News

Violence has erupted at a hospital at the epicentre of the latest Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, AP News reports. An angry crowd set fire to a section of Rwampara General Hospital in Ituri province after authorities prevented the family and friends of a suspected Ebola victim from taking his body home for burial.

Police were forced to fire warning shots to disperse the rioters as the situation spiralled out of control. Medical staff were quickly placed under military protection to restore order but not before a healthcare worker was injured by stone-throwing protesters.

According...

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed his 26-man England squad for this summer’s World Cup across Canada, Mexico and the United States. In a selection that has stunned fans and pundits alike, the German manager has issued a shock recall to Ivan Toney while firmly shutting the door on established names such as Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.

Charged with leading the Three Lions to global glory, Tuchel contacted players throughout the week before officially confirming his travelling party on Friday morning. Going against the public mood, he has shown a ruthless streak that prioritises tactical trust over past...

Tencent has expanded its cross-border payment network in Central Asia through a new partnership with Kyrgyzstan’s Eldik Bank, enabling users of Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay) to make payments across the country.

Under the agreement, international visitors and business travelers using Weixin Pay will be able to pay at merchants connected to Eldik Bank’s payment infrastructure, supporting transactions in retail stores, restaurants, hotels and other businesses. The initiative is designed to simplify payments for tourists and strengthen financial connectivity between China and Central Asia.

The partnership marks another step in Tencent’s regional expansion strategy as digital payment platforms gain...

Hong Kong is seeking to strengthen economic ties with Central Asia, with officials highlighting Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan as key partners for future trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation.

Speaking on RTHK’s BackChat programme, Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Belt and Road, Nicholas Ho, said the region offers significant opportunities in mining, natural resources, artificial intelligence and infrastructure development. He noted that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan together account for around 80% of Central Asia’s GDP and are becoming increasingly important economic partners.

The comments come ahead of a major trade mission led by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, who is expected...

Uzbekistan’s microfinance sector is set to face stricter regulatory oversight as authorities move to strengthen consumer protection and improve the stability of the rapidly growing financial industry.

According to Trend, new measures will introduce tighter supervision of microfinance organizations, enhanced reporting requirements and stronger standards for lending practices. The reforms are aimed at reducing risks for borrowers while increasing transparency across the sector.

Officials say the updated framework will help ensure responsible lending, improve the quality of financial services and support sustainable growth in the non-bank financial market. The initiative forms part of Uzbekistan’s broader financial sector modernization...

Uzbekistan cemented its membership in the New Development Bank (NDB). President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree ratifying the treaty for the nation to join the financial organisation established by the BRICS states.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis initially green-lit the accession document on April 21 of this year. Following this step the upper house of parliament gave its official approval in mid-May. The groundwork for this move was laid last year when the leadership of the NDB formally approved Tashkent’s application in mid-June.

A growing financial alliance

The formal announcement of Uzbekistan’s integration into the...

Uzbekistan’s credit reporting reforms have helped more than 678,000 borrowers improve their credit profiles, making it easier for individuals and businesses to access financing, according to government officials.

The reforms, aimed at modernising the country’s credit information system, enabled thousands of borrowers to move into lower-risk categories after inaccuracies were corrected and credit assessment procedures were updated. The initiative is part of broader efforts to improve financial transparency and expand lending opportunities.

Officials say the updated system provides banks and financial institutions with more reliable borrower data, helping to reduce lending risks while improving access to credit for...

Uzbekistan’s industrial sector continued to expand in early 2026, reflecting steady economic growth and rising business activity across the country.

According to data from the National Statistics Committee, the number of industrial enterprises operating in Uzbekistan increased compared with the same period last year. Small businesses and private enterprises remained the main drivers of growth, accounting for a significant share of industrial production.

Officials said the increase was supported by ongoing economic reforms, investment projects and efforts to modernize manufacturing industries. Growth was recorded across several sectors, including food processing, construction materials, textiles and machinery production.

Analysts note...

