News

BTS has unveiled the Official Light Stick Ver.4, an upgraded version of its fan light stick with new features and an enhanced wireless control system. The Ver.4 release comes nearly six years after the previous Map of The Soul Special Edition.

The new Light Stick offers a refreshed design and comes with compatible accessories, including a cradle and replaceable parts in BTS and ARMY versions. A new app and improved wireless system enhance usability and allow more sophisticated stage effects during concerts.

Key upgrades include:

Two Democratic U.S. senators have urged the Pentagon to launch an immediate review of SpaceX. This follows allegations that investors linked to China secretly acquired stakes in the company, potential posing risks to national security.

In a letter seen by Reuters, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim asked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to examine the matter, warning that undisclosed Chinese investment could threaten sensitive military, intelligence and civilian infrastructure.

The lawmakers pointed to media reports and court testimony suggesting that funds tied to China were channelled through entities in the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands to conceal purchases...

Uzbekistan and Pakistan have prepared a joint portfolio of projects worth $3.5 bn following high-level talks in Tashkent.

On February 5, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held negotiations and chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation.

The agreed projects span agriculture, electrical engineering, geology, pharmaceuticals, and the light and food industries. The two sides also agreed to establish a Business Council, launch a Uzbekistan–Pakistan Regional Forum, and organise a Week of Uzbek Culture and Days of Uzbek Cinema in Pakistan.

Mirziyoyev proposed opening a joint cultural centre in Lahore dedicated...

Boris Golender, a historian, local studies expert, journalist and writer who devoted his career to exploring the history and culture of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, died on February 5 after a long illness. He was 77.

Golender was born in Tashkent on September 12, 1947. He graduated from the chemistry faculty of Tashkent State University and later defended a PhD in chemistry.

Alongside his scientific background, Golender dedicated decades to researching the history of his native city and country. He authored more than 100 works, including books and articles, focusing on Tashkent’s past, architecture and cultural heritage.

He worked at...

Uzbekistan and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in the supply, extraction and processing of critical minerals and rare earth materials.

The agreement was signed on February 5 during the Ministerial Meeting on Critical Minerals in Washington by Uzbekistan’s foreign minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

“We view critical minerals not only as an economic opportunity but also as a field for responsible partnership and long-term sustainable development,” Saidov said.

Uzbekistan holds significant reserves of gold, copper, tungsten, silver and uranium. In...

Magnus Carlsen remains the undisputed star of chess, topping Forbes’ ranking of the 10 players with the highest annual prize earnings. Even without competing for the formal world championship title, the Norwegian dominated tournaments across multiple continents.

Fabiano Caruana and Levon Aronian also claimed top spots, while veterans like Hikaru Nakamura made a major comeback after a quieter previous year.

Two young Uzbek grandmasters broke into the top 10 as well. Nodirbek Abdusattorov had a breakthrough season with wins at major events including the London Chess Classic, and Javokhir Sindarov captured attention with a historic FIDE World...

Sony Group has outlined plans to expand the Peanuts franchise across music, film and global distribution following its acquisition of an 80% stake in Peanuts Worldwide.

Speaking on the company’s fiscal third-quarter earnings call, chief financial officer Lin Tao said the deal brings together Sony’s music and film divisions to grow what he described as one of the world’s most enduring intellectual properties.

Sony Music Entertainment Japan plans to integrate Peanuts characters and stories into music, video and live events, including collaborations with its artists. Sony Pictures Entertainment will use its production capabilities and international distribution network to broaden...

Uzbekistan’s Republican Commodity and Stock Exchange (UzEx) recorded a 31% increase in total trade volumes in 2025 compared with 2024.

The electronic government procurement segment grew by 46% over the year, while exchange and fair trading volumes rose by 24% and 9% respectively.

In total, 30,100 new clients joined the exchange and e-commerce systems in 2025. Of these, 4,700 registered on the trading platforms, while 25,400 joined electronic systems and government procurement platforms.

Most transactions involved agricultural products, fuel and energy goods, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and chemical and petrochemical products.

From economics and politics to business, technology and culture, Kursiv...

