News

The overnight operation hit two ships carrying weapons and combat vehicles intended for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), according to the Saudi state news agency SPA. Riyadh said the strike was conducted at night to minimise collateral damage and described the UAE-backed activity as a threat to regional security.

The attack has sharply escalated tensions between the two Gulf allies, which back rival factions in Yemen’s civil war. Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognised Yemeni government, while the UAE backs the STC, which is seeking independence for the former state of South Yemen.

In response, Yemen’s government declared...

All eight Harry Potter films, along with the Fantastic Beasts spin-off trilogy, are set to disappear from Netflix on New Year’s Eve, ending a two-year run that began in 2023. Subscribers have been greeted with «leaving soon» notices across the franchise, triggering widespread frustration on social media.

Viewers will lose access to every instalment, from Philosopher’s Stone through to Deathly Hallows – Part 2, as well as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Crimes of Grindelwald and The Secrets of Dumbledore. Some users have even threatened to cancel their subscriptions following the removals.

The Harry Potter...

Authorities from Sydney to Paris and Tokyo have moved to scrap concerts and public countdowns following warnings of potential terror threats and crowd safety risks. The cancellations come after the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced it had foiled an alleged New Year’s Eve bombing plot near Los Angeles, arresting four suspects during what prosecutors described as a rehearsal in the Mojave Desert.

In Australia, officials cancelled New Year’s Eve events at Bondi Beach, citing public safety concerns and heightened sensitivity following a recent deadly shooting. In Paris, a large music concert planned for the Champs-Elysees was called off after police...

Bandar Apna Dost, which publishes short, AI-produced clips paired with simple storytelling, has amassed more than 2 bn views, making it the most-watched channel globally in the so-called «AI slop» category. Analysts estimate the channel generates around ₹37 crore a year, equivalent to more than $4.25mln, placing it among the most profitable AI-driven creators on the platform.

The rise of Bandar Apna Dost reflects a broader surge in automated content on YouTube. Research by Kapwing suggests that more than 20% of videos recommended to new YouTube Shorts users are either fully or partially AI-generated, underlining how widespread the...

On 29 December, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov met with Israel’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Gideon Lustig to review the current state and future prospects of bilateral relations.

During the meeting, both sides noted the positive momentum in Uzbek–Israeli trade and highlighted significant potential for further growth and diversification. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening direct contacts between business communities and enhancing practical cooperation between relevant institutions.

Key discussion points included attracting new investment, expanding industrial cooperation, launching joint projects, and creating favourable conditions for the long-term presence of Israeli companies in the Uzbek economy.

Documents released to the National Archives reveal Blair’s response to internal briefings in 2005 concerning the death of Baha Mousa, who died after being beaten by British troops while in custody in Basra in 2003.

In handwritten notes on an official memo, Blair rejected the possibility that the case could be transferred to a civilian court, writing «It must not!» next to a passage outlining that option. He later stressed that it was «essential» the matter be kept away from both the civilian justice system and the International Criminal Court.

The case ultimately proceeded through a military court...

Abramovich sold Chelsea in May 2022 for about £4.25bn after direct intervention by the UK government, which approved the deal on the condition that £2.35bn of his proceeds be donated to humanitarian causes linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nearly three years on, the money has yet to be released.

The funds are held by Fordstam Ltd, a UK-registered company controlled by Abramovich, which carries significant debt to its parent firm, Camberley International Investments. Camberley is based in Jersey, a jurisdiction whose authorities froze assets linked to Abramovich in 2022 as part of an undisclosed criminal investigation.

London...

The proposed rail tunnel would run beneath the Strait of Gibraltar, connecting southern Spain with northern Morocco. A study commissioned by the Spanish government and carried out by German engineering firm Herrenknecht found that drilling such a tunnel is achievable using current technology.

Following the report, Spanish consultancy Ineco has been tasked with preparing a detailed blueprint by the end of next year, raising hopes that government approval could be granted as early as 2027. The project is overseen by SECEGSA and its Moroccan counterpart SNED.

