News

North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party has reaffirmed Kim Jong Un as its general secretary, state media report. The announcement by the party congress on Sunday was widely expected, as the Kim family has ruled the country since the late 1940s.

KCNA stated that under Kim’s leadership, North Korea has «radically improved» its «war deterrence» with nuclear forces at its core. Despite international sanctions, the country continues to develop nuclear weapons and test intercontinental missiles, though the secretive regime makes independent assessment difficult.

Kim, who took control in 2011 after his father’s death, has heavily invested in the nuclear programme...

Central Asia’s population could grow to 96 mln by 2040, placing heavy pressure on infrastructure and natural resources, the head of the Eurasian Development Bank has warned.

Nikolai Podguzov, chairman of the bank’s management board, said in an interview that demographic growth would support economic expansion but would also demand urgent upgrades in energy efficiency, water management and transport connectivity.

«By 2040, according to our estimates, Central Asia’s population may reach 96 mln. This should serve as a driver for the economy. However, such numbers will also place enormous strain on infrastructure. For sustainable development...

One of Mexico’s most feared drug traffickers, Nemesio Oseguera, known as El Mencho, has died after being wounded during a military operation, as cartel retaliation plunged parts of the country into chaos.

The 60-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel died in custody following a special forces raid in Tapalpa, in the Pacific state of Jalisco. His body was flown to Mexico City under heavy National Guard escort.

The operation marked one of the most significant blows in recent years against criminal groups accused of smuggling billions of dollars’ worth of drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States.

Uzbekistan is set to welcome dancers and cultural figures from around the world as the Lazgi International Dance Festival returns to the ancient city of Khiva from April 25 to 30, 2026.

Held every two years, the festival celebrates the iconic Khorezm dance «Lazgi,» a UNESCO-recognised cultural treasure known for its expressive movements and deep historical roots. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Khorezm regional administration, the event aims to promote national heritage while fostering global artistic exchange.

The six-day programme will feature an international dance competition, concerts, exhibitions, masterclasses, and a scientific conference bringing together choreographers, scholars...

Global commodities firm Traxys has announced plans to invest up to $1 bn in Uzbekistan’s critical minerals sector, focusing on tungsten and molybdenum projects, following talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and U.S. business leaders in Washington.

The initiative includes cooperation with state-linked partners such as Navoiyuran and the Uzbekistan Plant of Technological Metals, as well as plans to open a Traxys representative office in Tashkent. The headline target is production of around 150 tons per year, though details on product types and processing routes have not been disclosed.

Industry observers note that Traxys operates primarily as a trading...

Uzbekistan is preparing an expanded delegation for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026 following talks in Moscow between Russian presidential adviser Anton Kobyakov and Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Russia, Botirzhon Asadov.

The meeting focused on Russian-Uzbek economic cooperation and plans for a larger Uzbek presence at the forum, including business and cultural programmes and potential investment agreements.

Kobyakov highlighted steady growth in bilateral ties and reiterated a joint goal to raise trade turnover to $30 bn by 2030 through deeper industrial cooperation and investment projects.

Asadov confirmed Uzbekistan’s intention to use SPIEF as a platform to strengthen...

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have pledged support for Gaza reconstruction initiatives, highlighting efforts by Central Asian states to deepen engagement with the United States, according to reporting by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

At the inaugural Board of Peace Summit on 19 February, Kazakhstan promised financial contributions to the World Bank’s Gaza Reconstruction and Development Fund and signalled readiness to deploy peacekeepers as part of a potential international stabilisation mission. The country also floated humanitarian measures including wheat supplies and scholarships for Palestinian students, though no detailed funding figures have been disclosed.

Uzbekistan reiterated earlier plans to develop an «Uzbekistan...

Uzbekistan continues to formalise its cryptocurrency ecosystem, tightening oversight of mining activities while maintaining a regulated environment for digital assets, according to international compliance data and national regulators.

A country guide by blockchain analytics firm Elliptic notes that cryptocurrencies are officially recognised in Uzbekistan but are not legal tender. Since 2023, residents have been required to conduct transactions through domestic licensed providers, reflecting a state-led approach to regulation.