Uzbekistan’s stock exchange sold 4.6 tonnes of precious metals in 2025, marking a 59% increase compared with the previous year, the press service of the Uzbekistan Republican Commodity and Stock Exchange (UzEx) told Kursiv Uzbekistan.

Gold accounted for 4.3 tonnes of the total, while silver made up 323 kilograms. The average exchange price of gold rose by 52% over the year, from 1 mln ($81.53) to 1.6 mln soums ($130.4) per gram.

Online auctions also remained popular, with more than 7,000 phone numbers sold in 2025. Of these, 96% were purchased by individuals and 4% by companies, with prices ranging...

The earnings of Formula 1 drivers always attract attention each season, with fans curious about how much stars like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc take home.

RacingNews365 spoke to multiple sources within the F1 paddock to compile an overview of the estimated annual salaries for all drivers in 2026. The figures listed reflect base salaries only and do not include team or performance bonuses, or income from personal sponsorship deals.

Top earners in the sport
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari at the start of last year, is reported to earn $60 mln annually. Including...

A mural in a central Rome church featuring an angel restored to resemble Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been painted over after sparking political and clerical outrage. The image, in a chapel of the Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina near government offices, drew attention when first spotted by the newspaper la Repubblica on Saturday.

One of two angels in the chapel had been altered to closely mirror the 49-year-old right-wing leader, Italy’s first female prime minister. The depiction provoked criticism from opposition figures and irritation from Cardinal Baldo Reina, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome.

Under the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, artefacts from Ancient Bactria were brought from the United Kingdom to the Center of Islamic Civilisation in Uzbekistan. The exhibition sheds light on a civilisation that flourished in Central Asia long before Islam, building cities, establishing trade routes and producing sophisticated jewellery.

Jewellery and symbols of status

The exhibition highlights the region’s pre-Islamic craftsmanship, jewellery and symbolic thinking. Gold bracelets, once key symbols of social status, were inlaid with semi-precious stones such as agate, turquoise and lapis lazuli, serving as both decorative and status symbols.

Beads and necklaces display high-level...

Chinese company Wangneng Environment plans to invest $173 mln in the construction of a waste-to-energy plant in Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region, according to Yicai Global.

The facility is expected to process up to 1,500 tonnes of waste per day, with construction scheduled for completion in 2028. Revenue is projected to come mainly from waste disposal services and the sale of electricity.

Yicai Global noted that the project will allow Wangneng Environment to expand its overseas operations amid intense competition in China’s domestic market.

Wangneng Environment specialises in waste-to-energy projects. The company designs, builds and operates waste incineration power plants as...

A 27-year-old man is accused of deliberately targeting children online. He has been charged with hundreds of child abuse related offences involving victims in Australia and at least 15 other countries, Queensland police said.

The man, who has been in custody since February last year, now faces 596 charges after investigators uncovered more than 23,000 images and videos of alleged abuse on his electronic devices.

Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark said the sheer scale of the material meant identifying victims required significant time and specialist effort. So far, 360 victims have been identified and investigations are continuing.

The number of tourists from Uzbekistan who visited Turkey in 2025 reached 268,900 people, marking a year-on-year increase of 17.4%, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Leisure travel accounted for the majority of visits, with 201,800 Uzbek citizens travelling to Turkey for tourism purposes. A further 58,900 people visited relatives living in the country.

Medical tourism also showed steady demand, with 3,700 Uzbeks travelling to Turkey for treatment. Another 2,500 people went to study, while 1,900 visited for work-related reasons.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s hotel sector does not plan to abandon the all-inclusive system in the upcoming season. A representative of...

UzOman Investment Company has acquired a 33.3% share in Hektas Asia LLC, the Uzbekistan-focused unit of OYAK’s Hektas, marking a strategic step in industrial cooperation between Central Asia, Oman and Turkey.

The stake increase — carried out through a $24.9 mln capital injection — was formalised at a signing event in Istanbul by Hektas CEO Enis Emre Terzi and UzOman Investment Director Mohammed Al Abri.

The partnership supports the construction of a high-technology agricultural chemicals facility in the Uzbek-Turkish Organised Industrial Zone near Tashkent, scheduled to begin operations in 2027. The project aims to boost local production of advanced agricultural...

