News

The Hong Kong government has launched a legal bid to confiscate assets worth more than HK$127 mln ($16.22 mln) from the imprisoned media tycoon Jimmy Lai, Reuters reports.

A High Court writ published on Tuesday outlines the targeted wealth which includes private company shares, small factory premises and numerous bank accounts belonging to the former billionaire.

The forfeiture hearing is scheduled to take place on July 8. Representatives for Lai’s legal team have declined to comment on the matter.

Targeted wealth and corporate assets

The most significant portion of the targeted wealth relates to Lai’s shares in two...

Malaysian firm Karex Bhd, the largest producer of condoms globally, is preparing to increase its prices by between 20% and 30%.

The company’s chief executive has warned that further hikes may be necessary if the ongoing conflict in Iran continues to severely disrupt international supply chains.

Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, CEO Goh Miah Kiat explained that Karex is currently experiencing a massive surge in demand. Skyrocketing freight costs and significant shipping delays have left many clients with dangerously low inventory levels.

“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive,” Goh stated. “We have...

Uzbekistan is preparing to establish a specialised cryptocurrency mining hub known as the Besqala Mining Valley.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the creation of this dedicated zone in the Republic of Karakalpakstan has been officially authorised by a decree from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

A defining feature of the new initiative is its flexible approach to power consumption. Miners operating within the valley will be permitted to draw electricity from the unified national grid alongside alternative power sources. Notably, this includes provisions for the use of hydrogen power stations to fuel energy-intensive mining operations.

Businesses granted residency in...

Italy’s tax authorities are tightening their grip on foreign athletes with Formula 1 drivers who have recently raced in the country now serving as the prime targets of a retrospective tax collection effort, RacingNews365 reports.

The Bologna division of the Guardia di Finanza (Italy’s financial police) has launched an inquiry into motorsport competitors and their respective teams. According to local newspaper Il Resto del Carlino, the probe centres on whether tax was adequately paid on earnings generated during Italian race weekends.

Under national law foreign sports professionals must pay tax on income earned while competing within Italy’s borders. Historically...

Uzbekistan has recorded a dramatic increase in international tourism during the first three months of 2026.

According to official figures provided by the Tourism Committee to Kursiv Uzbekistan, the country welcomed 2.87 mln foreign visitors between January and March. This represents a staggering year-on-year increase with 770,000 more tourists arriving than in the same period last year.

Central Asia drives the influx

Neighbouring nations provided the vast majority of international arrivals during the first quarter. Kyrgyzstan topped the list as the primary source of tourists with 807,000 citizens crossing the border. Tajikistan followed closely with 713,900 visitors and Kazakhstan...

South Africa is mourning the loss of Cynthia Philisiwe Shange, a trailblazer who famously shattered racial barriers during the height of the apartheid era, BBC reports. The revered actress and historic pageant contestant died in hospital early on Monday morning following a period of illness. She was 76.

The news was confirmed by her daughter, television personality Nonhle Thema. Taking to Instagram to share her grief, Thema posted a digital memorial celebrating her mother’s enduring legacy. She described Shange as a figure of immense grace whose presence radiated warmth, dignity and kindness to everyone she met.

Thema requested prayers...

A live-action cinematic adaptation of the massively popular fantasy video game Elden Ring is officially underway, Variety reports. Directed by Alex Garland, the project from A24 and Bandai Namco Entertainment is currently in production and is being shot specifically to be experienced on IMAX screens.

Fans of the dark fantasy epic can mark their calendars for March 3, 2028 when the film is slated to hit cinemas worldwide.

A star-studded ensemble

Alongside the release date, the studios have unveiled a massive ensemble cast and offered a glimpse into the characters they will portray. Heartstopper breakout star Kit Connor...

Following his arrest last Thursday, the recording artist known as D4vd has been formally charged with the murder of a teenage girl whose remains were discovered inside his vehicle, Variety reports.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced during a press conference on Monday that the singer, whose legal name is David Burke, faces a first-degree murder charge. This escalates the case significantly as it introduces the possibility of the death penalty. Burke is also facing further charges for committing lewd acts with a minor and dismembering the teenager’s body.

Authorities identified the victim as Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Hochman stated that...

Tim Cook will step down as chief executive of Apple on September 1, bringing to an end his 15-year tenure at the helm of one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Cook, who took over from Steve Jobs in 2011, will transition to the role of executive chairman of Apple’s board, the company confirmed. The move is part of what Apple described as a «thoughtful, long-term succession planning process.»

The company has named John Ternus, currently senior vice president of hardware engineering, as Cook’s successor. Ternus has played a key role in the development of Apple’s flagship products...

Donald Trump has insisted the United States is «under no pressure whatsoever» to strike a deal with Iran, as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides approaches its expiration.

Tensions escalated after the U.S. Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, an operation linked to Washington’s enforcement of a naval blockade. Tehran condemned the move and said it would refuse further negotiations unless the blockade is lifted.

