News

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has presented newly developed sniper rifles to senior party and military officials, describing the weapon as a «wonderful» symbol of his confidence in them, according to state news agency Korean Central News Agency.

The ceremony took place on Friday at the headquarters of the Workers’ Party of Korea, where Kim met leading party cadres and military commanders. Each recipient was handed a new-generation sniper rifle produced by the country’s Academy of Defence Science.

«As was already made public, this new-generation sniper’s rifle our Academy of Defence Science developed and...

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Telegram that it had launched a wave of missiles and drones targeting Israel in response to U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.

The statement comes as internet access in Iran dropped to just 4% of normal levels, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. The disruption follows a recent nationwide blackout imposed during a state crackdown on protests. Iranians also experienced days without internet during last June’s war with Israel and the United States.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s state news agency reported that the service centre of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Juffair, Manama, had been targeted in...

A spokesperson for Uzbekistan Airways told Kursiv Uzbekistan that the airline has developed alternative routes to ensure safe flights amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

«For upcoming scheduled flights passing over Iran and Israel, we will provide updates as the situation evolves. Uzbekistan Airways, together with the Civil Aviation Agency, has planned alternatives, and passenger and crew safety will be fully ensured,» the representative said.

He added that flights from Dubai to Tashkent and Sharm El-Sheikh to Tashkent will bypass Iranian and Israeli airspace. The announcement follows the joint strikes by Israel and...

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a «friendly takeover» of Cuba, saying the Caribbean nation is in serious trouble and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was handling the issue at a «very high level.»

Trump described Cuba as a failing country with no money, oil, or food, adding that the government had sought U.S. assistance.

«I can see that happening. Marco Rubio is dealing on it and at a very high level,» he said, calling the situation a «nation in deep trouble.»

The Cuban government has said it is not engaged in high-level talks...

Iran’s armed forces have begun preparing to retaliate against Israel, according to state television. The Israeli military reported that ballistic missiles fired from Iran had been detected over the country, marking the first wave of Iranian retaliation for earlier U.S.-Israeli strikes, NYT reports.

Air-raid sirens are sounding across northern Israel and in Haifa, urging residents to enter fortified shelters.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel announced in a video statement that Israel and the United States had launched a «joint operation» against what he described as the «existential threat» posed by Iran. He added that the American-Israeli attack could...

American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, who wrote and performed classics including Oh! Carol, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Bad Blood, Laughter in the Rain and Calendar Girl, has died at the age of 86.

«Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather,» his family said in a statement. «A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.»

A gifted pianist and five-time Grammy nominee, Sedaka also wrote hits for other famous musicians across his six-decade...

Israel said it carried out a pre-emptive military strike on Iran on Saturday, escalating tensions in the Middle East and casting doubt on efforts to resolve Tehran’s nuclear dispute with Western powers through diplomacy.

According to Israeli officials, the operation targeted what they described as threats posed by Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.

«The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,» Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said.

An Israeli defence official said the operation had been prepared for months and coordinated with the United...

At least 11 people have died after a Bolivian Air Force cargo aircraft crashed in the western city of El Alto on Friday evening, BBC reports.

Aviation officials said the incident occurred around 18:15 local time as the aircraft approached El Alto International Airport following a flight from Santa Cruz. The plane reportedly veered off the runway and collided with several nearby vehicles.

Bolivia’s defence ministry later confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Lockheed C‑130 Hercules belonging to the country’s air force. Officials said it had been transporting banknotes intended for the Central Bank of Bolivia. Authorities did...

Uzbekistan has voiced deep concern over the worsening situation along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“Uzbekistan calls on the parties to immediately cease fire, exercise maximum restraint, and prevent further escalation of tensions. We are convinced that all emerging disagreements must be resolved exclusively through peaceful, political, and diplomatic means, based on the principles of mutual respect, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states,” the statement reads.

Clashes along the Afghan-Pakistani border began on February 26. Pakistani authorities said Afghan forces had opened fire on its border posts. Afghan officials, however, described their...

At least two people have died and as many as 40 others were injured after a tram derailed and slammed into a building in northern Italy’s financial capital of Milan, BBC reports.

The packed tram was travelling on line 9 along Viale Vittorio Veneto at around 4 p.m. local time when it left the tracks and struck the side of a building.

Authorities said one of the victims, a 60-year-old man, was likely a pedestrian hit by the tram. The second fatality and most of the injured were believed to be passengers.

Passengers recount chaotic moments

Emergency crews...

Amazon has released the first image from its upcoming live-action adaptation of God of War, as production on the series begins in Vancouver.

The preview offers fans an initial look at Ryan Hurst as Kratos, the fearsome god of war, alongside Callum Vinson as his son Atreus. The cast also includes Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Danny Woodburn and Jeff Gulka as the dwarf brothers Brok and Sindri, Teresa Palmer as Sif, and Ed Skrein as Baldur.

The series will follow the storyline of...

Muslims across Europe will observe fasting from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib) on February 28, 2026. Below are the estimated suhoor (end of pre-dawn meal) and iftar (sunset) times for major European cities.

Times are given in local winter time zones. Minor variations (2–5 minutes) may occur depending on the calculation method used by local Islamic authorities.

May Allah accept your prayers and fasting.

A senior Iranian military official has warned that U.S. troops and assets would be targeted if conflict breaks out between Washington and Tehran, amid rising tensions between the two countries.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, said American personnel and equipment in the region would be within range of Iranian strikes in the event of war.

«In the event of any conflict, American forces and their equipment will be destroyed,» he said, adding that U.S. interests across the region would also be targeted.

The remarks came in response to recent statements...

Chelsea recorded a £355 mln loss during the 2024–25 season, the largest deficit ever reported by an English football club, according to newly released Uefa financial data.

