News

Goldman Sachs raised its price projections for Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude in the fourth quarter of 2026, citing lower inventories in OECD countries, even as it continues to forecast a global oil surplus and assumes no major supply disruption linked to Iran.

The bank increased its fourth-quarter 2026 forecast by $6, putting Brent at $60 a barrel and WTI at $56. For the full year, it now expects Brent to average $64, up from $56, and WTI to average $60, compared with a previous estimate of $52.

Oil prices slipped about 1% on Monday as the United...

Shares in India’s IDFC First Bank plunged as much as 20% on Monday after the lender revealed suspected fraudulent transactions worth 5.9 bn rupees, or about $65 mln, heightening investor concerns over the hit to earnings.

By late morning in Mumbai, the stock was down 15.8% at 70.29 rupees, its lowest level since October 2025 and on track for its steepest single-day fall in six years. The bank led losses on the banking index even as India’s benchmark index edged 0.35% higher.

Fraud Linked to Government Accounts

The Mumbai-based mid-sized lender said the suspected fraud was confined to government-linked...

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that human rights are facing mounting pressure around the world, pointing to violations of international law and severe civilian suffering in conflicts including Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine.

Addressing the opening of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Guterres said the «rule of law is being outmuscled by the rule of force» and accused some actors of deliberately rolling back fundamental rights. He urged member states not to treat international human rights standards as optional commitments.

Guterres also defended the UN human rights system, describing it as operating in «survival mode». He cited funding...

Timothee Chalamet has largely kept details of Dune: Part Three under wraps ahead of its December release. However, during a town hall hosted by Variety and CNN at the University of Texas at Austin, the actor offered fresh insight into how he approached his evolving portrayal of Paul Atreides in Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi trilogy.

Speaking alongside Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet said the final chapters of the story draw inspiration from performances in large-scale films that managed to inject unexpected depth. He referenced McConaughey’s work in Interstellar, Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight and Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now, before quickly...

Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller “One Battle After Another” dominated the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, taking home six prizes including best film and best director.

The acclaimed drama swept the 79th annual ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Alongside the top awards, the film secured honours for adapted screenplay, cinematography, editing and a best supporting actor trophy for Sean Penn.

Ryan Coogler’s vampire feature “Sinners” followed closely with three wins for original screenplay, original score and best supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku. “Frankenstein” also collected three technical awards for production design, costume design and makeup and hair.

In...

Uzbekistan’s business confidence rose sharply in January 2026, reflecting stronger expectations among entrepreneurs, the Centre for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) reports. The composite business climate index reached 64 points, marking a 23% increase over the year.

The improvement was driven by better assessments of current conditions and growing optimism for the next three months. Around 22% of companies have already increased staff, while 71% expect higher demand in the coming quarter. Firms planning to expand their workforce rose to 65%.

Agriculture saw the strongest boost, with the index jumping to 77 from 48 a year earlier. Almost half...

North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party has reaffirmed Kim Jong Un as its general secretary, state media report. The announcement by the party congress on Sunday was widely expected, as the Kim family has ruled the country since the late 1940s.

KCNA stated that under Kim’s leadership, North Korea has «radically improved» its «war deterrence» with nuclear forces at its core. Despite international sanctions, the country continues to develop nuclear weapons and test intercontinental missiles, though the secretive regime makes independent assessment difficult.

Kim, who took control in 2011 after his father’s death, has heavily invested in the nuclear programme...

Central Asia’s population could grow to 96 mln by 2040, placing heavy pressure on infrastructure and natural resources, the head of the Eurasian Development Bank has warned.

Nikolai Podguzov, chairman of the bank’s management board, said in an interview that demographic growth would support economic expansion but would also demand urgent upgrades in energy efficiency, water management and transport connectivity.

«By 2040, according to our estimates, Central Asia’s population may reach 96 mln. This should serve as a driver for the economy. However, such numbers will also place enormous strain on infrastructure. For sustainable development...

One of Mexico’s most feared drug traffickers, Nemesio Oseguera, known as El Mencho, has died after being wounded during a military operation, as cartel retaliation plunged parts of the country into chaos.