Trump framed his stance as a strategic decision, arguing that patience strengthens the U.S. position. He described the broader operation as being «perfectly executed,» while critics say...

Scientists in China have unveiled a prototype system capable of charging drones mid-air using microwave energy, a development that could pave the way for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with near-unlimited flight time.

The research, led by Professor Song Liwei at Xidian University, demonstrated a car-mounted platform that beams power to a drone while both are in motion. In tests, the system kept a fixed-wing UAV airborne for just over three hours at an altitude of 15 metres.

The technology works by transmitting microwave energy from a ground-based emitter to an antenna array mounted beneath the drone. However, researchers...

Greece has temporarily suspended new EU biometric border checks for British travellers in a bid to ease severe airport delays during the peak holiday season.

The decision comes after the rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires non-EU visitors, including UK holidaymakers, to undergo fingerprinting and facial recognition checks upon arrival. The system, designed to replace passport stamping and monitor visa limits, has led to queues of up to four hours at some European airports.

Greek tourism officials said the exemption would «ensure a smoother and more efficient arrival experience» and significantly reduce waiting times. The move...

Mitch Winehouse has lost a High Court legal battle against two of Amy Winehouse’s close friends over the sale of the late singer’s personal belongings.

The case centred on claims that stylist Naomi Parry and friend Catriona Gourlay had improperly profited from auctioning items in the United States in 2021 and 2023. Acting as administrator of his daughter’s estate, Mitch Winehouse alleged the pair had concealed the sales.

However, Deputy High Court Judge Sarah Clarke KC dismissed the claims, ruling that neither woman had deliberately hidden the items and that the claimant could have identified them with reasonable...

Tech billionaire Elon Musk failed to attend a voluntary hearing in France on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation into his social media platform X, according to the Paris public prosecutor’s office.

Authorities confirmed that Musk’s absence would not affect the probe, noting that neither he nor former X chief Linda Yaccarino was legally required to appear.

French prosecutors have been investigating X for about a year over allegations that its algorithms were manipulated to amplify far-right content. The inquiry also includes concerns about Holocaust denial and AI-generated deepfake material produced by the platform’s chatbot Grok, including...

U.S. forces have seized an Iranian-linked container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in tensions that could threaten a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

According to United States Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Marines launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli by helicopter to board and capture the vessel, identified as the M/V Touska. The operation reportedly involved warning shots fired at the ship’s engine before it was taken into custody.

The seizure followed a series of incidents in the region, including Iran temporarily restricting traffic through the Strait, attacking an Indian tanker...

A rejected contestant from Dragons’ Den is now on track to build a £10 mln business, proving that turning down investment can sometimes pay off.

Lucie MacLeod, 24, appeared on the show seeking £190,000 for a 3% stake in her haircare brand Hair Syrup. Despite pitching to high-profile investors including Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett, she left without securing a deal after all six Dragons declined to invest.

MacLeod launched Hair Syrup after experimenting with natural hair treatments as a teenager. What began as homemade remedies quickly gained traction after a viral TikTok video, eventually growing...

The FIA has announced a comprehensive suite of proposed adjustments to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. These refinements follow intensive consultations between the sport’s governing body, technical delegates and the drivers themselves.

Built upon data harvested from the first three races of the 2026 season, the tweaks aim to resolve early teething problems with the new engine formula. The initial regulations were crafted in close collaboration with the FIA, competing teams, power unit manufacturers and Formula One Management. Following an upcoming electronic vote by the World Motor Sport Council, the majority of these new proposals will come into active...

A viral LEGO-style animation titled «Goodbye Charlie» has taken social media by storm, racking up millions of views across platforms like YouTube and X while leaving viewers questioning its origins.

The clip features a satirical country song and follows a dramatic storyline centred on a character named Erica, whose seemingly perfect life unravels into a chaotic, soap opera-style narrative. With moody visuals, exaggerated expressions, and a catchy chorus repeating «Goodbye Charlie,» the video blends humour with dark storytelling, creating a striking contrast that has captivated audiences.

The animation’s over-the-top plot and earworm soundtrack have fuelled widespread discussion online...

Eight children have been killed and several others injured after a gunman opened fire at two homes in Shreveport in what police described as a domestic-related incident.

Authorities said the shooting occurred early Sunday morning in the Cedar Grove neighbourhood, where an adult male suspect shot 10 people, including children aged between one and 14. Two women were critically injured, while another child was hurt after jumping from a roof to escape.

The suspect fled the scene in a stolen vehicle before being shot dead by officers following a pursuit in nearby Bossier Parish, according to Louisiana State...

Pro-Russian former President Rumen Radev is on course for a sweeping victory in Bulgaria’s parliamentary election according to recent exit polls, Reuters reports.

This decisive result could secure his party a governing majority, thereby ending a prolonged period of fragile coalition governments and potentially shifting the foreign policy of the European Union member state.

A political earthquake

Data published by the Sofia-based polling agency Alpha Research indicates that Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party has captured an astonishing 44% of the vote. This places them drastically ahead of the historically dominant GERB party led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov

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...