Uzbekistan international forward Eldor Shomurodov could be set for a high-profile transfer within the Turkish Super League, with reports linking him to Fenerbahce.

According to local media, Fenerbahce have contacted Istanbul Basaksehir to discuss a possible deal for the striker, who has impressed this season with 14 goals in 20 league appearances. Basaksehir president Goksel Gumusdag is reportedly demanding around €20 million for the player.

Basaksehir are said to have invested €5.7 mln to sign Shomurodov, while 10% of any future transfer profit would go to AS Roma, his former club.

The reports come after earlier claims that...

Uzbekistan’s state energy company Uzbekneftegaz has held talks with leading Czech firms on introducing advanced mechanical engineering and industrial technologies into the country’s oil and gas sector.

The discussions took place during a three-day business mission from February 2 to 6, organised with the support of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

The Czech delegation included representatives from more than 10 companies specialising in mechanical engineering, energy, ICT and industrial solutions. Key participants included TOS VARNSDORF, TOSHULIN, TMC CR, ZDAS and KOVOFINIS.

The mission aims to...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to Pakistan on February 5–6, as the two countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership.

According to the Uzbek president’s press service, Mirziyoyev will hold talks in Islamabad with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. The visit will also feature the inaugural meeting of the Uzbekistan–Pakistan Strategic Cooperation Council.

Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening political dialogue and expanding cooperation in trade, industry, transport, infrastructure, energy and tourism, as well as enhancing cultural and humanitarian ties...

U.S. President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro put months of sharp rhetoric behind them after a closed-door meeting at the White House, agreeing to cooperate on tackling drug trafficking.

The encounter marked the first face-to-face talks between the two leaders following a series of public insults exchanged in recent months. Despite the tension, Trump said the meeting was «very productive» and confirmed that the two sides had reached an understanding on combating narcotics trafficking, a long-standing point of friction given Colombia’s role as the world’s largest cocaine producer.

Petro struck a lighter tone after the talks...

The largest-ever release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein by the U.S. Department of Justice has triggered widespread controversy, exposing victims’ identities and fuelling political, legal and cybersecurity concerns worldwide.

The trove of documents, published in late January under transparency rules, was found to contain unredacted personal information, including nude images and identifying details of victims. Following urgent legal action, a federal judge in Manhattan approved an agreement to protect the identities of nearly 100 women and halted further public exposure.

The leak has reignited scrutiny of prominent figures linked to Epstein, including Elon Musk, Bill Gates and...

The iconic TV series The Muppet Show is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a one-off special on Disney+, reuniting Jim Henson’s beloved characters for a nostalgic return to the stage.

Created by Jim Henson, the original show ran from 1976 to 1981 and became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its chaotic vaudeville format, celebrity guests and unforgettable characters, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

The anniversary special features guest appearances from Sabrina Carpenter, Seth Rogen and Maya Rudolph, blending classic Muppet humour with modern pop culture.

While reactions have been mixed among long-time fans, the special aims...

British fashion icon Twiggy is the face of Burberry’s new summer campaign, wearing pieces designed by creative director Daniel Lee.

At 76, the legendary model appears front and centre in the campaign, embodying Burberry’s blend of heritage, modernity and wearability. The cast also features a group of contemporary creatives, but Twiggy’s presence dominates, underlining her enduring influence on British style.

Stylists say her inclusion signals Burberry’s push toward timeless, cross-generational appeal, positioning the collection as both aspirational and accessible. Best known as the face of the 1960s fashion revolution, Twiggy remains one of Britain’s most recognisable cultural figures...

Royal Air Philippines has abruptly cancelled all scheduled commercial flights after entering liquidation, becoming the first airline to formally cease operations in 2026.

The Manila-based carrier confirmed on January 4 that it had suspended its entire flight schedule, leaving an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 passengers with bookings between January and March seeking alternative travel arrangements. In a statement on its website, the airline said it was working on refunds but gave no timeline for a possible return to service.

Founded in 2002 as a charter operator, Royal Air Philippines transitioned to a low-cost carrier model in 2018 and...