News

A lavish megayacht associated with a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin has successfully navigated the heavily restricted Strait of Hormuz, BBC reports.

The 142-metre Nord made the journey from the United Arab Emirates to Oman over the weekend despite a continuing blockade that has virtually halted private maritime traffic in the critical Gulf channel.

Tracking data from Marine Traffic shows the Russian-flagged vessel departed Dubai late on Friday evening and moored at the Al Mouj marina in Muscat by Sunday morning. The ship’s transit is highly unusual given that non-commercial boats have largely steered clear of the waterway...

Taylor Swift is taking novel legal measures to safeguard her identity from the growing threat of artificial intelligence, Variety reports. Following a blueprint established by actor Matthew McConaughey, Swift has recently filed a series of trademarks designed to protect her distinctive voice and visual persona.

On Friday April 24, the singer’s firm TAS Rights Management submitted three applications to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Intellectual property lawyer Josh Gerben identified the filings, which aim to legally ring-fence specific aspects of her brand:

The Austria Auction Company is set to hold its upcoming «Collector Rugs 20 – No Reserve» auction in Vienna, offering collectors a wide selection of antique carpets and textiles.

The event, scheduled for May 2026, will feature hundreds of lots, continuing the auction house’s established series of no-reserve sales that attract international buyers. According to listings, bidding will take place both online and via webcast, allowing global participation.

The auction will include a diverse range of rugs from regions such as Persia, the Caucasus, Anatolia and Central Asia, reflecting the broad geographic scope typical of the series. Previous...

Kazakhstan has officially ratified a trilateral agreement on green energy cooperation with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, marking a step forward in regional clean energy integration.

The law was signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and published in the national press. The agreement, originally signed in Baku in November 2024 by the leaders of the three countries, focuses on strengthening strategic cooperation in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The deal includes joint projects in the production and trade of green hydrogen and ammonia, as well as the development of infrastructure for cross-border electricity transmission. It also aims to establish stable technical...

The Kyrgyzstan U-18 national ice hockey team suffered a defeat against Uzbekistan U-18 national ice hockey team in the U-18 Asian Cup, according to local reports.

Uzbekistan secured a convincing victory, maintaining control throughout the match and limiting Kyrgyzstan’s scoring opportunities. The result highlights Uzbekistan’s strong performance in the tournament as it continues to compete for top positions.

The match is part of the ongoing U-18 Asian Cup, which brings together youth teams from across the region to compete at an international level. Kyrgyzstan, where ice hockey is still developing, continues to gain experience through participation in such...

The daughter of Uzbekistan’s former president, Gulnara Karimova, is facing trial in absentia in Switzerland on charges of bribery and money laundering involving hundreds of millions of dollars.

Proceedings opened in a federal criminal court in Bellinzona and are expected to run until late May. Karimova, 53, is currently serving a prison sentence in Uzbekistan and is unable to attend the hearings.

Swiss prosecutors allege she led a criminal network known as «The Office,» which involved dozens of individuals and companies. The group is accused of moving large sums of illicit funds through Switzerland and other jurisdictions, as...

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Hokkaido early Monday, just days after a powerful offshore tremor triggered a rare megaquake advisory in Japan.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake hit at around 5:23 a.m. local time near the town of Sarabetsu at a depth of more than 80 kilometres. Despite being widely felt, authorities reported no casualties, significant damage, or tsunami risk.

The tremor follows a 7.7-magnitude offshore earthquake last week that prompted warnings of a potential «megaquake.» However, Monday’s event occurred outside the advisory zone, and officials said the heightened alert period will conclude as planned.

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is facing renewed criticism after a joke about Melania Trump resurfaced in the wake of a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

The remark, made days earlier during a parody segment, described Melania Trump as having the «glow of an expectant widow.» Following the attack, critics, largely from conservative circles, have pointed to the joke as an example of increasingly hostile political rhetoric.

Several commentators have called for an apology from broadcasters, arguing the tone of such remarks contributes to division. Social media backlash has also intensified, with some users questioning whether the...

Brigitte Macron has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of nearly a decade in the public eye, saying her time as France’s First Lady exposed her to the world’s «stupidity» and «wickedness.»

In a recent interview, the 73-year-old described becoming increasingly pessimistic since her husband, Emmanuel Macron, took office. She cited constant scrutiny, online abuse, and conspiracy theories as major sources of strain, adding that the intensity of life at the Elysee has been overwhelming.

Brigitte Macron has been the target of persistent false claims online, including widely circulated conspiracy theories about her identity. She said the harassment...

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...