The 60-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel died in custody following a special forces raid in Tapalpa, in the Pacific state of Jalisco. His body was flown to Mexico City under heavy National Guard escort.

The operation marked one of the most significant blows in recent years against criminal groups accused of smuggling billions of dollars’ worth of drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States.

Uzbekistan is set to welcome dancers and cultural figures from around the world as the Lazgi International Dance Festival returns to the ancient city of Khiva from April 25 to 30, 2026.

Held every two years, the festival celebrates the iconic Khorezm dance «Lazgi,» a UNESCO-recognised cultural treasure known for its expressive movements and deep historical roots. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Khorezm regional administration, the event aims to promote national heritage while fostering global artistic exchange.

The six-day programme will feature an international dance competition, concerts, exhibitions, masterclasses, and a scientific conference bringing together choreographers, scholars...

Global commodities firm Traxys has announced plans to invest up to $1 bn in Uzbekistan’s critical minerals sector, focusing on tungsten and molybdenum projects, following talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and U.S. business leaders in Washington.

The initiative includes cooperation with state-linked partners such as Navoiyuran and the Uzbekistan Plant of Technological Metals, as well as plans to open a Traxys representative office in Tashkent. The headline target is production of around 150 tons per year, though details on product types and processing routes have not been disclosed.

Industry observers note that Traxys operates primarily as a trading...

Uzbekistan is preparing an expanded delegation for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026 following talks in Moscow between Russian presidential adviser Anton Kobyakov and Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Russia, Botirzhon Asadov.

The meeting focused on Russian-Uzbek economic cooperation and plans for a larger Uzbek presence at the forum, including business and cultural programmes and potential investment agreements.

Kobyakov highlighted steady growth in bilateral ties and reiterated a joint goal to raise trade turnover to $30 bn by 2030 through deeper industrial cooperation and investment projects.

Asadov confirmed Uzbekistan’s intention to use SPIEF as a platform to strengthen...

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have pledged support for Gaza reconstruction initiatives, highlighting efforts by Central Asian states to deepen engagement with the United States, according to reporting by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

At the inaugural Board of Peace Summit on 19 February, Kazakhstan promised financial contributions to the World Bank’s Gaza Reconstruction and Development Fund and signalled readiness to deploy peacekeepers as part of a potential international stabilisation mission. The country also floated humanitarian measures including wheat supplies and scholarships for Palestinian students, though no detailed funding figures have been disclosed.

Uzbekistan reiterated earlier plans to develop an «Uzbekistan...

Uzbekistan continues to formalise its cryptocurrency ecosystem, tightening oversight of mining activities while maintaining a regulated environment for digital assets, according to international compliance data and national regulators.

A country guide by blockchain analytics firm Elliptic notes that cryptocurrencies are officially recognised in Uzbekistan but are not legal tender. Since 2023, residents have been required to conduct transactions through domestic licensed providers, reflecting a state-led approach to regulation.

At the same time, the National Agency of Perspective Projects (NAPP) has introduced detailed rules governing mining operations. Under the agency’s framework, mining is not a...

German drama Yellow Letters (Gelbe Briefe) by director İlker Catak has won the Golden Bear, the top prize at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.

The film follows a lecturer and screenwriter who falls out of favour after supporting students protesting against war in the Middle East, forcing him and his wife to navigate political pressure and personal sacrifice.

The Grand Jury Prize went to Turkish thriller Salvation by Emin Alper, while Sandra Huller won Best Actress for her role in Rose. British actors Anna Calder-Marshall and Tom Courtenay were recognised for supporting roles in Queen at Sea, and Grant...

The United States and Canada are set to face off in the men’s ice hockey final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, renewing one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries in a gold-medal showdown on 22 February.

The matchup marks the return of NHL players to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014, setting up a best-on-best clash featuring many of the game’s biggest stars.

A key storyline surrounds Canadian captain Sidney Crosby, whose availability remains uncertain after missing the semi-final due to injury. In his absence, Connor McDavid has stepped into a leadership role and enters...

Finland secured the men’s ice hockey bronze medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a commanding 6–1 victory over Slovakia on 21 February.

