News

Authorities in Uzbekistan have opened a criminal case against a driver who attempted to bring a Starlink satellite terminal into the country without declaring it. The device was discovered in the boot of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and has since been confiscated for investigation, according to the Samarkand regional customs office.

Officials said the driver failed to include the equipment, valued at around 6 mln soums ($494), in the customs declaration. The case is being investigated under national laws covering violations of customs regulations.

The import ban is linked to the use of regulated radio frequencies in Uzbekistan. Equipment such as...

McDonald’s has launched a worldwide partnership with the Oscar-winning animated film KPop Demon Hunters, bringing themed menu items and fan collectibles to restaurants from March 31, 2026.

The promotion invites fans to choose between two rival groups from the film: the demon-hunting girl band HUNTR/X and their counterparts, the Saja Boys.

“KPop Demon Hunters has ignited an incredibly passionate global fandom, and we’re always looking for authentic ways to bring fans deeper into the worlds they love,” said Netflix Chief Marketing Officer Marian Lee regarding the launch.

“With McDonald’s, we were able to turn the rivalry between The Saja Boys and HUNTR/X into something fans can actually experience, drawing inspiration from Korean culture and food traditions that sit at the heart of the film.”

NASA has successfully launched four astronauts on the Artemis II mission. The 32-storey Space Launch System rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 22:35 UTC on Wednesday, carrying the Orion crew capsule named Integrity into orbit.

The flight represents the first time humans have travelled beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The crew features NASA commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

The roster sets several historic milestones, making Glover the first person of colour to...

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are signaling a shift from regional rivalry to closer cooperation, as both countries describe their relationship as a «strategic tandem» following high-level talks in Tashkent.

During an official visit on March 31, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. The meetings highlighted a growing alignment between Central Asia’s two largest economies.

Kosherbayev described bilateral relations as a model of «reliable and long-term cooperation,» emphasizing the importance of regular high-level dialogue. Saidov echoed the sentiment, welcoming the Kazakh delegation and underscoring the strengthening partnership between the neighbouring...

SpaceX has confidentially filed for a U.S. initial public offering, according to sources familiar with the matter, setting the stage for what could become the largest IPO in history.

The company, founded by Elon Musk, could be valued at more than $1.75 trillion, reflecting investor enthusiasm for space technology and artificial intelligence. If successful, the listing could surpass the record set by Saudi Aramco in 2019.

SpaceX’s growth has been driven by its reusable rocket technology and its Starlink satellite internet network, which has expanded rapidly in recent years. The IPO filing follows a major merger with Musk’s...

The Bank of England has warned that the ongoing conflict involving Iran could pose a serious threat to global financial stability, following what it described as a «substantial» shock to the world economy.

In its latest quarterly update, the central bank said the war has intensified existing risks across financial markets, particularly in private credit and bond sectors. Rising oil prices since the outbreak of the conflict have already driven sharp market movements, including higher government bond yields and widening credit spreads.

The Bank cautioned that the situation could weigh on economic growth, push inflation higher and lead...

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has become the center of online speculation following her appearance at a Tom Ford event in Shanghai, where her new look quickly ignited debate across social media.

The Oscar-winning actress attended the event during Shanghai Fashion Week, marking her role as a beauty ambassador for Tom Ford. Jolie appeared in an elegant ivory outfit paired with bold red lipstick and debuted a lighter, icy blonde hairstyle — a noticeable change from her usual look.

While the appearance drew praise for its sophistication, it also triggered a wave of online reactions questioning her facial features...

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has issued a stark warning over a worsening global energy crisis, linking the disruption to escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Speaking on the situation, Lee said the scale of the crisis is «worse than you think,» citing growing instability in global energy markets and South Korea’s heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The crisis has been intensified by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The move has disrupted supplies worldwide, hitting energy-dependent economies in Asia, including...

A new study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge warns that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is creating «data heat islands» that significantly increase temperatures in surrounding areas.

According to the research, large AI-powered data centers can raise local land surface temperatures by an average of 2°C (3.6°F), with extreme cases reaching as high as 9.1°C (16.4°F). The effect could impact more than 340 mln people globally.

Scientists analysed two decades of satellite data from NASA, comparing it with the locations of over 6,000 data centers worldwide. Their findings show that the warming effect...

Celebrations erupted across Bosnia and Herzegovina after the national team secured a place at the next FIFA World Cup, with jubilant scenes highlighting the emotional weight of qualification. Yet behind the joy, tensions are growing within European football over how places at the expanded tournament are distributed — and how qualification itself is decided.

The upcoming World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, but European governing body UEFA has been allocated just 16 slots — only three more than in the previous 32-team format. Several European associations argue that this increase does not reflect the...

A drone attack has struck an oil facility operated by a British company in Erbil, triggering a major fire and sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky, according to local media reports.

Footage shared by Rudaw English showed large columns of grey smoke rising from the site after the strike. The extent of damage and any casualties have not yet been officially confirmed.

The incident comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions involving Iran and Western allies. Tehran has recently warned it may target foreign military installations in the region, including those linked to the United Kingdom...

Iran is facing growing international scrutiny following reports that minors are being recruited for wartime-related activities as part of a nationwide mobilisation campaign.

According to information published on March 30, the effort is reportedly being coordinated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and includes children as young as 12. The initiative is said to involve tasks such as surveillance, neighbourhood patrols and assisting at checkpoints, with sign-ups allegedly taking place in mosques and public areas across Tehran.

The issue gained urgency after reports that an 11-year-old boy was killed in a drone strike while assisting at a...

