News

At least 25 individuals have lost their lives and four have sustained severe injuries following a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, BBC reports.

The devastating blast took place at the Vanaja Fireworks Industry in the Virudhunagar district on Sunday evening. Although the facility was officially scheduled to be closed for the weekend, local officials reported that approximately 50 employees were working inside the premises.

An injured survivor receiving medical treatment told BBC Tamil that around 25 staff members were working on the front veranda when the initial fire ignited...

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake off Japan’s northeastern coastline has triggered widespread tsunami alerts, Reuters reports.

Authorities urgently advised residents on Monday to steer clear of the shoreline as forecasters predicted waves reaching up to three metres in height.

Tsunami alerts and immediate response

The earthquake occurred at 16:52 local time. Roughly two hours later monitoring stations recorded waves measuring 80 centimetres. However meteorologists maintained active alerts for the northern Hokkaido region and the upper areas of Honshu island amid fears that significantly larger swells could still make landfall.

Top government spokesperson Minoru Kihara addressed the media as...

Uzbekistan eradicated approximately 3,500 tonnes of illicit drugs last year. The figure was announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his welcoming address to delegates at a high-level anti-drug forum in Samarkand.

Detailing the scale of recent law enforcement operations, the president confirmed that authorities successfully resolved over 15,000 drug-related criminal cases over the past 12 months.

The crackdown also resulted in the closure of 14 clandestine drug laboratories and the dismantling of 72 online shops caught dealing in dangerous substances.

However, the president expressed concern regarding the demographic profile of the offenders. He noted that young people are responsible...

The pirate-themed adventure game Windrose has achieved a massive milestone by selling one million copies within just six days of its release.

Developed by the Uzbekistan-based studio Kraken Express, the title has quickly captured the attention of the global gaming community.

The developers expressed their immense gratitude to the growing player base after announcing that the game had reached an impressive peak of 200,000 concurrent players.
In a heartfelt statement to their community, the creators shared their emotional reaction to the game’s sudden popularity.

“While working on patches we find the time to read your reviews...

Uzbekistan’s national ice hockey squad has emphatically defeated Hong Kong in the decisive match of the 2026 IIHF World Championship (Division III B) to claim the tournament’s gold medals.

By securing the top spot on the podium the Uzbek players have earned a well-deserved promotion. Next year they will step up to compete in Division III A to face a more formidable group of international rivals.

The team demonstrated absolute superiority throughout the competition and delivered a remarkable sequence of heavy victories against their group opponents. Uzbekistan looked noticeably stronger than the rest of the field as they recorded the...

Law enforcement officials in Austria have issued a stark warning to parents after a jar of HiPP baby food was found laced with rat poison, BBC reports.

Authorities in the eastern state of Burgenland revealed that a vigilant shopper flagged a contaminated serving of carrot and potato puree. Fortunately, the infant involved did not ingest the compromised meal.

A coordinated criminal act

Officers confirmed the packaging had been deliberately altered and they strongly suspect further poisoned products remain on supermarket shelves. While authorities have not officially labelled the terrifying incident an extortion plot, the initial intelligence came from...

The ongoing conflict across the Middle East has prompted Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade to actively seek out alternative logistics corridors.

Representatives from the ministry’s press service told Kursiv Uzbekistan that officials are currently evaluating new trade pathways that would rely on Chinese ports while transiting through Kazakhstan. Additionally, Georgian ports are being considered as another viable option, which would involve moving cargo overland via Turkmenistan.

This urgent search for new supply lines is a direct response to the mounting financial pressures caused by regional volatility. The ministry highlighted that instability surrounding Iran has driven up freight costs...

Law enforcement in the American state of Louisiana have shot and killed a man following a devastating domestic rampage that claimed the lives of eight youths, BBC reports.

The perpetrator, named by authorities as Shamar Elkins, went on a shooting spree in the city of Shreveport early on Sunday morning. He murdered seven of his own offspring alongside an unrelated juvenile in what police have characterised as a severe domestic disturbance.

