News

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...

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann revealed his 26-man squad for the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup. The announcement was broadcast live on YouTube to thousands of eager supporters, showcasing a calculated blend of seasoned veterans and exciting young prospects set to represent the nation in North America.

Speaking on stage during the live presentation, Nagelsmann detailed his strategic choices for the national team under the banner “Es ist WM, wenn der Kader steht” (It’s the World Cup when the squad is set). The roster was uniquely presented in three distinct categories: goalkeepers, defensive players and offensive players.

Goalkeepers

The...

Mohanlal and director Jeethu Joseph have finally reunited for “Drishyam 3”, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated Malayalam films in recent memory.

The thriller debuted in packed cinemas across multiple regions as eager fans scrambled to secure tickets for the very first screenings. Shortly after the first half concluded, social media platform X was flooded with enthusiastic reactions from cinema-goers.

An explosive interval

While the opening portions of the film are deliberately paced to build tension, viewers were quick to highlight the interval sequence as a major cinematic triumph. Fans took to social media to praise the...

Vanessa Trump, the former model and ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr, has publicly disclosed that she is battling breast cancer.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday to share the unexpected health update, the 48-year-old confirmed she is already working diligently with medical professionals to navigate her treatment. The announcement also revealed that she underwent a medical procedure earlier this week to address the illness.

In her candid social media post, she requested privacy to allow her to concentrate entirely on her physical health and recovery journey. Despite the daunting diagnosis, she maintained a resilient tone, noting that she remains highly...

Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov concluded his latest match at the ongoing chess tournament in Romania with a hard-fought draw against the formidable American player Fabiano Caruana.

This follows another stalemate for the Uzbekistan representative against France’s Alireza Firouzja. In a highly unusual turn of events, that particular game had to be played inside a hotel room because the French grandmaster had suffered an ankle injury.

As of May 21, Sindarov occupies the eighth position in the overall tournament standings. Germany’s Vincent Keymer currently leads the pack. He is closely followed by Jorden van Foreest of the Netherlands in second...

Caviar, the bespoke customisation house renowned for transforming mainstream tech into extravagant status symbols, has officially opened its order books for the unreleased iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

Their latest ultra-premium offering is the “Royal Colours” collection. This lineup features four distinct aesthetics heavily influenced by the visual hallmarks of history’s most powerful rulers, blending modern engineering with the luxurious materials once reserved for emperors and kings.

The central concept driving this new range is the historical use of colour and rare materials to project absolute authority. Caviar’s design team raided the visual archives of antiquity, drawing inspiration from...

Elon Musk’s aerospace behemoth SpaceX has formally declared its intention to float on the U.S. stock market, opening the door for public investors to buy shares in the closely guarded company, BBC reports.

The initial public offering is anticipated to launch next month under the ticker symbol SPCX. Financial analysts suggest it could become the largest stock market debut in Wall Street history.

SpaceX is widely known for manufacturing advanced rockets and operating the Starlink satellite internet network. However, the corporate umbrella now also encompasses X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) and Musk’s controversial artificial intelligence...

Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil its first foldable iPhone this September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, the smartphone is not the only flexible device the tech giant has in the pipeline. The company is also actively developing a foldable iPad, though recent rumours suggest the project is suffering from severe delays.

Shared technology and a seamless screen

According to industry experts, the forthcoming foldable iPad will likely utilise hardware designed for the rumoured iPhone Fold. Most notably, the tablet is expected to feature the same advanced hinge mechanism to ensure a...

South Korean music phenomenon BTS will bring their current “Arirang” world tour to the big screen next month, broadcasting their upcoming Busan concert live in cinemas across the globe, according to an announcement from their agency on Thursday.

BigHit Music confirmed that the second performance of the two-night stint, set for June 12 and 13, will be streamed directly from the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. The venue is situated roughly 330 kilometres southeast of the capital city, Seoul.

This expansive live viewing event is slated to hit more than 3,800 cinema screens spanning over 80 countries and regions. The initiative...

Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro says his team has «nothing to lose» ahead of the country’s historic debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In an interview with Euronews, the former Italy captain and 2006 World Cup winner said Uzbekistan is ready to compete against football’s biggest nations despite facing a difficult group featuring Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo.

Cannavaro praised the ambition and determination of his players, saying the squad is focused on learning, improving and enjoying the tournament experience. He added that the unpredictability of the World Cup means any team can challenge stronger...

A new commentary published by The Diplomat has raised concerns about the gap between the Asian Development Bank’s public commitment to protecting civil society and the realities faced by activists and human rights defenders in Uzbekistan.

The article argues that despite the Asian Development Bank’s stated «zero tolerance» policy on reprisals, many activists in Uzbekistan continue to fear speaking openly about social, environmental and development-related issues linked to major international projects.

The discussion gained attention following the ADB’s 59th annual meeting in Samarkand, where officials highlighted regional cooperation and economic reforms. Critics, however, say that formal...

Uzbekistan’s landmark international IPO has grown even larger after the full exercise of the over-allotment, or «greenshoe,» option tied to the National Investment Fund’s dual listing in London and Tashkent.

According to Investing.com, Jefferies International fully exercised the option for more than 3.5 mln additional Global Depositary Receipts at $25 each, adding approximately $87.9 mln to the transaction. The move increases the total value of the offering to nearly $692 mln.

The successful exercise of the greenshoe option is viewed as another strong sign of investor confidence in Uzbekistan’s economic reforms and future growth potential. Demand...

