News

A viral online petition demanding the immediate departure of Kylian Mbappe has swept through the Real Madrid fanbase. Millions of supporters have reportedly added their names to the campaign over the past few days, with some estimates suggesting the figure has already surpassed four million.

However, these numbers should be treated with caution. The website hosting the poll lacks verification protocols, making it easy for frustrated individuals to cast multiple votes or for bots to artificially inflate the total.

Holiday backlash

The online uproar is a reflection of fan frustration at the tail end of 2025-26 campaign...

A controversial document purportedly written by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been released to the public by a U.S. federal judge, Reuters reports. Unsealed on Wednesday, the handwritten message contains the chilling remark:

“It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to ​say goodbye.”

The disgraced financier was awaiting trial for the sex trafficking of minors in New York and Florida when he was found dead in his Manhattan prison cell in August 2019. His death was officially ruled a suicide.

A cellmate’s discovery

The origins of the...

Romance took centre stage in California on May 6 as Billie Eilish and Nat Wolff finally made their relationship red-carpet official, People reports. The couple stepped out at the Los Angeles premiere of the 24-year-old musician’s brand-new cinematic release, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D).

Eilish donned a black skirt paired with a green Ralph Lauren polo layered neatly over a white long-sleeved shirt. She finished the ensemble with intentionally mismatched red and blue socks.

Standing proudly beside her was 31-year-old Wolff, keeping things casually smart in a brown double-breasted suit and...

The broadcasting visionary who pioneered modern rolling news through the creation of CNN has died at the age of 87. The network confirmed the passing of Ted Turner, a man widely regarded as a revolutionary force in global media who fundamentally changed how humanity consumes information.

Birth of a 24-hour news empire

When Ted Turner launched the Cable News Network in 1980, the concept of a round-the-clock news channel was met with widespread scepticism. Critics dismissively dubbed the upstart broadcaster the “Chicken Noodle Network” while doubting its long-term viability. However, the channel cemented its reputation by providing rapid...

South Korean pop giants BTS met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace on Wednesday, May 6. Following the formal reception, the septet stepped onto a balcony at the presidential headquarters to wave to a staggering crowd of approximately 50,000 people who had flooded into the Zócalo according to local government estimates, Billboard reports.

Braving the sweltering heat, the dedicated fanbase known as ARMY waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the musicians before their three highly anticipated ARIRANG tour concerts kick off in the capital on Thursday, May 7. Addressing the country’s main public square...

Uzbekistan is setting its sights on officially joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) later this year. To pave the way for entry into the global trade alliance, officials in Tashkent have undertaken a comprehensive review and overhaul of numerous legislative acts.

During a recent briefing, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was updated on the nation’s progress. Key reforms include a streamlined process for registering intellectual property alongside stricter penalties for those who violate these rights. Furthermore, the government has moved to lift export restrictions on various categories of goods to stimulate international commerce.

The domestic business landscape is also experiencing...

Several prominent MAGA-aligned commentators have publicly broken with Donald Trump over the US conflict with Iran, exposing a growing divide within his political base.

High-profile figures including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Candace Owens have criticised the war, arguing it contradicts Trump’s previous pledges to avoid foreign entanglements. Carlson described the conflict as unnecessary for U.S. security, while Owens accused the administration of abandoning core campaign promises.

The backlash comes amid mixed public opinion. While many Republican voters continue to support the military action, a majority of Americans reportedly view it as a mistake, raising concerns about political...

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...