The figure is more than double the next biggest loss in Europe, with French side Lyon reporting a £171 mln deficit. It also represents a sharp increase from Chelsea’s losses the previous season.

Uefa’s report suggests the club’s spending has outpaced revenue growth. Chelsea’s wage bill is estimated to be the sixth-highest in Europe at around £390 mln per year, while operational costs rank among the continent’s highest. The governing body...

Islamic fintech and investment manager Wahed has launched a new range of UCITS equity ETFs in Europe that combine traditional Shariah screening with an added ethical review focused on human rights and social impact.

The funds, domiciled in Ireland and approved by the Central Bank of Ireland, are designed to align with Islamic investment principles while introducing a broader values-based assessment. In addition to excluding sectors such as alcohol, gambling and conventional banking, the ETFs apply a discretionary framework evaluating companies on issues including human harm, responsibility and responsiveness to ethical concerns.

Wahed said the approach reflects core Islamic values...

The global cosmetics market is expected to reach around $704 bn by 2032, driven by demand for premium skincare, AI-powered beauty solutions and sustainable products, according to a new analysis by Maximize Market Research.

The report estimates the market was worth $492.18 bn in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual rate of about 5.25% through 2032. Rising beauty awareness, digital transformation and demand for natural and inclusive products are among the key drivers shaping growth.

Skincare remains the dominant category, accounting for nearly half of total revenues in 2025. Strong demand for anti-aging treatments, dermatologist-backed formulations...

The global metal fabrication market is expected to grow steadily through the end of the decade, reaching an estimated $32.47 bn by 2032, according to a new report from Maximize Market Research.

The sector was valued at $22.48 bn in 2024 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 4.7% between 2025 and 2032. Analysts attribute the growth to rising demand for advanced manufacturing technologies, including CNC machining, robotic welding and laser cutting.

The report highlights strong momentum from industries such as electric vehicles, renewable energy and construction. Increasing use of lightweight components in...

Epic Games continues expanding Fortnite’s battle royale universe with characters from other franchises, this time partnering with HoYoverse for a crossover with Honkai: Star Rail.

The collaboration was teased earlier through a mysterious social media post from the developers showing swords embedded in the ground. Attentive fans quickly identified them as the weapons of the Stellaron Hunters. The crossover was later confirmed during a livestream dedicated to the upcoming 4.0 update for Honkai: Star Rail.

Two of the group’s most recognisable characters, the lightning-wielding Kafka and the wind-based fighter Blade, are now available in Fortnite’s in-game shop. Their skins...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending financial support to Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical sector with a loan of up to €20 mln for its long-term partner Samarkand England Eco-Medical (SEEM) and its affiliated company Bayan Medical.

The financing will help the companies expand local production of intravenous solutions such as sodium chloride, glucose and amino acids, along with a range of generic and specialised medicines produced in tablet and capsule form.

Expanding production capacity

The funds will be used to purchase new production lines for SEEM, including facilities for in-glass intravenous solutions, antibiotics, syrups, suspensions, medical water...

The second season of the hit ice hockey drama Heated Rivalry has been officially confirmed, with its return scheduled for April 2027.

Series creator Jacob Tierney announced the news during an appearance on CBS Mornings on Thursday, revealing that the writers’ room is already working on the new instalment and that filming is expected to begin in August.

«There will be more ‘Heated Rivalry’ on your TVs, like, truly, as soon as humanly possible,» Tierney told host Gayle King.

The Canadian series, adapted from the popular novels by Rachel Reid, gained widespread attention online...

The Producers Guild of America revealed early winners at its West Coast celebration on Thursday.

Outstanding Sports Program went to «Formula 1: Drive to Survive,» while Outstanding Children’s Program was awarded to «Sesame Street.» Outstanding Short-Form Program went to «Adolescence: The Making of Adolescence.»

The PGA Innovation Award was presented to «The Wizard of Oz at Sphere» for achievements in VR and emerging media. Lydia Dean Pilcher received the Vance Van Petten Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for her work in sustainable film and television, and Jessica Li won the Debra Hill Fellowship for emerging producers.

The ceremony was hosted in...

On February 26 the London Stock Exchange hosted a Market Open Ceremony as part of the UK and Central Asian Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, bringing together senior officials from the United Kingdom and the five Central Asian republics at the heart of London’s financial centre.

The ceremony was one element of a wider programme of meetings in London, highlighting the shared commitment to deepening economic cooperation, fostering long-term sustainable growth, and enhancing ties between the UK and Central Asia. Ministers emphasised the importance of open and well-functioning capital markets in promoting investment, resilience, and international partnerships.

The event was led...

Bobby J. Brown, the actor best known for his role as Officer Bobby Brown on HBO’s drama «The Wire,» has died at 62 following a barn fire in Maryland.

The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to TMZ that Brown died from widespread thermal injuries and smoke inhalation, and ruled the death an accident.

Family members said Brown had entered the barn to jump-start a vehicle when a fire erupted. He called a relative for a fire extinguisher, but by the time help arrived, the barn was fully ablaze. Brown’s wife suffered severe burns while trying to...

Miami-based ticket broker TicketKings is aiming to profit from FIFA World Cup tickets by focusing on high-demand matches with strong resale potential, according to Reuters.

The firm’s strategy highlights marquee fixtures, including Portugal vs Uzbekistan on June 23 in Houston, projected to deliver an 87% return, Scotland vs Morocco on June 19 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and a likely Brazil vs England quarter-final.

«These featured matches exemplify the fund’s strategy: identifying high-demand fixtures with significant return potential, optimising for both acquisition cost and resale value,» the company said.

Investor appeal and risks

TicketKings, founded...