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Turkey has signed new serial production agreements for its domestically developed Hisar-A and Hisar-O air defence missile systems, strengthening the country’s multi-layered “Steel Dome” air defence network.

The contracts were signed with leading defence companies Aselsan and Roketsan following decisions by Turkey’s Defence Industry Executive Committee. Defence Industries Secretary Haluk Gorgun said the agreements will accelerate mass production of the short- and medium-range air defence systems, which are designed to protect against aircraft, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles.

Gorgun said the expansion reflects Turkey’s growing defence-industrial capacity, which now includes more than 4,000 companies and around 100,000 engineers...

England face an anxious wait over the fitness of key players Declan Rice and Marc Guehi ahead of Saturday’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Norway after both missed full training this week.

Rice has been recovering from illness, while Guehi is managing a hamstring issue. The pair trained separately alongside Reece James, who is also working his way back from injury. Despite the concerns, England manager Thomas Tuchel remains hopeful that Rice and Guehi will be available for the clash in Miami.

England’s preparations have also been complicated by defender Jarell Quansah’s suspension, increasing the importance of Guehi’s...

France midfielder Adrien Rabiot has stirred controversy after claiming Les Bleus “didn’t have to worry a lot” about Morocco following their 2-0 victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.

Speaking after the match, Rabiot said France felt Morocco posed little attacking threat throughout the game, adding that the team “had little to fear” despite the Atlas Lions’ impressive run to the last eight. France secured their place in the semi-finals with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele after controlling much of the contest.

Morocco, the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in...

The recent conflict involving Iran has reignited debate over NATO’s purpose and strategic role beyond its traditional borders, with some analysts arguing that the alliance has increasingly become an instrument supporting broader Western geopolitical objectives rather than solely a collective defence organisation.

In a commentary published as part of an IOL BRICS series, the author argues that the Iran conflict demonstrated NATO’s political alignment with U.S. and Israeli security interests. The piece contends that several alliance members publicly backed Washington’s military actions, reinforcing perceptions among parts of the Global South that NATO increasingly acts as a geopolitical bloc...

Israeli intelligence reportedly warned the United States of a new Iranian plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to multiple U.S. media reports. The alleged plot was shared with Washington in recent days and is believed to be linked to Tehran’s long-standing vow to avenge the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, which was ordered during Trump’s first presidency.

Neither the White House nor Israeli officials have publicly confirmed details of the reported intelligence, while Iran has not officially commented on the latest claims. The reports come amid heightened regional tensions following renewed military confrontation between the...

The Rolling Stones have returned with a biting critique of modern global affairs on their 25th studio album. Released today, “Foreign Tongues” combines hard-hitting blues, poignant power ballads and sharp political commentary, proving the rock veterans remain fully engaged with contemporary anxieties.

Following the critical success of 2023’s “Hackney Diamonds”, the core trio of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood reunited with producer Andrew Watt. The resulting 14-track collection, recorded in less than a month at west London’s Metropolis Studios, captures a visceral urgency that defies the band’s advancing years.

Jagger, 82, directs his lyrical frustration at rising autocracy...

OpenAI has introduced three new artificial intelligence models to its GPT-5.6 family, following a commercial release delay prompted by White House security reviews.

The San Francisco-based technology company stated that the new software releases, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Terra and GPT-5.6 Luna, outperform rival market systems Claude Mythos 5 and Fable 5 across a variety of performance benchmarks.

The widespread product rollout was originally scheduled to take place in June. However, the official launch was postponed after the Donald Trump administration demanded that OpenAI first grant early system access to U.S. government-approved organisations, according to a report published by The...

Global foreign direct investment showed resilience in 2025, climbing 6% to reach $1.6 trln globally despite geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainty.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development World Investment Report 2026, this growth masks underlying fragilities and stark disparities across regions. While developed economies saw an 11% surge in inflows, developing economies recorded a modest 2% increase to just above $901 bn. Amid this uneven global recovery, Central Asia emerged as a regional bright spot.

Foreign direct investment in Central Asia increased from $4 bn to $5 bn in 2025. This...