According to official reports, the youngsters who died were between one and 14 years of age.

A morning of terror

The violence began at approximately 05:00 local...

Reacting to recent controversial remarks made by Timothee Chalamet, Charlize Theron stated that artificial intelligence will be capable of replacing screen actors within a decade, whereas the raw authenticity of live stage dancers remains entirely irreplaceable by machines, Variety reports.

In an interview with The New York Times, Theron expressed her dismay at Chalamet’s claim that «no one cares» about ballet or opera. When interviewer Lulu Garcia-Navarro raised the topic, Theron branded the young actor’s comments as highly irresponsible and delivered a sharp reality check regarding the looming threat of AI in Hollywood.

«Oh boy...

Potatoes are a kitchen staple, but leave them sitting too long and they can quickly develop sprouts, turning from everyday ingredient into something far less appealing — and potentially unsafe to eat.

There has long been confusion over how best to store potatoes. For years, people were advised to avoid keeping them in the fridge due to concerns that cold temperatures would alter their starch and make them less healthy. However, more recent research suggests refrigeration is safe and can even extend their shelf life.

Experts now say storing potatoes in the fridge can keep them fresh up to three...

A new study suggests that turmeric, the spice responsible for the yellow colour in many curries, could be as effective as standard medications in treating indigestion.

Researchers found that curcumin, the active compound in turmeric derived from the Curcuma longa plant, may match the effectiveness of omeprazole, a widely used treatment for reducing stomach acid.

The clinical trial, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, involved 206 patients in Thailand suffering from functional dyspepsia, a condition marked by symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating and early fullness. Participants were divided into three groups: one received curcumin, another omeprazole, and a...

Bahrain’s parliament speaker Ahmed Al Musallam has discussed recent Iranian attacks with international counterparts during the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Turkey.

During bilateral meetings with representatives from France, Brazil and Uzb/ekistan, Al Musallam condemned what he described as Iranian strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and vital facilities across the region. He said Bahrain had faced more than 45 days of drone and missile attacks affecting homes and key energy and water sources.

The speaker highlighted international condemnation of the incidents, pointing to resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations...

A 22-year-old woman from Manchester has issued a warning about the dangers of vaping after being given just 18 months to live following a lung cancer diagnosis.

Kayley Boda began vaping at 15 and said she was using a 600-puff device each week when she first noticed alarming symptoms, including coughing up brown, grainy mucus. Despite repeated visits to doctors, she says she was initially told she had a chest infection before later coughing up blood, prompting further tests.

After multiple biopsies, she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2025 and underwent surgery to remove part of her...

A new UK poll has found overwhelming public opposition to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle using their royal titles for commercial purposes.

The survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 61% of respondents oppose the couple leveraging their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles for personal gain. When excluding undecided participants, opposition rises to nearly 80%, with only 16% expressing support.

The findings come amid scrutiny of the couple’s recent visit to Australia, where they combined charity appearances with paid speaking engagements and branded events. Critics argue this approach blurs the line between public service and private profit, reigniting...

A former detainee of China’s Xinjiang internment camps has accused the UK government of undermining human rights after approving plans for a new Chinese mega-embassy in London.

Sayragul Sauytbay, an ethnic Kazakh who fled China in 2018, said Prime Minister Keir Starmer was prioritising economic ties with China over international law.

«The recent activities of the UK government have left us in deep anguish,» she said, accusing Britain of hypocrisy in promoting democratic values while strengthening relations with Beijing.

Sauytbay says she was forced to work in a detention facility in the Xinjiang region, where...

A recent discussion at the European Parliament has exposed divisions over how Europe should engage with Iran’s opposition, amid ongoing unrest in the country.

The meeting, organised by the Foreign Affairs Committee in cooperation with its delegation for relations with Iran, aimed to assess the situation following the January 2026 nationwide protests. The uprising was met with a harsh response from Iranian authorities, including mass arrests and executions targeting political activists.

However, concerns were raised by several lawmakers about the balance of voices represented at the session. Critics argued that some participants were aligned with groups advocating a...

