News

A senior Iranian military official has warned that U.S. troops and assets would be targeted if conflict breaks out between Washington and Tehran, amid rising tensions between the two countries.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, said American personnel and equipment in the region would be within range of Iranian strikes in the event of war.

«In the event of any conflict, American forces and their equipment will be destroyed,» he said, adding that U.S. interests across the region would also be targeted.

The remarks came in response to recent statements...

Chelsea recorded a £355 mln loss during the 2024–25 season, the largest deficit ever reported by an English football club, according to newly released Uefa financial data.

The figure is more than double the next biggest loss in Europe, with French side Lyon reporting a £171 mln deficit. It also represents a sharp increase from Chelsea’s losses the previous season.

Uefa’s report suggests the club’s spending has outpaced revenue growth. Chelsea’s wage bill is estimated to be the sixth-highest in Europe at around £390 mln per year, while operational costs rank among the continent’s highest. The governing body...

Islamic fintech and investment manager Wahed has launched a new range of UCITS equity ETFs in Europe that combine traditional Shariah screening with an added ethical review focused on human rights and social impact.

The funds, domiciled in Ireland and approved by the Central Bank of Ireland, are designed to align with Islamic investment principles while introducing a broader values-based assessment. In addition to excluding sectors such as alcohol, gambling and conventional banking, the ETFs apply a discretionary framework evaluating companies on issues including human harm, responsibility and responsiveness to ethical concerns.

Wahed said the approach reflects core Islamic values...

The global cosmetics market is expected to reach around $704 bn by 2032, driven by demand for premium skincare, AI-powered beauty solutions and sustainable products, according to a new analysis by Maximize Market Research.

The report estimates the market was worth $492.18 bn in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual rate of about 5.25% through 2032. Rising beauty awareness, digital transformation and demand for natural and inclusive products are among the key drivers shaping growth.

Skincare remains the dominant category, accounting for nearly half of total revenues in 2025. Strong demand for anti-aging treatments, dermatologist-backed formulations...

The global metal fabrication market is expected to grow steadily through the end of the decade, reaching an estimated $32.47 bn by 2032, according to a new report from Maximize Market Research.

The sector was valued at $22.48 bn in 2024 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 4.7% between 2025 and 2032. Analysts attribute the growth to rising demand for advanced manufacturing technologies, including CNC machining, robotic welding and laser cutting.

The report highlights strong momentum from industries such as electric vehicles, renewable energy and construction. Increasing use of lightweight components in...

Epic Games continues expanding Fortnite’s battle royale universe with characters from other franchises, this time partnering with HoYoverse for a crossover with Honkai: Star Rail.

The collaboration was teased earlier through a mysterious social media post from the developers showing swords embedded in the ground. Attentive fans quickly identified them as the weapons of the Stellaron Hunters. The crossover was later confirmed during a livestream dedicated to the upcoming 4.0 update for Honkai: Star Rail.

Two of the group’s most recognisable characters, the lightning-wielding Kafka and the wind-based fighter Blade, are now available in Fortnite’s in-game shop. Their skins...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending financial support to Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical sector with a loan of up to €20 mln for its long-term partner Samarkand England Eco-Medical (SEEM) and its affiliated company Bayan Medical.

The financing will help the companies expand local production of intravenous solutions such as sodium chloride, glucose and amino acids, along with a range of generic and specialised medicines produced in tablet and capsule form.

Expanding production capacity

The funds will be used to purchase new production lines for SEEM, including facilities for in-glass intravenous solutions, antibiotics, syrups, suspensions, medical water...

The second season of the hit ice hockey drama Heated Rivalry has been officially confirmed, with its return scheduled for April 2027.

Series creator Jacob Tierney announced the news during an appearance on CBS Mornings on Thursday, revealing that the writers’ room is already working on the new instalment and that filming is expected to begin in August.

«There will be more ‘Heated Rivalry’ on your TVs, like, truly, as soon as humanly possible,» Tierney told host Gayle King.

