News

Hundreds of passengers were left stranded across Australia and New Zealand after widespread flight disruptions grounded travel plans on Sunday, with dozens of services cancelled and hundreds more delayed.

Airlines including Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia accounted for the majority of cancellations, though delays rippled across the broader aviation network.

Major hubs such as Sydney Airport, Melbourne Airport, Brisbane Airport, Auckland Airport and Wellington Airport were heavily affected.

Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport saw some of the worst disruption, with 84 flights delayed and several cancellations. Sydney, the country’s busiest airport, recorded the highest number of cancellations, alongside dozens of...

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in St Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian state media reported, as Tehran seeks to strengthen ties with Moscow during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.

According to Iran’s ambassador to Russia, the visit is intended to signal a united stance between the two countries in opposition to Western influence. The high-level meeting comes as diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations between Iran and the United States remain stalled.

Mediated talks involving Pakistan and Oman have yet to produce a breakthrough. US President Donald Trump recently cancelled a planned...

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is holding for now, but Hezbollah continues to pose a significant risk of renewed escalation as tensions persist across the region.

Despite a 10-day truce, intermittent exchanges along the border underline how quickly hostilities could resume. Hezbollah’s position in southern Lebanon, close to Israel’s northern frontier, gives it the ability to rapidly open a new front in the event of broader conflict.

The group’s influence extends beyond the battlefield. Deeply embedded in Lebanon’s political system, Hezbollah combines military strength with institutional power, allowing it to withstand pressure and maintain long-term strategic...

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is beginning to recover after days of disruption, with 19 vessels reported to have crossed the critical maritime route on Saturday.

Despite the uptick in movement, analysts say the increase has not yet led to a meaningful rise in oil and gas flows, highlighting continued caution among shipping operators navigating the region.

Tensions remain high as diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis show little progress. Iran has proposed easing its control over the strait, but the proposal does not address its nuclear programme, a key sticking point in negotiations.

U.S. President...

The Japanese gaming publication 4Gamer accidentally published an article detailing Valve’s updated Steam Controller ahead of its official announcement. As reported by DTF, the hastily deleted post indicated that the new gamepad is slated to hit the shelves on May 4, at least in the Japanese market.

Although the original material was quickly removed, the details had already spread across the internet. In the leaked piece, journalists compared the dimensions of the upcoming device with its major competitors, the PlayStation 5’s DualSense and the Xbox One controller.

This latest blunder is not the first indication that a release is...

The possibility of welcoming new member states into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is still very much on the table, TASS reports. According to Ahmad Saidmurodzoda, the SCO’s Deputy Secretary-General, the topic of enlargement continues to be an active part of the international bloc’s agenda.

Speaking to journalists, Saidmurodzoda emphasised that while further expansion is not ruled out, any future admissions will ultimately depend on a unanimous agreement among existing members. He highlighted that the organisation’s charter is built upon a principle of openness, allowing any state or multilateral group that shares the SCO’s core values to join the...

A new platform for educational and cultural exchange centred on the Korean language and the “Korean Wave” has launched in the heart of Central Asia.

The Korea International Development Cooperation Center (KIDC) announced on Monday that it hosted an opening ceremony for the new K-Culture & Education Complex Centre on 21 April. The modernised facility is located within the Faculty of Oriental Languages at the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages in Tashkent.

Orchestrated by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in partnership with KIDC and Pyeongtaek University, the global programme dispatches young South Korean volunteers to nurture international...

The high-profile corruption trial surrounding Gulnara Karimova, the eldest daughter of Uzbekistan’s late President Islam Karimov, has opened at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, Switzerland.

This case, which has been unfolding for nearly two decades, examines allegations that Karimova orchestrated a sprawling criminal syndicate known internally as “The Office”. Swiss prosecutors accuse her of using this vast network to extract hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes from international telecommunications companies seeking lucrative access to the Uzbek market.

