News

U.S. defence officials have dismissed unusual claims that Iran could deploy «kamikaze dolphins» during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, after being pressed on the issue at a Pentagon briefing.

Speaking alongside General Dan Caine, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reacted with humour when asked about reports suggesting Iran might use trained marine animals to attack ships. Both officials said they were unaware of any such capability, with Caine jokingly comparing the idea to «sharks with laser beams.»

The claims stem from reports that Iran may have explored reviving Cold War-era programmes involving military-trained dolphins, originally acquired from...

The World Health Organisation has confirmed a deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, with three passengers dead and several others critically ill.

Two cases have been officially confirmed, with five more suspected among the nearly 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries. Health officials warn the outbreak may involve the Andes strain of the virus, which can spread between humans — raising concerns in the ship’s confined environment.

The vessel, which departed Argentina in April on an Antarctic expedition, has become the centre of an international health response after the first passenger fell ill mid-voyage...

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has met Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two regions.

The meeting took place at Government House during Aripov’s visit to Hong Kong for trade and economic events. Both sides discussed expanding cooperation across business, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a global financial hub and a «super connector» linking mainland China with international markets, encouraging Uzbek companies to establish a presence in the city.

He also pointed to opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that both Hong Kong...

India’s young boxers have secured at least 27 medals in the U-15 category at the Asian Boxing U15 & U17 Championships 2026 in Tashkent, delivering a dominant performance.

The U-15 girls’ team guaranteed 14 out of 15 possible medals, while the boys confirmed 13, putting India on course for a historic finish in the tournament.

Several bouts were decided by RSC (Referee Stops Contest), underlining India’s attacking strength. Sastha Vasanth Ashok Kumar and Parshant both secured first-round stoppages against opponents from the UAE, while Nitin and Harshvardhan Jeena followed with second-round RSC victories.

Other boxers, including Yash Kumar

TBC Bank Group reported strong first-quarter 2026 results, highlighting continued profit growth and expansion across its core markets.

The bank posted net profit of around GEL 360–365 mln, up roughly 14–15% year-on-year, supported by higher revenues and solid lending activity.

Revenue also increased, with total income rising about 11% compared to the same period last year, reflecting strong performance in its Georgian operations and growing digital engagement.

Return on equity remained robust at around 23%, underlining the group’s profitability despite rising costs and slightly higher non-performing loans.

Management noted that while Georgia delivered strong results, operations in Uzbekistan...

Global markets rallied and oil prices fell after reports that the United States and Iran are close to reaching a deal to end the ongoing conflict.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, dropped to around $97 per barrel after earlier trading above $108, reflecting easing concerns over supply disruptions. Prices remain elevated compared with pre-conflict levels of around $70.

Stock markets responded positively to the news. The FTSE 100 rose more than 2%, while Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 also posted strong gains. Asian markets closed higher, led by a surge in South Korea’s Kospi index.

The movements...

U.S. President Donald Trump has paused a military operation aimed at escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz just 50 hours after launching it.

The initiative, known as «Project Freedom», was announced on Sunday as a response to rising tensions with Iran, which has threatened vessels in the region. The strait is a critical route for global energy supplies, carrying around 20% of the world’s oil and gas.

The U.S. deployed warships, aircraft and thousands of personnel to guide stranded vessels, with two merchant ships reportedly passing safely through on the first day.

However, Trump later announced the operation...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) brokered a financing agreement with renewable energy giant Acwa Power to construct the Bash-2 wind power plant in Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region. The joint venture represents a massive financial commitment, with the partners set to inject a combined total of $116 mln into the green energy initiative.

Expanding the wind park

The new 300 MW facility will serve as a direct extension of the previously completed Bash wind farm. To achieve this scale, the development roadmap includes several major infrastructure installations:

The Eurasian Fund for Stabilisation and Development (EFSD) predicts that the highly anticipated Kambar-Ata 1 hydropower plant (HPP) will produce approximately 6,000 gigawatts of electricity annually. As reported by 24.kg, analysts from the organisation highlighted the Naryn River development as Bishkek’s most significant venture into the hydropower sector to date.

