News

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have completed a two-day humanitarian visit to Jordan, meeting refugees, healthcare workers and aid teams supporting people affected by the Gaza conflict.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled at the invitation of World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Their itinerary included a visit to the Za’atari refugee camp for Syrians, meetings with burns victims from Gaza, and discussions with UN agencies and donors in Amman. The couple also met World Central Kitchen teams coordinating food aid and spoke with frontline mental health workers.

Observers noted symbolic elements throughout the trip, including Meghan’s wardrobe...

The United Kingdom and the European Union have reached a draft agreement defining Gibraltar’s status after Brexit, preserving British sovereignty while easing cross-border movement with Spain.

The proposed treaty, unveiled jointly by London and Gibraltar’s government, introduces a «fluid border» that would remove routine passport checks at the land crossing with Spain. Around 15,000 people are estimated to cross the frontier daily, and the deal is expected to simplify travel and trade.

Under the plan, Gibraltar would remain under British sovereignty, with the treaty explicitly stating it does not affect competing claims over the territory. Key British military...

Uzbekistan’s total public debt increased by $6.6 bn in 2025, reaching $46.85 bn, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

As of January 1, 2026, the country’s external debt rose by $6.1 bn, totalling $39.8 bn, while the domestic debt grew by $542 mln, reaching $7 bn.

International financial institutions remain the largest creditors, holding roughly half of the debt portfolio. Key lenders include the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB). During the year, ADB’s share of lending rose to $8.3 bn, while the World Bank’s portion reached nearly $9 bn.

Foreign government institutions also...

Former Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner has said it was not his decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

At the end of 2024, it was announced that Sergio Perez would leave the Milton Keynes-based team and be succeeded by Lawson alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

Lawson competed in two race weekends before being moved to Racing Bulls, with Tsunoda promoted ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The decision surprised many as Lawson had limited time to prove himself at unfamiliar circuits.

Speaking...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has added three companies to the national register of microfinance organisations, the regulator’s press service reports.

The newly registered firms are Olmos Finance, Oson Moliya and Prime Sarmoya.

According to official business registry data, Olmos Finance was registered in autumn last year with authorised capital of 2.1 bn soums ($173,025). Oson Moliya was established at the end of 2025 with the same level of capital, while Prime Sarmoya was registered in the summer of that year.

In the first nine months of 2025, Uzbekistan’s microfinance market expanded to 104 trln soums ($8.57 bn...

Indonesia has deported Tommy Schaefer, who spent 11 years in prison for the high-profile «suitcase murder» of his girlfriend’s mother on Bali.

In 2014, Schaefer was on holiday in Bali with his girlfriend Heather Mack and her mother Sheila von Wiese-Mack. The pair conspired to kill von Wiese-Mack, reportedly to gain access to a $1.5 mln trust fund. Her body was later found stuffed in a suitcase.

Schaefer, 33, was released from a Bali prison on Tuesday after receiving remissions for good behaviour. He is due to face federal charges in the U.S. and will appear in court in...

In 2025, microfinance organisations (MFOs) and pawnshops in Uzbekistan issued loans totalling 31.8 trln soums ($2.62 bn), double the amount recorded in 2024, according to the central bank’s market report.

MFOs accounted for 28.9 trln soums ($2.38 bn), while pawnshops provided 2.9 trln ($239 mln). Individuals made up 91% of borrowers, with companies taking 9%. Most personal loans were under 10 mln soums/$824 (62%), 15% ranged from 10 to 20 mn soums ($824-$1,648), and 14% were between 20 and 50 mln soums ($1,648–$4,121).

Loans to legal entities showed that 22% were between 200 and 300 mln soums...

In 2025, trade between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan grew by 53%, reaching $1.5 bn, the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan reports.

«The number of people crossing the border has increased 1.5 times, road traffic is up 36%, and the number of cargo railcars has grown 13%,» the committee said.

To handle the rising traffic, border checkpoints are expected to move to electronic operations. Customs authorities will begin sharing cargo data before goods reach the border.

Additionally, Uzbek specialists will provide free training for Afghan colleagues on proper cargo inspection techniques.

Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan has...

Uzbekistan has climbed 43 spots to rank 48th out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s newly released “Women, Business and the Law” (WBL) 2026 report, driven by major legislative overhauls in labor and pension regulations.

The latest data awards Uzbekistan a score of 82.1 out of 100 on its legal frameworks index, placing the country among the top five globally for recent improvements in supporting women’s economic participation. By contrast, the global average for legal frameworks currently stands at 67.

Uzbekistan achieved the maximum score of 100 points across five indicators: Mobility, Family, Pay, Childcare, and Assets. The...

Damson Idris has officially joined Formula 1 as a Global Brand Ambassador following his role in F1 The Movie, which grossed over $630 mln and became the most successful sports film ever. The partnership combines Idris’ creative influence with F1’s global platform to connect entertainment and motorsport.

In the film, Idris played Joshua Pearce, a rising driver filmed at live Grands Prix, giving him first-hand experience with teams, drivers, and race operations.

F1 President Stefano Domenicali said: «Damson is passionate about the sport and shares our vision to grow it. With his platform, we will...

Cuba said its forces killed four exiles and wounded six others after a Florida-registered speedboat entered Cuban waters and opened fire on a Cuban patrol vessel, according to the government. The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Havana and the United States.

Cuba’s Interior Ministry said those aboard the vessel were anti-government Cubans, some previously wanted for allegedly plotting attacks. Authorities said the group departed from the United States wearing camouflage and carrying assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, ballistic vests and telescopic sights.

An additional suspect was detained inside Cuban territory in connection with what officials...

Samsung Electronics has announced the Galaxy S26 series, presenting what it describes as its most intuitive, proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI experiences to date. The line-up includes the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26.

According to Samsung, the third generation of its AI phones is designed to reduce the effort required for everyday smartphone tasks. From organising plans and searching for information to capturing and editing content, Galaxy AI works in the background to minimise the number of steps users need to take.

«We believe AI should be something people can depend on...

Nearly two out of three women in the «sandwich generation» are reaching a caregiving breaking point, according to a new report from family care platform Cleo, highlighting mounting mental health strain and rising costs tied to burnout.

Cleo’s third annual Family Health Index, based on more than 19,000 assessments, found that 64% of working women aged roughly 40 to 54 who care for both children and ageing relatives are at high risk of burnout. Researchers say the pressure is contributing to declining mental health, higher healthcare spending and workforce disruption.

The report found that 46% of women in midlife face...

Laura Ipsen, president and CEO of higher education technology company Ellucian, has been named to the 2026 CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business list, recognising female leaders driving measurable impact across industries.

The annual CNBC ranking highlights women reshaping business through innovation and purpose-driven leadership. Ipsen was selected for guiding Ellucian’s transformation and expanding the role of technology in higher education globally.

Since joining the company in 2017, Ipsen has led Ellucian’s shift toward software-as-a-service platforms and the development of AI-powered tools designed to improve student outcomes and streamline university operations. The company says these innovations aim to help institutions deliver...

Indian destination management company Cholan Tours has introduced a new initiative aimed at reshaping the country’s tourism industry by deploying professionally trained women chauffeurs for long-distance and multi-day tours.

The Chennai-based operator said the programme marks a first for India’s tourism sector, where long-haul driving roles have traditionally been dominated by men. By opening these positions to women, the company aims to create new career pathways while promoting more inclusive travel services.

The initiative is designed to benefit both travellers and local communities. Cholan Tours said female drivers could offer greater comfort and confidence to solo women travellers, families and...

TIME has announced its 2026 Women of the Year, honouring 16 influential figures from across entertainment, sports, business and activism for their work advancing equality and social progress.

This year’s honourees include actor and singer-songwriter Teyana Taylor, actor Lucy Liu, musician Brandi Carlile, actor Sheryl Lee Ralph, filmmaker Chloé Zhao and Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The list also recognises author and podcast host Mel Robbins, actor Mariska Hargitay and artist Amy Sherald.

Leaders from business and social impact are also featured, including Reshma Kewalramani, president and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Kecia Steelman, CEO of Ulta Beauty; and Reshma Saujani, founder...