US tech giant Oracle Corporation has begun a major round of layoffs affecting thousands of employees worldwide, as the company accelerates investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Workers across several countries, including the United States, India, Canada and Mexico, reported receiving termination notices on Tuesday. Internal accounts and media reports suggest that between 10,000 and 30,000 jobs could be cut, potentially impacting up to 18% of Oracle’s global workforce of around 162,000 employees. In India alone, as many as 12,000 roles may be affected.

The company has not officially confirmed the full scale of the layoffs. In regulatory filings...

Jack Doohan has confirmed he will compete in the 2026 European Le Mans Series, marking a shift to endurance racing following his departure from Formula 1.

The Australian, now a reserve driver for Haas F1 Team, will race for Nielsen Racing in the LMP2 category. He is set to share the team’s No. 24 Oreca 07 with Britain’s Ed Pearson and Israel’s Roy Nissany.

«I’m really excited to be back racing in 2026 and to be joining Nielsen Racing for my first season in LMP2,» said Doohan.

He highlighted the opportunity to learn quickly and...

Sebastian Vettel is set to take part in this year’s London Marathon, marking a new challenge for the four-time Formula 1 world champion since his retirement in 2022.

He will run the 26.2-mile race through the British capital alongside Tom Clarkson, a Formula 1 journalist and host of the Beyond The Grid podcast.

The pair will raise funds for the Grand Prix Trust, which supports current and former Formula 1 personnel, and the Brain & Spine Foundation. The charity was established by Sid Watkins and focuses on helping people affected by neurological conditions.

Since stepping away from racing, Vettel...

Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan is preparing new rules to compensate passengers for delays on high-speed trains. The move follows 51 complaints filed by passengers last year.

Under the proposal, compensation will depend on how long the delay lasts and must be paid when the disruption is the carrier’s fault.

Passengers will receive 15% of the ticket price if a train is delayed by 15 to 30 minutes. Compensation will rise to 25% for delays of 31 to 60 minutes.

For longer disruptions of 61 to 120 minutes, passengers will be refunded half the ticket cost. If a delay exceeds...

Lipton Ice Tea has offered a reward for information regarding the recent theft of 12 tonnes of KitKat chocolate.

In a social media post formatted as an official statement, the beverage company offered condolences to the chocolate manufacturer. Lipton pledged 1,000 bottles of iced tea to anyone providing materially valuable information about the missing cargo.

The shipment of 413,793 KitKat bars disappeared in transit between a factory in...

The International Air Transport Association has published its global aviation market figures for February 2026. The data reveals a 6.1% year-on-year increase in total passenger demand. Domestic travel expanded by 6.3% while international journeys rose by 5.9%.

Aviation capacity saw a 5.6% boost, pushing the load factor to a record February high of 81.4%. Overall, the growth in demand remains stable and closely aligns with capacity increases.

The Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions experienced robust performance, but geopolitical tensions led to softer outcomes in the Middle East. International routes between Europe and Asia surged by 14%, driven notably by travel...

The countdown to the grandest football spectacle in history has officially begun. Following a thrilling round of final intercontinental and UEFA playoffs on Tuesday, the full 48-team lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, is now complete.

This summer’s tournament introduces a groundbreaking structural shift, organizing the global competitors into 12 distinct groups of four. Here is a look at the qualification drama, the final group draws, and the key dates to watch.

Heartbreak and Elation in Final Qualifiers

The concluding qualification matches provided fans with incredible highs and...

India has begun the largest census in the world, asking over a billion residents 33 questions about housing, household members, education, internet access and more. With a population of more than 1.4 bn people, India overtook China in 2023.

The exercise, the first in over 15 years, will take place in two phases over the next year. More than three mln officials, including schoolteachers and local government staff, will visit households across 36 states and territories, over 9,700 towns and nearly 640,000 villages.

For the first time, India’s census will be largely digital. Enumerators will use mobile apps to collect and upload...

Tiger Woods has announced he will step back from his professional and public commitments after a recent DUI charge linked to a car crash in Florida. The golfer said he intends to focus on his health and enter treatment to ensure long-term recovery.

«I recognise the seriousness of this situation,» Woods wrote on X. «I need to take time to prioritise my well-being and work toward a stronger, healthier future. I ask for privacy for myself and my family during this period and appreciate the support of everyone who understands.»

Authorities reported that Woods...

Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree allowing public sector employees in Uzbekistan to switch to remote work or adjust their schedules when air quality deteriorates.

Authorities also plan to introduce a rapid alert system to keep the public informed. The mechanism will deliver updates via SMS, news outlets and online platforms, enabling residents to quickly assess air quality conditions and potential risks.

Medical professionals will develop tailored recommendations for vulnerable groups during periods of poor air quality. In more serious cases, people may be advised to remain indoors until conditions improve.

Schools and kindergartens will also adapt to...

National Committee on Statistics of Uzbekistan reports that 1,159 people moved to Uzbekistan for permanent residence in 2025.

The majority of newcomers arrived from the CIS. Russia accounted for 39.9% of arrivals, followed by Kazakhstan at around 20% and Tajikistan at 10%. Smaller shares came from Kyrgyzstan with 4.3% and Turkmenistan with 3.1%, while the remaining 22% arrived from other countries.

The largest number of new residents settled in Tashkent, which received 698 people. A further 275 moved to the surrounding Tashkent region, while Karakalpakstan recorded 101 arrivals.

Other regions saw significantly lower figures, including Syrdarya region with...

Ghana Football Association has dismissed head coach Otto Addo with just 72 days remaining before the start of the 2026 World Cup.

The move was confirmed on Tuesday, hours after a 2-1 defeat to Germany in Stuttgart during preparations for the tournament, which will be staged across North America next summer. Ghana had also suffered a heavy 5-1 loss to Austria days earlier.

Addo, a former Borussia Dortmund player, returned for a second stint in March 2024 but struggled to deliver results. Despite having Premier League talents including Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus available, Ghana failed to qualify for...