Tackling regional water scarcity

Beyond its massive energy output, the project holds crucial water management implications for the wider region. According to the EFSD report, Central Asia is hurtling towards an incredibly high risk of severe water shortages by the year 2040.

Operating the power station during the...

The Detroit Pistons have finally exorcised a 17-year postseason demon. Behind a stellar 23-point performance from Cade Cunningham and 20 points from Tobias Harris, the top-seeded Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 on Tuesday night to take Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.

The victory ended an agonising NBA record-tying 12-game playoff losing streak against a single opponent. Detroit’s postseason drought against Cleveland had stretched all the way back to the 2007 Eastern Conference finals.

Capitalising on mistakes

Duncan Robinson contributed 19 points for Detroit as they aggressively targeted Cleveland’s star-studded backcourt. The Pistons’ defensive intensity forced...

A former delivery driver who confessed to the abduction and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Texas has been condemned to the execution chamber, NBC reports. Following a sentencing phase that lasted over a fortnight, a jury ordered the death penalty for 34-year-old Tanner Horner on Tuesday.

Horner had been scheduled to stand trial but abruptly pleaded guilty on April 7 to the capital murder and aggravated kidnapping of Athena Strand. The crime occurred in the rural community of Paradise in Wise County during the winter of 2022.

A lethal delivery

The timeline of the tragedy traces back...

According to a draft text reviewed by Reuters, North Korea has drastically altered its constitution. The sweeping revisions officially abandon any historical ambitions for reunification and formally define South Korea as a distinct, bordering nation. This historic legal shift codifies leader Kim Jong Un’s aggressive drive to treat the two Koreas as completely separate and hostile entities.

A new territorial definition

The constitutional amendments are believed to have been ratified during a March session of the Supreme People’s Assembly. Speaking at a South Korean Unification Ministry briefing on Wednesday, Seoul National University professor Lee Jung-chul noted that this...

Diageo has defied gloomy analyst expectations by posting a 0.3% increase in quarterly organic net sales, Reuters reports. A company-compiled poll had initially predicted a 2.3% decline for the three months ending in March, but the world’s leading spirits manufacturer was buoyed by robust demand for Guinness across Britain and Ireland.

Sales were further bolstered by consumers in Latin America and the Caribbean actively stocking up on beverages ahead of the upcoming football World Cup.

North American struggles

Despite the overall positive figures, global growth was hindered by a sluggish performance in the United States. North America remains...

The debate surrounding the cost of modern video games has reignited with a bold new proposal. According to one financial analyst, Rockstar’s upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) should launch with an $80 price tag, not just to maximise profits but for the overall health of the gaming industry.

The suggestion comes from Omar Dessouky, a securities stock analyst at Bank of America. Speaking in response to discussions at the inaugural IICON Video Game Conference in Las Vegas, a new summit designed for C-suite executives and senior interactive entertainment leaders, Dessouky argued that a price hike is necessary.

Uzbekistan national team manager Fabio Cannavaro has unveiled his provisional 40-man squad for a crucial pre-tournament training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The extensive preliminary roster features a strong contingent of 11 players who possess valuable experience playing in the Russian Premier League or for Russian-based clubs. Among these seasoned names are prominent forwards and midfielders such as Eldor Shomurodov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Oston Urunov.

Adding elite English top-flight experience to the selection, Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov has also been called up to join the national side. His inclusion highlights the growing international footprint of Uzbek...

Hugh Jackman has faced criticism after attending the 2026 Met Gala with his new girlfriend Sutton Foster.

The couple made their official debut at the event, arriving together on the red carpet at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Foster, attending the gala for the first time, wore a shimmering gown, while Jackman opted for a classic black tuxedo.

However, their appearance has sparked backlash online, with some critics accusing Jackman of moving on too publicly following his split from ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness.

Others criticised the couple’s fashion choices, with some social media users calling their looks «safe» or «boring...

Madonna stunned at the 2026 Met Gala with a dramatic and almost unrecognisable new look that quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about moments.