The Beijing 2022 champions rebounded from a semi-final loss to Canada with a dominant performance, breaking open a tight game with four unanswered goals in the third period.

Sebastian Aho opened the scoring in the first period before Erik Haula doubled Finland’s lead early in the second. Slovakia briefly closed the gap through Tomáš Tatar late in the period, but Finland quickly regained control in the final frame.

Roope Hintz and Kaapo Kakko

The penultimate day of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered nine medal events and several standout moments, headlined by Norwegian cross-country star Johannes Hosflot Klæbo making history.

Klæbo claimed his sixth gold medal of the Games in the men’s 50km mass start, becoming the first athlete in Winter Olympics history to win six golds at a single edition and raising his career total to 11.

In curling, Canada defeated Great Britain 9–6 to win the men’s title, while also securing bronze in the women’s event. Germany’s Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi successfully defended their two-woman bobsleigh crown...

Australia delivered its most successful Winter Olympics performance at Milano Cortina 2026, securing six medals, including a record three golds, in a landmark showing for the nation.

Freestyle skier Jakara Anthony made history by winning gold in the debut dual moguls event, becoming Australia’s most decorated Winter Olympian. Josie Baff added another title with victory in women’s snowboard cross, while Cooper Woods claimed gold in men’s moguls.

The medal haul also included strong podium finishes, with Scotty James taking silver in snowboard halfpipe, Danielle Scott earning silver in women’s aerials, and Matt Graham winning bronze in dual moguls.

The figure skating exhibition gala brought the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics to a festive close on 21 February, blending humour, artistry and emotional moments in a two-and-a-half-hour finale.

Italian legend Carolina Kostner opened the show on home ice, setting the tone for a night that featured 29 diverse performances — from dramatic solos and romantic duets to comedic routines and crowd-interactive numbers.

Highlights included Spain’s Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck turning the rink into a football pitch, while Estonia’s Niina Petrokina delivered a theatrical performance inspired by Cell Block Tango. France’s Adam Siao Him Fa impressed with a mid-skate...

Authorities in Uzbekistan have detained two regional officials in separate corruption cases involving alleged bribery and land allocation schemes, local media reported on Saturday.

In the Surkhandarya region, the deputy governor of Jarkurgan district is suspected of demanding 90 mln soums (about $7,400) to arrange a short-term lease of nine hectares of reserve land to a farmer. Investigators say he received part of the payment in January and was detained in the city of Termez while allegedly taking the remaining sum. A criminal case has been opened on bribery charges, and the suspect has been placed in custody.

Iran’s northern Mazandaran province has exported 4,500 handicraft items to Uzbekistan and Germany, a regional official said on Saturday.

Atefeh Shabani, deputy head of handicrafts at the provincial Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, said the shipment included wooden serving and kitchenware produced using traditional woodturning and fine woodcraft techniques, along with interior décor items.

The consignment was valued at around $250,000 and marked the first phase of a broader export programme aimed at expanding the province’s presence in international markets, Shabani said.

The goods were shipped via the Dogharoun customs office on Iran’s border with Afghanistan...

A 21-year-old man who declared himself president of a self-proclaimed country in the Balkans has opened an embassy, on his local high street in Kent.

Daniel Jackson says he founded the so-called Free Republic of Verdis after identifying a disputed pocket of land along the Danube River not formally claimed by Croatia or Serbia. He declared the micronation in 2019, building on an idea he first had at the age of 14.

Jackson has since opened two «representative offices», one in Dover and another in Novi Sad, Serbia, which he describes as embassies until the territory is officially...

Katie Price has denied she is pregnant after sparking speculation with a series of suggestive social media posts involving her new husband, Lee Andrews.

The 47-year-old TV personality raised eyebrows after writing on Instagram that she was «having his child» in a message directed at Andrews’ ex-partner. Around the same time, Andrews shared a post describing the pair as a «perfect couple, soon to be triple,» alongside a pregnant emoji, fuelling rumours online.

However, Price’s representative has shut down the claims, telling Yahoo UK that she is not expecting a baby despite the couple’s recent comments.

The rumours...