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has identified Uzbekistan as a model for building resilient food systems amid global crises. The endorsement appears in the organisation’s latest publication, “The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2026: Trade, Resilience and Food Security”.

The report commends the Central Asian nation for overhauling its grain procurement and storage infrastructure. Uzbekistan previously purchased approximately 50% of its domestic wheat production for state reserves. By 2024, the government had significantly reduced this figure to just 11% of annual consumption.

Rather than maintaining massive buffer stocks, authorities shifted their focus toward expanding targeted financial assistance...

Prominent Turkish actor Kivanc Tatlitug and his wife, stylist Basak Dizer, are reportedly preparing to welcome their second child. Local media reports suggest that the couple, who married in Paris in 2016, are expecting a girl.

While neither the actor nor his wife have issued an official confirmation regarding the pregnancy, widespread reports cite industry sources claiming Dizer is currently five months pregnant. This addition to their family would follow the birth of their son, Kurt Efe, who arrived in 2022.

Anticipation for a growing family

The news of the pregnancy has drawn significant attention from fans and...

Activision has launched the original Call of Duty: Black Ops and its sequel on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, marking a long-awaited return for the classic shooters. However, the digital pricing structure has drawn immediate criticism from the community, with total costs for the full experience reaching as high as $140 if purchased without discounts.

The base games are priced at $40 each, while both titles require an additional $29.99 per season pass to unlock the full slate of post-launch content. For fans hoping to relive the complete experience, the combined financial commitment for two titles released over a...

Twelve people have died following a catastrophic wildfire that has engulfed the Almeria province in southern Spain. The blaze, which prompted an urgent response from emergency services, is currently being managed by 150 firefighters as they attempt to bring the inferno under control.

The Emergency Agency of Andalusia confirmed the rising death toll early on Friday, marking a significant escalation from initial reports that cited six fatalities. The fire is primarily impacting Los Gallardos, a municipality located within the province. Local authorities have scrambled to contain the spread, facing difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions that have hampered containment...

Kylian Mbappe now sits shoulder-to-shoulder with Lionel Messi at the summit of the tournament scoring charts. The French captain registered his eighth goal of the campaign during Thursday’s 2-0 quarter-final triumph over Morocco.

This strike not only mirrored the Argentine legend’s current output but also pushed the Parisian forward to 20 career goals on football’s biggest stage. He now sits just a single conversion behind Messi on the all-time historic list. At just 27 years old, the attacker cemented his legacy further by matching Hugo Lloris’s national record of 20 appearances in the global competition.

His milestone evening began...

Chinese authorities have frozen corporate bank accounts and detained factory staff following a catastrophic blaze that killed 28 people at a major footwear plant in Jinjiang.

The inferno ripped through the Huiteng Footwear facility around noon on Thursday, trapping workers on the roof as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. Emergency services deployed more than 500 responders to the industrial site to battle the flames.

Of the nearly 240 people inside the building when the fire ignited, rescue teams managed to evacuate 213. However, 26 individuals initially reported missing were later discovered dead inside the complex and two...

South Korean entertainment powerhouses IU and Lee Jong Suk have ended their relationship after four years together.

On Friday, IU’s management EDAM Entertainment and Lee’s agency ACE FACTORY issued joint statements confirming the split. Both companies noted that the former couple decided to part ways amicably and will maintain a supportive professional relationship.

The pair first crossed paths in 2012 while co-hosting the music broadcasting programme “Inkigayo”. After maintaining a close friendship for a decade, their dynamic eventually evolved into a romance. They publicly confirmed their dating status on New Year’s Eve in 2022 following reports of a shared...

A 21-year-old medical student from Kerala was murdered in Uzbekistan by a classmate following alleged attempts to force her religious conversion.

Sawariya Basanth was a freshman at the Bukhara State Medical Institute. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Sadarul Anam, a fellow student from Kerala’s Malappuram district, in connection with her death.

Following the repatriation of Basanth’s body, Indian authorities conducted a second post-mortem on Thursday at the Alappuzha Medical College hospital at the request of her family. Relatives subsequently cremated her remains.