Two highly exclusive Birkin handbags seized from the imprisoned Vietnamese property magnate Truong My Lan have been sold by the government for an impressive combined total exceeding $535,000, BBC reports.

The auction took place at the Ho Chi Minh City Asset Auction Service Centre on Monday and formed part of a wider government initiative to sell off 1,200 confiscated assets. Bidding for the luxury accessories was incredibly fast-paced and concluded in just 30 minutes. Earlier in January authorities from the local Civil Judgment Enforcement Agency had called in specialists to accurately value the two crocodile skin Hermès Birkin bags...

After an impressive 33 years on television, The Late Show has officially drawn its final curtain. Stephen Colbert hosted the ultimate broadcast on Thursday evening, signing off alongside special guest Sir Paul McCartney in an emotional and music-filled finale, BBC reports.

Broadcasting from New York’s legendary Ed Sullivan Theater, Colbert and the former Beatle shared fond memories of the venue’s rich history and the iconic British band’s early tours across America. The evening culminated in a poignant duet of Hello, Goodbye, providing a fitting soundtrack as the dedicated cast and crew gathered on stage for a final bow.

The...

Detectives leading the investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses, BBC reports. Thames Valley Police have expressed concern that the public might mistakenly believe their inquiries are strictly limited to allegations that the former Prince Andrew shared a confidential trade document with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Authorities are eager to clarify that misconduct in public office is a highly complex and broad offence. Investigators want to ensure potential witnesses understand the probe is exploring crimes that may have directly affected individuals rather than just focusing...

Kyle Busch, a generational driving talent who cemented himself as one of NASCAR’s all-time greats, died on Thursday at the age of 41.

The tragic news was announced jointly by the Busch family, NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the global racing community, coming shortly after his team revealed he had been hospitalised earlier in the day with a severe illness.

In a unified statement, his family and teams expressed their profound heartbreak, describing him as a fierce competitor, a passionate advocate for the sport and a rare, once-in-a-generation talent. They paid tribute to...

Las Vegas has just become the ultimate destination for the global BTS fanbase. As an official partner of Hybe’s sprawling “The City” project, an immersive fan programme that links concerts, activations and exclusive events across host cities, the Arte Museum in Las Vegas has proudly opened its doors to “BTS The City Arirang”.

Operated by the acclaimed digital design company D’strict, the immersive exhibition launched on Wednesday. The opening was perfectly timed to build momentum ahead of the K-pop sensation’s highly anticipated weekend concert in the city.

Translating sound into spectacle

The entire digital showcase is heavily centred...

The wait is finally over for Norwegian football fans. For the first time since 1998, Norway will compete at the FIFA World Cup. The national team has officially announced its squad for the highly anticipated 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Spearheading the Norwegian attack will be Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, who notably shares a dressing room at club level with Abdukodir Khusanov. Haaland will be eager to make his mark at his premier World Cup tournament. He will be joined in the final third by Atletico Madrid’s formidable striker Alexander...

BP has expanded its presence in Indonesia’s energy sector after signing agreements for three new oil and gas exploration blocks, strengthening its long-term investment plans in Southeast Asia.

The British energy giant secured production sharing contracts for the Bintuni and Drawa exploration blocks in West Papua, near its existing Tangguh LNG operations, and confirmed a stake in the Barong block in East Java. The agreements increase BP’s portfolio in Indonesia to 11 oil and gas blocks.

BP said the new projects could support future energy development by leveraging existing infrastructure around the Tangguh LNG complex if exploration activities...

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly considering a renewed public presence in the United Kingdom as they seek to rebuild connections after several challenging years following their departure from royal duties.

According to British media reports, the couple is exploring ways to strengthen ties with UK audiences and charitable organizations while continuing to balance their lives between the United States and international projects. The reported «fresh start» comes as both Harry and Meghan focus on new professional ventures and public engagements.

Meanwhile, Meghan’s recent solo speech in Geneva generated mixed reactions online. Supporters praised her advocacy and...