The tunnel would stretch around 26 miles, with nearly 17 miles running...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is increasing support for micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Uzbekistan. The bank doing so by expanding access to green finance under its Green Economy Financing Facility II (GEFF II) programme.

Through GEFF II Uzbekistan, the EBRD will provide a loan of up to $30 mln to Hamkorbank. The funding will help the bank expand energy-efficiency lending to companies and households nationwide. Borrowers will be able to upgrade production processes, cut energy use and strengthen resilience to climate risks.

The financing will be complemented by concessional co-financing from the Canadian government...

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev strongly condemned a reported attempt to attack the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Nizhny Novgorod region. He made the remarks during a phone call with the Russian leader.

On Thursday, December 29, Russian authorities said Ukraine had attempted to carry out the attack. Kyiv rejected the allegation, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling it false.

«They are simply preparing the ground to launch strikes on the capital and state buildings,» Zelensky said.

The statement from Russia also drew comments from US President Donald Trump, who...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He highlighted strong demand and the revenue generated for football globally.

Fan groups criticised the high cost of tickets, which were several times higher than those for the 2022 tournament. In response, FIFA introduced a $60 ticket tier to make matches more accessible for supporters of qualified teams.

Infantino said that of the six to seven mln tickets on sale, FIFA received 150 mln requests within 15 days, an average of 10 mln per day.

Meta will acquire Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup founded in China, as the company accelerates its push to integrate advanced AI across its services.

Financial terms were not officially disclosed. A source familiar with the deal valued Manus at between $2 bn and $3 bn. The firm gained attention earlier this year after claiming to launch the world’s first general AI agent, capable of making decisions and completing tasks with minimal prompting compared with traditional AI chatbots.

Beijing has expressed interest in supporting Manus, which claims its AI agent outperforms OpenAI’s DeepResearch. The startup also has a strategic partnership...

Beyonce has officially been declared a billionaire by Forbes, making her the fifth musician to join the list of the world’s wealthiest artists.

She joins an exclusive group of musicians with ten-figure fortunes, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen and her husband Jay-Z, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $2.5 bn (£1.85 bn).

Earlier this month, Forbes valued Beyoncé at $800 mln (£593 mln) and predicted she would surpass the billionaire mark after years of success.

Her 2023 Renaissance World Tour grossed nearly $600 mln, cementing her status as one of the top pop icons globally alongside Taylor...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has added three companies to its register of microfinance organisations, the regulator’s press service said. The decision was approved by the bank’s board.

The newly registered firms are ADL MOLIYA MMT, PRIZMA KAPITAL and AVO FINANCE. The registrations were carried out under board resolutions No. 156, 157 and 158. All three companies are registered as limited liability entities.

The microfinance market in Uzbekistan has expanded rapidly. In the first nine months of 2025, the volume of microfinance services reached 104 trln soums ($8.6 bn), up 1.8 times compared with the same period last year.

Banks...

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and a major political figure, has died at 80 after a long illness, her party said.

Zia led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to victory in 1991 and became the country’s first female head of government. She was placed on life support in her final days, with doctors citing her age and frail health as limits to treatment.

The BNP had planned for Zia to contest elections expected in February, the first since the ousting of her longtime rival Sheikh Hasina. For decades, Bangladesh’s politics were defined by the rivalry between the...

The finale of Netflix’s hit sci-fi series Stranger Things is set to become a major cinema event.

More than 1.1 mln people have registered to watch the final episode in theatres on New Year’s Eve, according to an Instagram post by co-creator Ross Duffer. He said 3,500 screenings across more than 620 cinemas have already sold out.

Duffer added that he and his brother Matt Duffer plan to attend several screenings.

«What a way to close out a ten-year journey — together,» he wrote, suggesting they may appear at showings in Los Angeles.

Season...

Demand for air travel in Uzbekistan increased by 21% in 2025 compared with the previous year, according to data released by Aviasales.uz following its annual market review.