Arriving at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the pop icon embraced a bold transformation, wearing an ultra-long, jet-black wig that cascaded down her body. The striking hairstyle, featuring tousled waves, crimped textures and tight braids, gave off a distinct «witchy» aesthetic aligned with high-fashion styling.

The look was created in collaboration with wigmaker Merria Dearman and hairstylist Eugene Souleiman, and paired with a Saint Laurent ensemble that reinforced the night’s artistic theme.

Her...

Canadian authorities have denied entry to senior Iranian football officials ahead of the upcoming FIFA Congress in Vancouver, citing security concerns.

Among those turned away was Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian football federation, who was reportedly stopped at Toronto Pearson Airport and returned abroad despite initially receiving a visa. Officials said the decision was linked to alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada classifies as a terrorist group.

The move has triggered diplomatic tensions, with Iranian authorities condemning the decision as unacceptable and disrespectful. Canadian officials, however, reiterated that individuals associated with the IRGC...

Kid Cudi has removed M.I.A. from his Rebel Ragers Tour following controversial on-stage comments that drew boos from fans.

The tour, which also features Big Boi and A-Trak, began in Phoenix on 28 April. However, tensions escalated during a show in Dallas on 2 May, when M.I.A. told the crowd she was being «canceled for being a brown Republican voter».

She also faced backlash for remarks about her 2010 track «Illegal», prompting a negative reaction from the audience. Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Kid Cudi said he...

Katy Perry has sparked widespread debate after unveiling a bold and unconventional look at the 2026 Met Gala in New York.

The 41-year-old arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a white strapless gown by Stella McCartney, paired with matching opera gloves and a mirrored mesh mask. The dramatic outfit, complete with a slightly singed train, was her interpretation of this year’s theme, «Fashion is Art».

As Perry posed on the iconic steps, she lifted the mask to reveal her face, drawing immediate attention both on the red carpet and online.

Social media reactions ranged from playful...

Olivia Wilde has responded with humour to viral rumours about her health after an unflattering red carpet clip sparked widespread online speculation.

The footage, filmed at the San Francisco International Film Festival on 24 April, showed Wilde promoting her film The Invite. A close-up shot, distorted by a wide-angle lens, made her appearance look unusually gaunt, quickly turning the clip into a viral meme and prompting comparisons to Gollum.

Addressing the moment on Instagram, Wilde appeared alongside her brother Charlie Cockburn, jokingly responding to claims she looked like a «resurrected corpse». She blamed the effect on a fisheye...

Snooker fans are calling for Wu Yize to bring back his iconic mullet, even as the 22-year-old celebrates a historic victory at the World Snooker Championship.

The Chinese star debuted a more conventional hairstyle at the Crucible, prompting a strong reaction online. A viral Reddit poll shows nearly 80% of fans want the mullet to return, highlighting its cult status during his rise on tour.

Off the table, however, Wu has made headlines for all the right reasons. He edged past Shaun Murphy in a dramatic 18–17 final to become the second-youngest world champion in history, capping a...

Doris Fisher, who built the high street heavyweight Gap into a global phenomenon alongside her husband Don, has passed away at the age of 94. The company confirmed she died peacefully on Saturday surrounded by her family, though no specific cause of death was disclosed, BBC reports.

The retail empire was born in San Francisco in 1969, sparked by Don’s frustration at being unable to find a well-fitting pair of jeans. It was Doris who conceived the brand’s iconic name, drawing inspiration from the “generation gap” in a strategic move to attract a younger demographic of shoppers.

While Don...

A fresh trade artery has been established to connect China with Afghanistan, relying heavily on Uzbekistan as a crucial transit hub. According to the rail container operator Uztemiryulkonteyner, this newly launched corridor integrates both rail and road networks to streamline the movement of goods across the region.

The logistics operation begins on the railway, with shipping containers passing through the Altynkol station in Kazakhstan before arriving at a major distribution centre in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Once at the facility, the cargo is unloaded and transferred onto heavy goods vehicles. From Bukhara, the lorries travel south through Turkmenistan before reaching their...