British television personality Katie Price has reportedly stepped back from efforts to search for her missing husband amid growing concerns over his disappearance.

According to UK media reports, Price had been actively involved in attempts to locate her husband after he was reported missing, but has now decided to reduce her direct involvement while authorities and specialist teams continue the search. Family members have urged the public to respect their privacy during the ongoing investigation.

The circumstances surrounding the disappearance have not been fully disclosed, and police have not announced any major breakthroughs. Search operations remain ongoing as...

Actor John Travolta has sparked widespread discussion online after appearing with a noticeably refreshed look in recent public photos, fueling renewed speculation about possible cosmetic procedures.

According to media reports, fans and entertainment commentators have pointed to changes in the actor’s facial appearance, comparing recent images with older photographs. Some observers suggested the new look could be the result of cosmetic treatments, while others attributed it to weight loss, improved skincare or natural aging.

Neither Travolta nor his representatives have commented on the speculation. Experts quoted in entertainment media noted that it is impossible to determine whether someone...

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has strongly rejected claims by UFC president Dana White regarding money and negotiations surrounding a potential return to competition.

Speaking in a recent interview, Nurmagomedov described White’s comments as «an absolute lie,» insisting that financial considerations were never the reason behind his decision to remain retired from mixed martial arts.

The disagreement stems from White’s suggestion that a lucrative offer could have persuaded the undefeated Russian fighter to return to the UFC. Khabib, however, reiterated that he retired after fulfilling a promise to his mother following the death of his father and...

A reported U.S.-Israeli plan to install former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a new leader in Tehran has reportedly collapsed, according to media reports citing unnamed sources familiar with discussions that followed the 2026 Iran conflict.

The proposal allegedly emerged after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader during the U.S.-Israeli military campaign earlier this year. Reports claimed Ahmadinejad, once a hardline president but later a critic of parts of Iran’s ruling establishment, was viewed by some planners as a possible transitional figure.

However, the plan reportedly unraveled after an operation intended to free Ahmadinejad from house arrest failed...

Iran has warned that any renewed military action against the country could trigger a broader regional conflict as negotiations over the future of the Strait of Hormuz remain deadlocked.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that if attacks on Iran resume, the «promised regional war» would extend beyond the Middle East, underscoring growing tensions despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The warning comes as talks involving Iran, the United States and regional mediators have stalled over key issues, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Tehran is seeking an initial agreement focused...

The United Kingdom’s latest Eurovision disappointment has reignited debate over why the country continues to struggle at the contest, despite sending increasingly diverse performers and staging ambitious performances.

The UK finished last at Eurovision 2026 with just one jury point and no points from the public vote for «Eins, Zwei, Drei» by inventor and musician Sam Battle, known as Look Mum No Computer. The result came despite praise from some fans for the act’s originality and energy.

Commentators and Eurovision observers argue the problem goes beyond individual performers. Critics point to inconsistent song selection strategies, weak public support...

A sensational scandal accusing South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron during her teenage years was built entirely on forged digital evidence.

According to internal police documents reviewed by local media on Thursday, authorities have uncovered a calculated smear campaign driven by a desire for online clout and financial gain.

The JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported that the Seoul Gangnam Police Station has concluded its investigation into Kim Se-ui, the figurehead behind the gossip YouTube channel HoverLab (also recognised as Garo Sero Institute). Detectives allege that the content creator knowingly broadcast malicious lies about the...

India’s political landscape has acquired a bizarre new emblem. Forget the traditional lotus of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Congress party’s hand; the cockroach has emerged as an unlikely symbol of resistance for young, digitally native Indians, BBC reports.

The insect’s rise to prominence began last week following controversial remarks by Chief Justice Surya Kant. During a court hearing, he reportedly likened jobless young people gravitating towards activism and journalism to parasites and cockroaches.

Although he later clarified his critique was aimed solely at those wielding “fake and bogus degrees”, the damage was done. The internet...