Uzbekistan and Canada have discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, with a focus on building a strategic partnership in the mining and geological sectors, officials said on Tuesday.

The talks took place during a meeting between Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister of Mining and Geology Feruza Khamidova and Canada’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Christopher Duggan, according to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Mining and Geology.

During the discussions, Uzbek officials outlined ongoing reforms aimed at modernising the country’s mining sector. These included updates to the Law on Subsoil, the introduction of more transparent mechanisms for granting subsoil rights and the integration of Environmental, Social...

Uzbekistan has begun geological exploration operations in Afghanistan as part of a new cross-border resource cooperation initiative, officials said on Tuesday.

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Mining and Geology, the state-backed Uzbek Overseas Geology Company has started exploration work across several sites in northern Afghanistan, including the Muhammad-Jandagar, Shamar and Ahmadobod blocks.

The project will focus on identifying potential deposits of hydrocarbons as well as key metals such as iron and copper, the ministry said. Authorities view the initiative as part of broader efforts to expand Uzbekistan’s resource partnerships and strengthen regional economic ties.

An official launch ceremony...

Motorola has confirmed it will unveil full details of its upcoming Razr Fold on March 2, offering the clearest look yet at one of the most anticipated alternatives to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series.

The company teased the announcement in a social media post, saying «every detail» of the foldable will be revealed at the start of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona. The event is expected to mark the device’s official move from preview to full launch stage.

The Razr Fold was first teased in early January, but key specifications, including battery capacity, dimensions and pricing, have remained...

Gold remains near historic highs in early 2026, with prices rebounding above $5,000 per ounce despite recent volatility, as investors continue to seek safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainty, according Cameron Parry, CEO & Founder of Tally Money.

The precious metal briefly surged past $5,500 in late January before dipping below $4,700 in early February, prompting predictions of a reversal. However, the swift recovery has reinforced gold’s strong long-term trend, with prices still dramatically higher than a year ago when bullion traded below $3,000.

Analysts say tariffs and rising trade tensions have contributed to the latest rally, but broader...

The Taliban has enacted a sweeping new penal code that rights advocates say dramatically reshapes Afghanistan’s legal system by expanding state control, authorising corporal punishment and further stripping women and girls of legal protections.

According to reporting published on February 24, the 119-article document, titled the «Penal Principles of Taliban Courts», was signed on January 7 by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and took effect immediately, without public announcement or consultation. The code became public weeks later after Afghan human rights organisation Rawadari published the Pashto text, prompting criticism from legal experts and activists.

The regulation reportedly mandates absolute...

Nicole Kidman and John Travolta have been pulled into fresh dating speculation following a tabloid claim suggesting the two actors have reconnected after Kidman’s recent divorce from country star Keith Urban. Neither star has confirmed a romantic relationship, and the report relies on anonymous sourcing.

The rumour gained traction after Yahoo Entertainment republished a National Enquirer story citing an unnamed insider who alleged Travolta offered Kidman «a shoulder to lean on» following her split. The source claimed the pair had known each other for years, lost touch, and recently reconnected, but provided no direct evidence. Representatives for both...

Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum is weighing legal action against Elon Musk after he accused her of links to drug cartels, calling his remarks «ridiculous» and baseless.

The controversy erupted after Musk wrote on X that Sheinbaum was «saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say,» responding to a resurfaced 2025 video in which she rejected a return to a militarised «war on drugs.» Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Sheinbaum confirmed government lawyers are reviewing possible legal steps, saying the claims show a «lack of understanding of the national reality.»

The dispute comes amid escalating tensions...

China may face difficulties mounting a military campaign against Taiwan as President Xi Jinping’s sweeping purge of senior officials continues to reshape the country’s armed forces, analysts say.

A new report from the China Power Project found that around 101 senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers have disappeared from public view since 2022, part of a broader anti-corruption drive that has intensified in recent years. The removals have included high-ranking figures reportedly close to Xi, raising questions about the military’s readiness.

Bonny Lin, director of the Washington-based research initiative, said the scale of the purge could undermine China’s near-term operational...