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its support for the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, praising the country’s progress in security cooperation, economic governance and human rights reforms.

Speaking at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, UK Ambassador Neil Holland highlighted Uzbekistan’s work on border management, cybercrime prevention, anti-corruption measures and inclusive economic growth. He also welcomed initiatives related to media literacy, youth participation and women’s economic empowerment.

In the human rights sphere, the UK positively assessed reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law, preventing torture and improving judicial systems, including programs focused on gender-responsive and child-friendly justice.

Uzbekistan has certified its first private aircraft component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider, marking another step in the rapid expansion of the country’s aviation sector.

The Civil Aviation Agency of Uzbekistan granted certification to Centrum Best MRO, a joint venture between private airline group My Freighter and Ukraine’s Best MRO Group. The company is now authorized to independently maintain and repair aircraft wheels, brakes and battery systems for Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

The new facility will initially service aircraft operated by My Freighter and its passenger subsidiary Centrum Air, whose combined fleet includes Airbus A320 family aircraft...

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Uzbekistan’s «El-Yurt Umidi» Foundation have signed a strategic agreement aimed at expanding educational cooperation and preparing a new generation of Uzbek specialists in technology, engineering and public administration.

Under the memorandum, high-achieving Uzbek students will receive scholarships to study at HKUST in fields including artificial intelligence, engineering, business, social sciences and interdisciplinary programs. The partnership also includes executive education and professional training programs for Uzbek civil servants and professionals.

Officials say the agreement reflects Uzbekistan’s long-term strategy to build a knowledge-based economy and invest in internationally educated talent...

Central Asia has become the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem region, according to a new international report highlighting rapid growth in innovation and venture activity across the region.

The Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 by StartupBlink found that Central Asia’s startup environment expanded by 81% over the past year, with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan emerging as the main drivers of growth. Uzbekistan was also named «Startup Country of the Year 2026.»

Uzbekistan climbed 19 positions in the global rankings to 79th place after recording 227% ecosystem growth — the largest single-year improvement among all countries surveyed. Tashkent also surged...

Uzbekistan has completed its first-ever dual IPO in London and Tashkent, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to open its capital markets to international investors.

The National Investment Fund of Uzbekistan (UzNIF) raised $603.6 mln through the sale of a 31% stake, valuing the fund at approximately $1.95 bn. Investor demand exceeded $2.8 bn, highlighting strong global interest in Uzbekistan’s reform agenda.

Trading began simultaneously on the London Stock Exchange and the Tashkent Stock Exchange, making it Uzbekistan’s first international equity offering. The fund is managed by Franklin Templeton and includes stakes in...

Uzbekistan’s successful first-ever IPO on the London Stock Exchange is expected to become a turning point for the country’s financial future, encouraging more Uzbek companies to seek international listings and global investors.

The National Investment Fund of Uzbekistan (UzNIF) raised more than $600 mln through its dual listing in London and Tashkent, attracting demand that far exceeded expectations. Analysts say the strong investor interest demonstrates growing international confidence in Uzbekistan’s economic reforms and long-term market potential.

Fund representatives believe the IPO could pave the way for a new generation of Uzbek companies entering global...

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that suspected Ebola infections have reached 600, with 139 potential fatalities recorded, BBC reports. Health officials warn these figures are likely to climb due to the time required to accurately detect the virus.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, confirmed on Wednesday that 51 cases have been officially verified in the Democratic Republic of Congo alongside two in neighbouring Uganda. Addressing reporters in Geneva, he indicated that the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain probably began several months ago.

While the WHO declared the situation a public health emergency of...

Uzbekistan’s national football team will use Atlanta United’s Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground as its official base camp during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

The training complex in Marietta, Georgia, will host the Uzbek squad throughout the group stage of the tournament as the country prepares for its historic World Cup debut. The team, led by head coach Fabio Cannavaro, is expected to arrive in Atlanta on June 10.

Atlanta United said the facility’s recent $25 mln expansion helped secure the agreement with FIFA and Uzbekistan’s football federation. The 33-acre complex includes six full-sized pitches...

Source Music announced on Tuesday that Le Sserafim member Chaewon is taking a temporary break from her professional schedule due to health concerns. The agency confirmed she has been receiving treatment for neck pain and will strictly focus on her recovery.

Consequently, she will be absent from a string of promotional activities for the group’s highly anticipated second studio album, Pureflow pt. 1. Her missed appearances will include television music chart shows and a live showcase. The five-piece act will temporarily continue their promotional duties as a quartet until she is fully cleared to return.

Fan concerns and...

Policymakers, technology innovators and industry heavyweights have gathered in Samarkand for the opening of M360 Eurasia 2026. The major technology summit focuses on accelerating the region’s connected future and exploring the strategies needed to unleash its full digital potential.

Coinciding with the event’s launch, the newly published Mobile Economy Eurasia 2026 report revealed that the regional mobile ecosystem generated a staggering $270 bn in economic value in 2025. This equates to 8.1% of the total GDP and puts the sector on track to exceed $300 bn by the end of the decade.

During the opening keynote address, GSMA Chief...

The Tashkent Metro is preparing to introduce a completely revamped payment system designed to modernise how passengers pay for their daily commutes, according to a presidential resolution.

The upcoming ticketing overhaul will abandon the traditional flat-rate fare in favour of a more dynamic approach. The newly approved framework outlines three mandatory principles that will govern the upgraded system: