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Australia’s most highly decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, is facing severe legal action after being apprehended on suspicion of committing atrocities during his deployments to Afghanistan, Australian Federal Police (AFP) reports.

Ben Roberts-Smith was taken into custody at Sydney airport on Tuesday. The 47-year-old former Special Air Service (SAS) corporal, who departed the military in 2013, will spend the night in a police cell before a scheduled bail hearing on Wednesday. Authorities have formally accused the Victoria Cross recipient of five separate war crime charges related to murder.

Details of the charges and investigations

During a press briefing...

A California courtroom has granted Grammy-winning musician Lil Nas X the opportunity to participate in a mental health diversion initiative following a chaotic altercation with law enforcement last summer, BBC reports.

The 26-year-old artist, legally named Montero Lamar Hill, faced legal jeopardy after a late-night incident in August on Los Angeles’s Ventura Boulevard. During the episode, Hill was apprehended while wandering the streets wearing nothing but underwear and cowboy boots.

Following allegations of assaulting officers and resisting detainment, authorities transported him to a local hospital due to concerns over a suspected overdose.

Legal сonditions and сonsequences

During a...

Tokyo’s famous Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees, which were primarily planted during the rapid postwar urban expansion of the 1960s, are rapidly approaching the end of their biological lifespans.

The severity of this case became undeniable on April 2 when two prominent trees unexpectedly gave way. One massive specimen collapsed in Kinuta Park. Standing at a towering 18 meters tall with a trunk span of 2.5 meters, the tree had lived for more than six decades.

Simultaneously, another aging trunk crashed down along the Chidorigafuchi greenway, narrowly avoiding a plunge into the historic Imperial Palace moat. Neither of these...

Uzbekistan has ranked near the bottom in Central Asia for internet freedom in 2026, according to a study by Cloudwards. The country scored 24 out of 100, placing it ahead of only Turkmenistan in the region.

Across Central Asia, Tajikistan recorded the highest score with 56 points, followed by Kyrgyzstan with 52. Kazakhstan took a middle position at 36, while Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, with 16 points, remained among the most restrictive environments for internet users.

Globally, Belgium, Finland, Denmark and New Zealand topped the rankings with 92 points each, reflecting minimal censorship and strong protections for online expression.

At...

Shiloh Jolie, the daughter of Hollywood actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has made an unexpected appearance in a new K-pop music video by Dayoung of Cosmic Girls (WJSN).

Starship Entertainment released a teaser for Dayoung’s second digital single, «What’s a Girl to Do», on April 2, with the full video set to be unveiled on April 7. The preview shows Dayoung performing in a stylised and energetic setting before cutting to a brief appearance by a foreign performer, later confirmed to be Shiloh.

According to the agency, performers for the video were selected through an open audition held in...

Astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission have, for the first time in crewed spaceflight, observed the far side of the Moon with the naked eye during their lunar flyby.

As they passed the lunar surface, the crew saw a stark landscape lacking the familiar dark maria visible from Earth, instead dominated by dense craters, including the vast Orientale basin. NASA said images released from the mission show both sides of the Moon, with the near side marked by dark patches formed by ancient lava flows, while the far side remains largely hidden from Earth due to the Moon’s synchronous...

The UK government is facing mounting pressure to block Kanye West from entering the country ahead of his planned headline performance at London’s Wireless Festival in July.

The rapper, now known as Ye, has drawn repeated criticism for antisemitic remarks and past praise of Nazism. His booking has sparked political backlash, with the opposition Conservative Party urging Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to deny him entry.

A Home Office source said ministers are reviewing his case, although the department typically does not comment on individual immigration decisions.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the decision to book West as «deeply...

Supermodel Gigi Hadid has denied any association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein after her name appeared in newly released U.S. Department of Justice documents.

The reference stems from a 2015 email exchange in which Epstein responded to a query about the modelling success of Hadid and her sister, Bella Hadid. The exchange contained no evidence of direct contact between Hadid and Epstein.

Responding publicly, Hadid said the mention was «horrible to read» and «made me sick to my stomach,» stressing she had «never had any affiliation» with him. She added that she was around 20 at the time...

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman has sharply criticised Donald Trump, accusing him of acting as a «terrorist in chief» over threats to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure.

Krugman’s remarks came after Trump warned he could target key facilities in Iran if Tehran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route. The economist argued that such threats align with the U.S. government’s own definition of terrorism, which includes violence or threats against civilians to advance political goals.

He called on American political leaders from both parties to condemn the rhetoric, warning it risks further damaging the...

Emmanuel Macron has proposed banning children under 15 from using social media, in what could become Europe’s first nationwide restriction of its kind.

The measure, backed by France’s National Assembly, could come into force by September if approved by the Senate. It is part of a broader push to protect young people online, alongside a ban on smartphones in schools.

Macron has defended the move by warning of the impact of social media on children’s mental health, saying:

«Our children’s brains are not for sale.»

However, the proposal has sparked mixed reactions...

Max Verstappen is set to lose one of his most trusted team members, as long-serving Red Bull mechanic Ole Schack has reportedly resigned during a turbulent period for the team.

Schack, who has been part of Red Bull since its early days and worked closely with Verstappen throughout his four championship-winning seasons, is expected to leave later this year. His departure marks a significant change within Verstappen’s inner circle.

The move comes amid wider upheaval at Red Bull Racing, which has seen several high-profile exits, including adviser Helmut Marko and former team principal Christian Horner. New team boss...

Annual inflation in Uzbekistan eased to 7.1% in March, down from 7.3% in February and significantly lower than 10.3% recorded a year earlier, according to the national statistics committee.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.6% in March, unchanged from February but 0.3 percentage points lower than in March 2025. Core inflation, which excludes fruit and vegetables, stood at 0.5% month-on-month and 7.8% year-on-year, less than half the level seen a year ago.

In the first quarter of 2026, overall prices increased by 1.9%.

Food prices rose by 1.2% in March, accelerating from 0.9% in February...

German grandmaster Vincent Keymer has won the Freestyle Chess Open A at the grenke Chess Festival in Karlsruhe, securing qualification for the 2027 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship.

Keymer finished level on points with France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave but claimed first place on tiebreak after a short draw between the two in the final round. Both players ended ahead of a chasing pack led by world number one Magnus Carlsen, who remained in contention but could not catch the лидers on the final day.

With the victory, Keymer earns €60,000 in prize money and joins Carlsen, Nodirbek Abdusattorov and...

Three people have been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield in Leeds.

Chloe, from Gomersal, was found unconscious on Kennerleigh Avenue in the Austhorpe area shortly before 06:00 GMT on Saturday. She was taken to hospital but died a short time later.

Kayla Smith, 18, Archie Rycroft, 19, and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Leeds Magistrates’ Court charged with her murder. Smith and Rycroft were remanded in custody, while the teenager was placed in secure accommodation ahead of a hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday.

Rycroft...

Discussions on reforms in Uzbekistan’s cotton sector are increasingly focusing on the working conditions of farmers, as dialogue continues between authorities and rights groups.

According to Umida Niyazova, founder of the Uzbek Forum for Human Rights, recent research highlights risks faced by cotton and wheat producers rather than seasonal pickers, who have been the main focus of past scrutiny.

A joint report with Human Rights Watch found that farmers may be exposed to conditions associated with potential forced labour, based on indicators developed by the International Labour Organisation. These include vulnerability, pressure, and wage-related issues, although no specific...

Construction of the National Museum of Uzbekistan, one of Central Asia’s most ambitious cultural projects, is progressing toward its planned opening in 2028.

The complex, located in the heart of Tashkent, is being designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando in collaboration with international partners. The project aims to combine modern architectural concepts with Uzbekistan’s historical heritage.

Spanning around 40,000 square metres, the museum will include exhibition halls, a public library, educational spaces, and conservation laboratories. It is expected to house more than 100,000 artworks and artefacts, many of which have not previously been displayed.

The design will...

Lawmakers in Uzbekistan are preparing a new draft law aimed at strengthening protections for animals and tackling cruelty more effectively, officials said.