The UK and France are leading a new international «Coalition of the Willing» aimed at safeguarding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions with Iran and divisions with the United States complicate efforts to stabilise the region.

Following a meeting of 51 countries, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed that freedom of navigation must be protected, amid reports that Tehran is demanding steep tolls for vessels passing through the strait.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump declaring the crisis resolved, Iran signalled the situation remains unstable, citing ongoing restrictions on its shipping. The...

Supporters attending matches at MetLife Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup will not be allowed to walk to the venue due to local safety laws, officials have confirmed.

The 82,500-capacity stadium, located roughly 12 miles from New York City, is set to host eight matches, including England’s group-stage clash with Panama and the tournament final. Fans from countries such as Norway, Brazil and France are also expected to attend fixtures at the venue.

However, access to the stadium is restricted to vehicles and public transport. The surrounding area is dominated by highways and parking lots, with no...

A humanoid robot developed by Honor has outpaced the human half-marathon world record at a robot race in Beijing, highlighting rapid advances in China’s robotics sector.

The robot completed the 21-kilometre course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds at the Beijing E-Town Robot Marathon on Sunday, according to organisers. The time surpasses the current human world record set by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo, who clocked approximately 57 minutes earlier this year.

The achievement marks a dramatic improvement from the inaugural event last year, when the fastest robot finished in over two hours and 40 minutes. This year’s competition...

Bloomberg has released its latest Billionaires Index, highlighting the overwhelming financial dominance of the United States technology sector. Nine of the world’s ten wealthiest individuals are American tech leaders, leaving just one spot for a European representing the luxury goods market.

Here is the updated breakdown of the ten richest people on the planet:

Elon Musk ($656 bn): The driving force behind electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and private aerospace firm SpaceX. His staggering wealth is further supported by his ownership of the social media platform X and the neurotechnology startup Neuralink.

Larry Page ($286 bn): The Alphabet co-founder has...

International investment and technology firm Freedom Holding Corp has announced the acquisition of ChessBase, one of the world’s oldest and largest platforms dedicated to chess software, analytics and data.

The takeover aims to strengthen the company’s market position through the widespread implementation of artificial intelligence and its integration into the wider Freedom corporate ecosystem. The firm expects to invest approximately €5 mln into the project’s future development.

A new era for a historic brand

Timur Turlov, chief executive of Freedom Holding Corp, highlighted the significance of the deal for the global chess community.

“ChessBase is...

The Uzbek private cargo carrier My Freighter has officially expanded its aviation park with the arrival of a new Boeing 767. The aircraft, which landed on April 17 and carries the tail number UK67022, marks the tenth addition to the company’s growing fleet.

Continuing a recently established corporate tradition of honouring the nation’s most outstanding historical figures, the airline has named the new freighter after Abdulla Qodiriy.

Qodiriy is widely celebrated as one of the principal founders of modern Uzbek literature, a brilliant playwright and a dedicated public figure. He is best known for authoring the masterpieces Bygone Days and...

Uzbekistan is set to implement sweeping legislative changes aimed at bolstering child protection and increasing state support for vulnerable families. The new initiatives, recently presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, outline a dual approach focusing on digital safety and comprehensive care for children with disabilities.

According to the press service of the children’s ombudsman, the republic will introduce targeted punishments for the possession of child pornography with the intent to distribute. First-time offenders will face administrative charges, while any repeat offences will automatically trigger criminal liability.

The state is also toughening the penalties for any depraved or predatory acts directed...

Kanye West will no longer be performing in Poland after the venue cancelled his upcoming show amid mounting political pressure regarding his history of racist, antisemitic and pro-Nazi statements, BBC reports.

The controversial American rapper, who also goes by the name Ye, was set to take the stage at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzow on June. It would have marked his first Polish performance in 15 years, but venue officials confirmed on Friday that the event had been scrapped citing unspecified “formal and legal reasons”.

The cancellation follows strong condemnation from the Polish government. Marta Cienkowska, the country’s culture...