The indictment includes charges of corruption, money laundering and leading a criminal organisation. The probe has also ensnared the Swiss...

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has officially authorised the airline Air Premia to begin operating flights to Tashkent.

As reported by the Yonhap news agency, the carrier is expected to run four weekly services connecting South Korea with the capital of Uzbekistan.

The route expansion does not stop there for Air Premia. The airline has also secured the necessary permissions to launch a new service to Kathmandu in Nepal. Furthermore, the government department issued additional international route approvals to other domestic operators, granting Eastar Airlines clearance to fly to Indonesia and giving Korean Air the green...

K-pop sensation NewJeans are officially preparing to return to the music scene. The group’s management agency ADOR confirmed on Monday that the girls are gearing up to resume their musical activities following recent sightings of the members in Copenhagen.

Addressing the online chatter, ADOR released a statement clarifying the group’s current status.

“The members are preparing for new activities in line with their individual conditions and schedule,” the company announced.

They also confirmed that the trip to the Danish capital is “part of pre-production in its new musical journey.”

While fans are eager for...

Chelsea have cast their recent domestic woes aside to secure a spot in next month’s FA Cup final following a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Wembley on Sunday, Reuters reports.

The decisive moment arrived in the 23rd minute when controversial Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez found space between defenders to head in a pinpoint cross from Portuguese winger Pedro Neto.

Putting turmoil behind them

The match-winner’s crucial contribution comes just weeks after he was suspended by the club’s hierarchy and former manager Liam Rosenior. Fernandez had sparked frustration with a recent press interview in which he hinted at...

The King of Pop has reclaimed his throne at the local cinema. “Michael”, the highly anticipated biopic from Lionsgate chronicling the life of Michael Jackson, has taken the global box office by storm, Variety reports.

The film secured $97 mln in North America and $217 mln worldwide during its opening weekend. This marks the most successful debut for a biopic in cinematic history, easily eclipsing the previous record held by 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton” ($60 mln) and dwarfing the $51 mln opening of 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Defying the critics

Only a month prior, industry tracking suggested “Michael” would...

Uzbekistan’s total investments in the country reached $13.7 bn in Q1 2026, according to a CERR report. This figure represents a 1.6-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

During this reporting period, foreign investments and international loans generated $9.7 bn in fixed capital, which marks a 147.5% year-on-year growth.

The influx of capital has directly translated into substantial economic activity and new opportunities. By the beginning of April, the republic had launched over 1,500 investment projects valued at $1.2 bn.

These initiatives have successfully provided employment for approximately 28,000 Uzbek citizens. Key developments include the initial phase of...

Despite a gunman breaching the security perimeter and firing shots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in the nation’s capital, President Donald Trump claims he felt entirely unthreatened in an interview with CBS.

Following the chaotic evacuation of the president, the first lady and over 2,500 attendees, Trump reflected on the terrifying moments as security swarmed the ballroom.

“I wasn’t worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world,” Trump stated bluntly during a CBS News interview when asked if he feared there would be mass injuries.

The disruption unfolded at the...

Shots were fired during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Sunday evening, prompting the evacuation of U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance from the venue.

The incident took place at the Washington Hilton, where the high-profile gathering of journalists, officials and celebrities was underway. According to early reports, security personnel swiftly removed the president and other senior officials after gunshots were heard inside the building.

Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen from California. Law enforcement officials said he was apprehended quickly and «didn’t get very far» after opening fire. No injuries...

In March 2026 the annual inflation rate in Uzbekistan dropped to a record low of 7.1% while the monthly figure stood at a modest 0.6% according to a recent report published by the Centre for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR).

The primary objective for state authorities this year is to cap overall inflation at a maximum of 6.5% and prevent sudden spikes in the cost of basic groceries. Stabilising the domestic meat market remains a major priority. To achieve this the government is introducing generous incentives for businesses including a $0.80 compensation payment for every kilogram of meat imported via...

Austrian financial group Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is exploring the possibility of entering the financial market in Uzbekistan. According to the press service of the Tashkent Republican Stock Exchange the European banking giant is planning to operate within the country as a custodial bank.

The primary role of a custodial institution is to ensure the safekeeping and management of securities alongside other financial assets belonging to clients. Representatives from the international organisation have already held preliminary discussions with the leadership of the Tashkent trading platform. Under the proposed plans RBI intends to conduct its stock exchange operations through local...

Commercial banks across Uzbekistan are set to allocate 140 trln soums ($11.6 bn) to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout 2026. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the major financial commitment during a recent government session dedicated to regional economic development.

Bridging the efficiency gap

During the meeting the head of state highlighted a stark contrast in how effectively commercial loans are being utilised across different parts of the country. Recent data indicates that job creation metrics vary wildly depending on local project management and strategic selection.

For every 1 bn soums ($83,195) issued to small businesses, the...

Uzbekistan’s state budget has demonstrated robust growth at the start of 2026. According to a first-quarter report published by the Centre for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR), budget revenues reached 103 trln soum ($8.57 bn) by early April, representing a massive 35% increase compared to the same period last year.

Tax collection remains the cornerstone of the nation’s financial stability. During the first quarter tax revenues injected 63.6 trln soum ($5.29 bn) into the state coffers, marking a 24% jump year-on-year. A strengthening foreign trade sector also positively influenced the national statistics as customs duties rose to 19.4 trln soum...

Following concerns raised by local residents on social media regarding oily films and discoloured water, authorities in Uzbekistan have confirmed an oil spill in the Surkhandarya region.

The incident occurred after severe and prolonged rainfall on April 23 triggered heavy flooding in the Boysun district. The deluge caused water levels in the Khangaronsoy stream to rise dramatically, ultimately overwhelming temporary earthen dams designed to hold crude oil.

The Ministry of Water Resources explained that the containment facilities were constructed earlier this year by the ERIELL Group. They were built on the left bank of the stream to safely...

Scottish actor Mark Bonnar has revealed he would love to step back into the boots of Blackbeard for a future Assassin’s Creed film or television adaptation, BBC reports. The Hertfordshire-based star originally brought the infamous pirate to life through motion capture in the critically acclaimed 2013 video game Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

The comments follow a recent announcement from developer Ubisoft confirming that a ground-up remake of the pirate classic is set to launch in July. Meanwhile Netflix is currently in the process of shooting a live-action Assassin’s Creed series in Italy. The streaming giant is hoping...

South Korean prosecutors have formally declined a police request for an arrest warrant targeting Bang Si-hyuk, the founder and chairman of K-pop entertainment giant Hybe, Yonhap reports.

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office returned the application to the police earlier this week. Authorities had sought to detain Bang on charges of fraudulent trading practices under the Capital Markets Act but prosecutors concluded that the current evidence was insufficient to justify his immediate detention.

The high-profile investigation centres on allegations that the music executive intentionally deceived investors back in 2019. Police suspect that he pressured early shareholders into offloading their...

Thirty-one sloths intended to be the star attractions at a new “slotharium” in Florida have died before the venue could even open its doors to the public, BBC reports.

The animals were destined for Sloth World, a permanent exhibit in Orlando that was scheduled to launch this spring. However, a recent report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) revealed that many of the mammals perished due to inadequate conditions at a holding warehouse while others arrived in the state severely ill or already dead.

Ben Agresta, the owner of Sloth World, has firmly pushed back against...

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi travelled to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Friday to explore proposals for resuming peace negotiations with the United States, Reuters reports. The diplomatic push offers a glimmer of hope for resolving an eight-week conflict that has resulted in thousands of casualties and triggered massive disruptions across global energy markets.

While U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that Tehran plans to present an offer to satisfy American demands, the exact details of the proposal remain unknown. Trump refrained from naming his negotiating counterparts but confirmed his administration is dealing directly with the current...