At the same time, the National Agency of Perspective Projects (NAPP) has introduced detailed rules governing mining operations. Under the agency’s framework, mining is not a...

German drama Yellow Letters (Gelbe Briefe) by director İlker Catak has won the Golden Bear, the top prize at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.

The film follows a lecturer and screenwriter who falls out of favour after supporting students protesting against war in the Middle East, forcing him and his wife to navigate political pressure and personal sacrifice.

The Grand Jury Prize went to Turkish thriller Salvation by Emin Alper, while Sandra Huller won Best Actress for her role in Rose. British actors Anna Calder-Marshall and Tom Courtenay were recognised for supporting roles in Queen at Sea, and Grant...

The United States and Canada are set to face off in the men’s ice hockey final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, renewing one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries in a gold-medal showdown on 22 February.

The matchup marks the return of NHL players to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, setting up a best-on-best clash featuring many of the game’s biggest stars.

A key storyline surrounds Canadian captain Sidney Crosby, whose availability remains uncertain after missing the semi-final due to injury. In his absence, Connor McDavid has stepped into a leadership role and enters...

Finland secured the men’s ice hockey bronze medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a commanding 6–1 victory over Slovakia on 21 February.

The Beijing 2022 champions rebounded from a semi-final loss to Canada with a dominant performance, breaking open a tight game with four unanswered goals in the third period.

Sebastian Aho opened the scoring in the first period before Erik Haula doubled Finland’s lead early in the second. Slovakia briefly closed the gap through Tomáš Tatar late in the period, but Finland quickly regained control in the final frame.

Roope Hintz and Kaapo Kakko

The penultimate day of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered nine medal events and several standout moments, headlined by Norwegian cross-country star Johannes Hosflot Klæbo making history.

Klæbo claimed his sixth gold medal of the Games in the men’s 50km mass start, becoming the first athlete in Winter Olympics history to win six golds at a single edition and raising his career total to 11.

In curling, Canada defeated Great Britain 9–6 to win the men’s title, while also securing bronze in the women’s event. Germany’s Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi successfully defended their two-woman bobsleigh crown...

Australia delivered its most successful Winter Olympics performance at Milano Cortina 2026, securing six medals, including a record three golds, in a landmark showing for the nation.

Freestyle skier Jakara Anthony made history by winning gold in the debut dual moguls event, becoming Australia’s most decorated Winter Olympian. Josie Baff added another title with victory in women’s snowboard cross, while Cooper Woods claimed gold in men’s moguls.

The medal haul also included strong podium finishes, with Scotty James taking silver in snowboard halfpipe, Danielle Scott earning silver in women’s aerials, and Matt Graham winning bronze in dual moguls.

The figure skating exhibition gala brought the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics to a festive close on 21 February, blending humour, artistry and emotional moments in a two-and-a-half-hour finale.

Italian legend Carolina Kostner opened the show on home ice, setting the tone for a night that featured 29 diverse performances — from dramatic solos and romantic duets to comedic routines and crowd-interactive numbers.

Highlights included Spain’s Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck turning the rink into a football pitch, while Estonia’s Niina Petrokina delivered a theatrical performance inspired by Cell Block Tango. France’s Adam Siao Him Fa impressed with a mid-skate...

Authorities in Uzbekistan have detained two regional officials in separate corruption cases involving alleged bribery and land allocation schemes, local media reported on Saturday.

In the Surkhandarya region, the deputy governor of Jarkurgan district is suspected of demanding 90 mln soums (about $7,400) to arrange a short-term lease of nine hectares of reserve land to a farmer. Investigators say he received part of the payment in January and was detained in the city of Termez while allegedly taking the remaining sum. A criminal case has been opened on bribery charges, and the suspect has been placed in custody.

Iran’s northern Mazandaran province has exported 4,500 handicraft items to Uzbekistan and Germany, a regional official said on Saturday.

Atefeh Shabani, deputy head of handicrafts at the provincial Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, said the shipment included wooden serving and kitchenware produced using traditional woodturning and fine woodcraft techniques, along with interior décor items.