Domestic flights recorded the strongest growth, with interest in travel within the country rising by nearly 33%. International routes also saw an increase of 18%, with overseas bookings accounting for 62% of all orders. Within international travel, the share of bookings to Russia fell from 34% to 29%, while demand for destinations in Asia and the Caucasus rose sharply. China emerged as the leading destination, with search interest more than doubling. Growth was...

Uzbekistan delivered 390 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan on December 29, the country’s Foreign Ministry said. The shipment included food supplies and medicines.

The handover ceremony took place in Hairatan. Balkh province governor Mohammad Yousuf Wafa thanked Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his support of the Afghan people. He also said that cooperation with Uzbekistan in recent years had helped increase Afghan exports and improve social and economic conditions in the country.

According to the Foreign Ministry, this was the fourth time this year that Tashkent has provided humanitarian aid to its neighbour.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Microsoft co-founder said AI had the potential to transform society, particularly healthcare, within the next decade. Gates said AI could support doctors throughout a patient’s life, easing pressure on overstretched health systems and reducing misdiagnosis in both rich and poor countries.

However, he cautioned that the same technology could pose serious risks if exploited by those with «bad intent», calling on governments to consider heavier taxation of tech giants that control AI systems.

«AI is the greatest solution mankind has ever created,» he said, «yet...

The couple tied the knot at Bath Abbey, followed by a lavish reception at Kin House, attended by high-profile guests including David Beckham and Victoria Beckham. However, most of Peaty’s family were absent, with only his sister Bethany attending.

During his speech, Ramsay praised his wife Tana as a «good mum» and made remarks widely interpreted as a veiled reference to Peaty’s estranged parents, adding to public scrutiny of the family dispute. Peaty’s mother, Caroline, later described her exclusion from the wedding as deeply hurtful, while reports suggested tensions had escalated following a fallout earlier this year.

The...

The controversy escalated following Minaj’s appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where she shared the stage with conservative commentator Erika Kirk and spoke favourably about President Donald Trump. Clips from the event spread rapidly online, drawing criticism from fans and commentators opposed to the political positions associated with the gathering.

Shortly after the appearance, a Change.org petition titled «Deport Nicki Minaj to Trinidad» began circulating, amassing around 50,000 signatures within days. Addressed to US authorities including the White House and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the petition accuses the rapper of harmful behaviour and frames her political stance and personal conduct...

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Weaver, 76, explained that she did not physically kiss Jack Champion, who was 14 or 15 at the time of filming and plays Spider in the film. Instead, director James Cameron used body doubles to film the scene.

«Obviously, I wasn’t going to kiss Jack in real life,» Weaver said, adding that the production was «very delicate» about the issue.

Weaver reprises her role as Kiri, the adopted daughter of Jake Sully and Neytiri, portrayed by Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana. She said the age gap between...

The 74-second clip, titled Streaming Bowl: Netflix vs Paramount, has been viewed nearly 800,000 times on X since being shared on 28 December by AI enthusiast Angry Tom. Styled like a Super Bowl broadcast, the footage features a packed stadium, dramatic lighting and lifelike crowd reactions that many viewers initially mistook for real footage.

The video does not explicitly brand the competing streaming platforms, but uses familiar cinematic archetypes to suggest a high-stakes clash between entertainment giants. Its meticulous detail, from sweeping arena shots to spectators holding oversized drinks, has drawn widespread praise, with users describing it as...

The company, led by chief executive Jensen Huang, has enjoyed a standout year, striking more than $125bn in deals and cementing its position as the dominant supplier of chips powering AI systems such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Nvidia’s technology now underpins data centres across the US, Europe and Asia.

However, scrutiny has intensified over the circular structure of some agreements, where Nvidia invests in customers who then use the funds to buy its chips. The most notable example is its long-term partnership with OpenAI, alongside arrangements involving cloud provider CoreWeave. Critics say the model resembles vendor financing, a practice...