the region and further afield, signalling the country’s growing integration into the international arbitration community.

Abdel Wahab’s call for reform and vision

The keynote was delivered by Mohamed Abdel Wahab, chair of the international commercial and investment arbitration group at Zulficar & Partners and Chair of the ICC Governing Body for Dispute Resolution Services...

Uzbekistan is making its debut at the prestigious Miss Earth 2025 pageant, and leading the charge is none other than Shaxrizada Madaminova — a rising star in the world of modeling and beauty contests. The 21-year-old Ferghana native, who won the Miss Asia 2024 title in Lebanon, is set to represent her country on the global stage at the Silver Anniversary Edition of Miss Earth, held on November 5 at Okada Manila in the Philippines.

From Ferghana to the World

Born in 2004, Shaxrizada began her modeling journey in 2020 and quickly rose to prominence through international competitions...

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced it will partially restart manufacturing in the coming days, nearly a month after production was halted by a major cyberattack.

The luxury carmaker suspended operations on 31 August, disrupting assembly lines at its plants in Solihull and Halewood, and forcing thousands of staff and suppliers into temporary standstill. The attack also froze payments across the supply chain, affecting hundreds of small firms reliant on JLR contracts.

The news follows a government move to back a £1.5 bn loan guarantee for the automaker, amid warnings from MPs that some suppliers had only «a week...

Former MI5 director general Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller has warned that Britain may already be engaged in a form of war with Russia, pointing to cyberattacks, espionage and covert operations on UK soil.

Speaking on the Lord Speaker’s Corner podcast, Manningham-Buller said she agreed with the assessment of Fiona Hill, a former adviser to U.S. president Donald Trump, who has argued that Britain is effectively at war with Moscow.

«Fiona Hill may be right in saying we’re already at war with Russia,» Manningham-Buller said. «It’s a different sort of war, but the hostility, the cyberattacks, the...

Sony’s PlayStation 5 has received another temporary price cut in the UK, dropping to around £330, a level some players call «an amazing deal» and potentially the cheapest effective entry point for a PlayStation console when adjusted for inflation. Despite a gloomy narrative around this generation, readers point to a packed release slate, citing Silent Hill f and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, as proof there’s plenty to play without the cost or hassle of a gaming PC.

On the Nintendo side, the Switch 2 continues to puzzle fans. Beyond well-aired launch hardware complaints, readers are surprised by the lack...

Manny Machado homered and Jackson Merrill drove in three runs as the San Diego Padres completed their regular season with a commanding 12-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 28, fine-tuning ahead of the National League playoffs.

J.P. Sears (9-11) threw 5 2/3 innings for the win, reaching a season-high 113 pitches. He allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four. The victory sealed back-to-back 90-win seasons for San Diego (90-72) for the first time in club history.

Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt (13-9) was hit hard, surrendering eight runs – seven earned – on...

Uzbekistan’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a national Save Food programme aimed at reducing food disposal and cutting waste, Lex.uz reports.

Under the new rules, goods approaching their expiry dates will be placed on special shelves near shop entrances. Their prices will gradually fall every ten days until the final sale date. The Tax Committee and Ministry of Health will monitor compliance.

From January 1, 2026, catering establishments will also be required to install grease traps, air filters and odour catchers when cooking on open flames. These requirements will be included in urban planning regulations and become conditions for...

From January to August 2025 Uzbekistan hosted 7.4 mln visitors, according to data from the National Statistics Agency. This figure is 2.4 mln higher than during the same period in 2024, marking a 49.1% increase.

Neighbouring states accounted for the bulk of arrivals. Kyrgyzstan led with 2.1 mln travellers, followed by Kazakhstan with 1.7 mln and Tajikistan with 1.6 mln. Beyond Central Asia, Uzbekistan welcomed 663,000 visitors from Russia, 304,000 from Afghanistan, 243,000 from Turkmenistan, 135,000 from China and 113,000 from Turkey.

The most common reason for travel was family visits, with 5.1 mln people arriving to see relatives...

ITV’s I’m a Celebrity is stirring up an ‘influencer war’ after reports that a well-known social media personality has signed up for the next series.

The long-running show, hosted by Ant and Dec, is finalising its cast of campmates, with early speculation pointing to a mix of soap actors and a breakfast TV favourite.

Angry Ginge Heads Into the Jungle

According to The Express, YouTube and TikTok creator Angry Ginge — real name Morgan Burtwhistle — is expected to head into the Australian jungle. The 23-year-old began posting online in 2021 and has since built a large following.

Pop sensation Selena Gomez and music producer Benny Blanco are officially husband and wife. The couple exchanged vows on September 27 in a dreamy, intimate ceremony held at a private estate in Santa Barbara, California, surrounded by close friends, family, and a constellation of celebrity guests.

A Fairytale Wedding

Gomez, 33, stunned in a custom Ralph Lauren halterneck lace gown with a dramatic open back, while Blanco, 37, looked dashing in a classic black tuxedo. The bride later changed into a second dress for the reception, and her bridal jewelry featuring platinum and diamond pieces from Tiffany...