Harippad Police registered a local murder case based on a complaint from the victim’s father. Station House Officer...

Iran has launched another wave of missile and drone strikes targeting US-linked military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan, following reports of fresh American airstrikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant. The renewed attacks mark a sharp escalation in tensions and threaten to derail a fragile ceasefire reached only weeks ago.

According to US officials, the latest operation targeted military infrastructure and assets that Washington says support Iranian operations around the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities reported casualties from the strikes and accused the US of expanding its military campaign, while state media said explosions were heard...

Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer whose unmistakably gravelly voice propelled theatrical rock ballads like “Total Eclipse of the Heart” to global success, has died. She was 75.
BBC News reported her death on Thursday.

Born Gaynor Hopkins in the south Wales village of Skewen in 1951, she was the fourth of six children raised in a four-bed council house by a coal miner and a homemaker. Music was a constant in her childhood home. Her mother frequently sang opera or pop songs like “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini” while managing the household.

A childhood trip to see a...

A fleeting interaction at Paris Fashion Week has ignited widespread speculation that Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B is dating Nigerian international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.

The rumours stem from a viral TikTok video filmed at the Robert Wun Haute Couture autumn/winter show. Footage captures the 26-year-old footballer politely helping the musician into her front-row seat before the runway presentation. Despite the brief nature of the encounter, fans immediately seized on the pair’s apparent chemistry and Okoye’s gentlemanly gesture.

Cardi B had already commanded attention at the Paris event before the seating arrangement went viral. The Bronx native turned heads in a dramatic...

The Ministry of Justice has established the operational and registration procedures for the Besqala Mining Valley, a dedicated cryptocurrency mining hub in the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan.

Under the newly approved framework, resident status is exclusively available to legal entities registered and operating within the region. The Besqala Mining Valley Directorate will process applications free of charge and must issue a decision within 30 days of submission.

While the directorate manages the zone and accepts initial applications, the National Agency of Perspective Projects retains the authority to issue the final mining permits.

Authorised residents are permitted to draw power...

Pato O’Ward has requested that McLaren relieve him of all Formula 1 reserve driver commitments to focus entirely on his IndyCar career.

The Mexican driver recently confirmed his place in McLaren’s 2027 IndyCar lineup alongside Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist. Following the announcement, O’Ward stated he has no further ambition to pursue a full-time seat in F1.

Speaking on the Speed Street podcast, O’Ward expressed gratitude for his time in the F1 paddock but admitted his professional priorities have shifted.

“I’m in a different point in my life now and I don’t really care anymore...

President Donald Trump unexpectedly departed the NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday aboard an older Air Force One aircraft rather than the newly renovated Qatari-donated jet that brought him to the region. He later boarded the newer plane at a British military base for his return flight to Washington.

The sudden aircraft switch occurred as hostilities escalated with neighbouring Iran. When asked if an assassination threat prompted the change, Trump acknowledged the regional danger without directly confirming the motive.

“I’m number one on the kill list for Iran,” Trump told reporters as the summit concluded. “I...

The Asian Development Bank has maintained its 2026 economic growth forecast for Uzbekistan at 6.7% despite downgrading expectations for the wider region. The July Asian Development Outlook report also held the nation’s 2027 gross domestic product projection steady at 6.8%.

Inflation projections for the country remain unchanged at 6.5% for 2026 and 5.0% for 2027. This stability contrasts with the broader Caucasus and Central and West Asia territory, which saw its 2026 growth outlook lowered to 3.8% and its inflation forecast surge to 22.0%. Across the wider developing Asia and the Pacific region, the bank lowered the overall...

Passengers arriving in Uzbekistan can now clear their imported mobile devices through customs directly at the airport using a newly launched online portal.

The Customs Committee announced the system allows travellers to bypass queues and complete the mandatory declaration by scanning a QR code in the arrivals hall. After individuals enter their passport details, the software automatically retrieves their personal information. Scanning or manually typing the device’s IMEI code prompts the service to identify the phone’s make, model and manufacturing year.

Submitting the form immediately forwards this data to the national UzIMEI registry. Travellers facing import duties can settle...