The Canadian series, adapted from the popular novels by Rachel Reid, gained widespread attention online...

The Producers Guild of America revealed early winners at its West Coast celebration on Thursday.

Outstanding Sports Program went to «Formula 1: Drive to Survive,» while Outstanding Children’s Program was awarded to «Sesame Street.» Outstanding Short-Form Program went to «Adolescence: The Making of Adolescence.»

The PGA Innovation Award was presented to «The Wizard of Oz at Sphere» for achievements in VR and emerging media. Lydia Dean Pilcher received the Vance Van Petten Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for her work in sustainable film and television, and Jessica Li won the Debra Hill Fellowship for emerging producers.

The ceremony was hosted in...

On February 26 the London Stock Exchange hosted a Market Open Ceremony as part of the UK and Central Asian Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, bringing together senior officials from the United Kingdom and the five Central Asian republics at the heart of London’s financial centre.

The ceremony was one element of a wider programme of meetings in London, highlighting the shared commitment to deepening economic cooperation, fostering long-term sustainable growth, and enhancing ties between the UK and Central Asia. Ministers emphasised the importance of open and well-functioning capital markets in promoting investment, resilience, and international partnerships.

The event was led...

Bobby J. Brown, the actor best known for his role as Officer Bobby Brown on HBO’s drama «The Wire,» has died at 62 following a barn fire in Maryland.

The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to TMZ that Brown died from widespread thermal injuries and smoke inhalation, and ruled the death an accident.

Family members said Brown had entered the barn to jump-start a vehicle when a fire erupted. He called a relative for a fire extinguisher, but by the time help arrived, the barn was fully ablaze. Brown’s wife suffered severe burns while trying to...

Miami-based ticket broker TicketKings is aiming to profit from FIFA World Cup tickets by focusing on high-demand matches with strong resale potential, according to Reuters.

The firm’s strategy highlights marquee fixtures, including Portugal vs Uzbekistan on June 23 in Houston, projected to deliver an 87% return, Scotland vs Morocco on June 19 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and a likely Brazil vs England quarter-final.

«These featured matches exemplify the fund’s strategy: identifying high-demand fixtures with significant return potential, optimising for both acquisition cost and resale value,» the company said.

Investor appeal and risks

TicketKings, founded...

Newly unsealed court filings show that U.S. singer D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, is the focus of a grand jury investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered in his car in September 2025.

The documents were released after D4vd’s family were summoned by a California court to testify before the grand jury. D4vd’s father, Dawud Burke, challenged the summons in Texas, including portions of previously undisclosed material from the California case in his filings.

The court papers confirm that D4vd is a «target» of the investigation and could face proceedings for one...

Paramount Skydance has won the months-long battle to acquire Warner Bros Discovery after Netflix refused to raise its bid for the Hollywood studio.

“We’ve always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid,” Netflix said in a statement.

Earlier, Warner Bros confirmed that Paramount’s revised $31-per-share offer was superior to Netflix’s $27.75 per share bid for the company’s streaming and studio assets. A Netflix adviser said the streaming service had been advised...

Nintendo is preparing for a major unwinding of strategic cross-shareholdings that would see lenders including MUFG Bank and the Bank of Kyoto sell shares in the company, according to Reuters.

The disposal is expected to amount to about ¥300 bn, or roughly $1.9 bn, two of the sources said. A decision could come as early as Friday. The Kyoto-based maker of the «Super Mario» franchise is also planning a share buyback, the sources added. Reuters is reporting the plans for the first time.

Shares in Nintendo trimmed earlier gains and were last up 2.4%. Kyoto Financial Group, parent of...

Pakistan has launched a series of air strikes against the Afghan capital of Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar following a dramatic escalation in cross-border violence.

According to Al Jazeera, Pakistani warplanes conducted two bombing raids on Kabul starting at 1:50 am local time on Friday and also struck a military base in Kandahar province. The strikes have led Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to declare that the two nations are now in a state of “open war”.