The initiative, developed by the Ecological Party’s faction in parliament, comes despite a recent decline in reported abuse cases. Deputies say existing penalties remain insufficient, as incidents of cruelty continuer to occur, sometimes without clear motive.

In March, Uzbekistan already increased fines and introduced administrative detention of up to 15 days for offenders. However, the new bill, titled «On the Protection of Animals from Cruel Treatment», is designed to create a broader legal framework focused on...

Indian boxer Preeti Pawar advanced to the women’s 54kg final at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026 after defeating Aeji Im in a dominant semifinal bout.

Pawar secured a 5–0 unanimous decision victory, winning all three rounds against the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist. She will now face Huang Hsiao-wen of Chinese Taipei for the gold medal.

Under India’s selection rules, reaching the final guarantees direct qualification for both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

India saw mixed results in other categories. Former world champion Nikhat Zareen, Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain, and Olympian Pooja Rani all lost their...

Afghanistan is aiming to boost trade with Central Asian countries to $10 bn within the next three to four years, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said.

Speaking at a regional meeting in Kabul with representatives from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, Muttaqi noted that current trade turnover reached $2.7 bn in 2025, showing steady growth.

He said Afghanistan plans to leverage its geographic position to become a key transit hub linking Central Asia with South and West Asian markets. Among priority projects is the TAPI gas pipeline, which remains under development.

Efforts to expand trade come despite...

Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov finished the first round of the Candidates Tournament in Cyprus as the sole leader, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) reports.

🇺🇿 Sindarov dominates at the halfway mark, 🇺🇦 Muzychuk retains the lead

🇺🇿 Javokhir Sindarov finished the first half of the FIDE Candidates Tournament in the lead with an impressive 6/7, holding a clear 1½ point advantage over 🇺🇸 Fabiano Caruana. In the Women’s FIDE Candidates,… pic.twitter.com/pQWf9VqGax

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) April 5, 2026

The 20-year-old scored six points out of seven, giving him a comfortable 1.5-point lead over nearest rival...

Corporate backers are rapidly abandoning London’s upcoming Wireless Festival amid growing outrage over the decision to book Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, for a massive three-day headline slot.

On Sunday, beverage heavyweight Pepsi officially severed ties with the music event, ending a nearly decade-long run of the event being billed as «Pepsi MAX Presents Wireless.» While Pepsi abstained from mentioning Ye by name, their departure followed intense public scrutiny.

Within hours, Diageo, the global spirits distributor behind Captain Morgan and Johnnie Walker, also pulled its sponsorship. Both corporations had been facing mounting digital pressure from critics...

In Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the local Catholic community gathers at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for a joyous Easter Mass.

The service traditionally begins with the blessing of the Paschal candle, which serves as a poignant symbol of the light of Christ. Throughout the liturgy, biblical passages are read aloud, prayers and traditional church hymns echo through the nave, and the clergy joyfully proclaim the resurrection of Christ.

Affectionately known by many locals as the “Polish Church”, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a magnificent neo-Gothic building with a rich history.

As one of the...

NASA’s Artemis II crew encountered technical problems with the Orion spacecraft’s toilet system during their lunar test flight, despite the mission otherwise proceeding without major complications.

The capsule, built by Lockheed Martin, is equipped with a Universal Waste Management System similar to the one used on the International Space Station. However, the system has proven difficult to operate consistently in microgravity.

Shortly after reaching space, the toilet signalled a fault. Mission specialist Christina Koch helped restore functionality with assistance from Mission Control, with the issue traced to a pump that required additional water to operate properly.

The system relies...

Controversial internet personalities Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate have reportedly travelled to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, according to a recent social media update shared by the older brother.

In a post shared to his 10.9 mln followers on X (formerly Twitter), Andrew Tate is seen standing outside a building in the Uzbek capital alongside his brother, Tristan, and a small entourage. The brothers appear to be wearing traditional heavily embroidered Uzbek chapan coats, which are often gifted as a sign of honour and respect to visitors.

Tate captioned the photograph: “A very warm welcome into Tashkent Uzbekistan...