The consignment was valued at around $250,000 and marked the first phase of a broader export programme aimed at expanding the province’s presence in international markets, Shabani said.

The goods were shipped via the Dogharoun customs office on Iran’s border with Afghanistan...

A 21-year-old man who declared himself president of a self-proclaimed country in the Balkans has opened an embassy, on his local high street in Kent.

Daniel Jackson says he founded the so-called Free Republic of Verdis after identifying a disputed pocket of land along the Danube River not formally claimed by Croatia or Serbia. He declared the micronation in 2019, building on an idea he first had at the age of 14.

Jackson has since opened two «representative offices», one in Dover and another in Novi Sad, Serbia, which he describes as embassies until the territory is officially...

Katie Price has denied she is pregnant after sparking speculation with a series of suggestive social media posts involving her new husband, Lee Andrews.

The 47-year-old TV personality raised eyebrows after writing on Instagram that she was «having his child» in a message directed at Andrews’ ex-partner. Around the same time, Andrews shared a post describing the pair as a «perfect couple, soon to be triple,» alongside a pregnant emoji, fuelling rumours online.

However, Price’s representative has shut down the claims, telling Yahoo UK that she is not expecting a baby despite the couple’s recent comments.

The rumours...

FBI Director Kash Patel has flown to Italy aboard a government jet for a trip that includes official meetings and attendance at Olympic events, according to a report by CBS News.

Patel departed on Thursday and is expected to meet with Italian law enforcement and security officials, as well as attend a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security. Sources told CBS he also plans to watch the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team compete in Milan.

The FBI said the visit is official and had been planned months in advance. Ben Williamson, the bureau’s assistant director for public affairs...

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have agreed to boost bilateral trade to $2 bn as both countries seek to deepen economic cooperation.

The goal was announced during the 13th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Dushanbe, attended by Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda.

Officials discussed expanding collaboration across key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, industry, agriculture, transport, customs and education. Both sides highlighted growing momentum in bilateral ties driven by stronger political dialogue.

Trade between the two countries reached $718 mln in 2025, up more than 22% year-on-year. The...

Uzbekistan’s Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AMMC) has discussed the possibility of placing bonds on the London Stock Exchange as part of expanding cooperation with the United Kingdom.

The proposal was reviewed during a meeting between AMMC Chairman Abdulla Khursanov and the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Central Asia and Azerbaijan, Lord John Alderdice.

During the visit, the British delegation toured the Yoshlik-1 deposit and other key facilities, including a major copper concentrator equipped with modern technologies. Officials highlighted the company’s ongoing expansion and modernization efforts.

AMMC said deeper engagement with UK partners could strengthen its global...

Greater Manchester Police has been granted permission to retain gold bars worth £1.8 mln that were seized at Manchester Airport in 2025.

Officers intercepted a passenger carrying five gold bars weighing more than 15 kilograms in hand luggage as he prepared to leave the UK. The gold was confiscated on suspicion it was linked to criminal activity.

Following a months-long investigation, a Manchester magistrates’ court approved a forfeiture order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, allowing the force to retain the value of the haul. Police described it as the largest asset recovery award in the force’s history.

Authorities said...

Casey Wasserman, chairman of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic organising committee, is facing mounting scrutiny after newly released documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation mentioned him multiple times.

The files reportedly include decades-old correspondence between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell. While there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, some of the messages have been described as inappropriate, triggering backlash from public figures and political leaders.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly called on Wasserman to step down from his role overseeing the 2028 Summer Games, while several athletes and industry figures have distanced themselves from the sports...

The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has sent shockwaves through the British royal family, marking an unprecedented legal crisis in modern royal history.

Authorities detained the duke on suspicion of misconduct in public office following renewed scrutiny linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The development represents the first time a senior royal has faced arrest in contemporary Britain.

King Charles responded swiftly, stating that “the law must take its course,» and reportedly stripping Andrew of remaining honorary roles. Palace insiders say the monarch is seeking to protect the institution from further reputational damage while...