The aerial bombardment follows a large-scale retaliatory offensive launched by Afghan Taliban forces on Thursday night. Reuters reported that...

Hillary Clinton delivered a combative opening statement during a congressional hearing tied to the Jeffrey Epstein probe, sharply criticising lawmakers and calling for greater scrutiny of other high-profile figures, including Elon Musk.

Testifying before the House Oversight Committee, the former U.S. secretary of state described the investigation as «partisan political theatre» and denied any connection to Epstein.

«I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein,» Clinton said, adding that she never visited his properties or travelled on his plane.

Clinton also accused lawmakers of misdirecting attention away from justice for victims, urging...

Hilary Knight, captain of the US women’s ice hockey team, has criticised comments made by Donald Trump following Team USA’s double gold at the Winter Olympics, calling the president’s quip a «distasteful joke».

After the U.S. men’s team won gold, Trump phoned into the locker-room celebrations and invited the players to attend the State of the Union address.

During the call, he joked about inviting the women’s team as well, saying: «I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team… I do believe I probably would be impeached [if...

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have completed a two-day humanitarian visit to Jordan, meeting refugees, healthcare workers and aid teams supporting people affected by the Gaza conflict.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled at the invitation of World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Their itinerary included a visit to the Za’atari refugee camp for Syrians, meetings with burns victims from Gaza, and discussions with UN agencies and donors in Amman. The couple also met World Central Kitchen teams coordinating food aid and spoke with frontline mental health workers.

Observers noted symbolic elements throughout the trip, including Meghan’s wardrobe...

The United Kingdom and the European Union have reached a draft agreement defining Gibraltar’s status after Brexit, preserving British sovereignty while easing cross-border movement with Spain.

The proposed treaty, unveiled jointly by London and Gibraltar’s government, introduces a «fluid border» that would remove routine passport checks at the land crossing with Spain. Around 15,000 people are estimated to cross the frontier daily, and the deal is expected to simplify travel and trade.

Under the plan, Gibraltar would remain under British sovereignty, with the treaty explicitly stating it does not affect competing claims over the territory. Key British military...

Uzbekistan’s total public debt increased by $6.6 bn in 2025, reaching $46.85 bn, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

As of January 1, 2026, the country’s external debt rose by $6.1 bn, totalling $39.8 bn, while the domestic debt grew by $542 mln, reaching $7 bn.

International financial institutions remain the largest creditors, holding roughly half of the debt portfolio. Key lenders include the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB). During the year, ADB’s share of lending rose to $8.3 bn, while the World Bank’s portion reached nearly $9 bn.

Foreign government institutions also...

Former Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner has said it was not his decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

At the end of 2024, it was announced that Sergio Perez would leave the Milton Keynes-based team and be succeeded by Lawson alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

Lawson competed in two race weekends before being moved to Racing Bulls, with Tsunoda promoted ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The decision surprised many as Lawson had limited time to prove himself at unfamiliar circuits.

Speaking...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has added three companies to the national register of microfinance organisations, the regulator’s press service reports.

The newly registered firms are Olmos Finance, Oson Moliya and Prime Sarmoya.

According to official business registry data, Olmos Finance was registered in autumn last year with authorised capital of 2.1 bn soums ($173,025). Oson Moliya was established at the end of 2025 with the same level of capital, while Prime Sarmoya was registered in the summer of that year.

In the first nine months of 2025, Uzbekistan’s microfinance market expanded to 104 trln soums ($8.57 bn...

Indonesia has deported Tommy Schaefer, who spent 11 years in prison for the high-profile «suitcase murder» of his girlfriend’s mother on Bali.

In 2014, Schaefer was on holiday in Bali with his girlfriend Heather Mack and her mother Sheila von Wiese-Mack. The pair conspired to kill von Wiese-Mack, reportedly to gain access to a $1.5 mln trust fund. Her body was later found stuffed in a suitcase.

Schaefer, 33, was released from a Bali prison on Tuesday after receiving remissions for good behaviour. He is due to face federal charges in the U.S. and will appear in court in...