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Iran has warned it will target energy and water infrastructure across the Gulf if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on a threat to strike its electricity network, heightening fears of widespread disruption in a region heavily reliant on desalination.

Trump set a deadline late on Saturday, giving Tehran 48 hours to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face U.S. strikes on its power plants. The ultimatum, due to expire Monday evening U.S. time, has unsettled global markets, with oil prices fluctuating in early Asian trading.

Escalation Raises Risks For Critical Infrastructure

Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim...

Carrie Anne Fleming, a Canadian actress recognised for her work in horror series including Supernatural and iZombie, has died at the age of 51.

Her Supernatural co-star Jim Beaver confirmed to Variety that she died on February 26 in Sidney, British Columbia, due to complications related to breast cancer.

Career Spanning Film, Television And Stage

Fleming was born on August 16, 1974, in Digby, Nova Scotia. She later moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where she attended Mount Douglas Senior Secondary and trained in drama at the Kaleidoscope Theatre and the Kidco Theatre Dance Company.

She began her screen...

Chappell Roan has issued a response after Brazilian footballer Jorginho Frello accused a member of her security team of behaving «extremely aggressively» towards his 11-year-old daughter at a hotel in Sao Paulo.

Footballer Describes «Very Sad Situation»

Frello shared a statement on Instagram on Saturday describing what he called a «very sad situation» involving his wife and daughter, who were staying at the same hotel as the singer, who performed at Lollapalooza Brazil over the weekend.

According to Frello, his daughter spotted Roan during breakfast but did not approach her.

«She just passed...

Eldor Shomurodov and Abdukodir Khusanov have been included in Uzbekistan’s national team squad for the upcoming FIFA Series tournament, the Uzbekistan Football Association has announced.

Head coach Fabio Cannavaro has also called up Utkir Yusupov, Abduvokhid Nematov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Igor Sergeev and several others for the competition.

A number of players from the extended squad, including Jaloliddin Masharipov, Khusniddin Alikulov and Abbosbek Fayzullaev, will miss the training camp due to injuries.

The FIFA Series tournament will take place in Tashkent in late March, with Uzbekistan drawn alongside Venezuela, Gabon and Trinidad and Tobago.

The FIFA Series is a global initiative...

Brazilian-Italian footballer Jorginho has said his 11-year-old daughter was left distressed after an encounter involving pop singer Chappell Roan at a hotel in Sao Paulo.

In a post on Instagram, the 34-year-old midfielder said his daughter had been excited after learning the singer was staying at the same hotel during her visit for Lollapalooza Brazil. He wrote that she had even made a sign in anticipation of seeing an artist she admired.

According to Jorginho, his ex-wife Catherine Harding and their daughter Ava Law were having breakfast when Roan passed by their table. He said the child briefly walked...

Robert Mueller, the former FBI director and special counsel whose investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election shaped much of Donald Trump’s presidency, has died aged 81.

His family confirmed he passed away on Friday night, though no cause of death was immediately disclosed. They asked for privacy as they mourn his loss.

Mueller led the FBI from 2001 to 2013, taking charge just days before the September 11 attacks and overseeing a major transformation of the agency into a counterterrorism-focused organisation. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Ann Cabell Standish, their two daughters...

Iran’s Central Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan suggested that the European Union could turn to Tehran for assistance in protecting Greenland.

«If you are unable to defend Greenland – call us, we will come,» Radan told the ISNA news agency.

The comments come after former U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly suggested annexing Greenland to the United States, including the possibility of a military takeover. Trump cited national security reasons, claiming the island hosts Chinese and Russian submarines.

Denmark had reportedly prepared to destroy Greenland’s runways in the event of a forced U.S. takeover, and European...

Merlin Entertainments has revealed plans for a £50 mln Minecraft World attraction at Chessington World of Adventures, due to open next year, BBC reports.

Concept images show a rollercoaster, dining areas and interactive exhibits based on the blocky landscapes and iconic creatures of the video game.

Chessington, located about 30 minutes outside London, was chosen to attract both international and local visitors. The project marks the latest collaboration between Merlin, which also owns Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, and the Minecraft brand.

Immersive Design and Community Input

The attraction will feature Minecraft mobs including pigs, Creepers and zombies...

Police bodycam footage from Justin Timberlake’s 2024 drink-driving arrest in Sag Harbor, New York, has been released following a legal settlement, showing the pop star’s interactions with officers and performance during sobriety tests.

The 45-year-old singer and former NSYNC frontman was arrested in June 2024 for driving while intoxicated after police pulled him over for running a stop sign and veering onto the wrong side of the road. Timberlake later pleaded guilty to a lesser non-criminal traffic offence of driving while impaired.

The footage, partially redacted, spans more than eight hours and includes video from the traffic stop and...

Amazon MGM’s Project Hail Mary blasted to the top of the box office on Friday, setting course for a record-breaking debut weekend, Variety reports.

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the sci-fi film earned $33 mln on its first day across 4,007 cinemas in North America. It is projected to reach $77 mln by Sunday, giving Amazon MGM its biggest opening to date, surpassing Creed III.

Adapted from Andy Weir’s 2021 novel, the film stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a teacher who wakes aboard a spacecraft with no memory, only to uncover a mission to save the...

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has removed sanctions imposed on Uzbek national Gilad Piflaks, according to an official statement.

Piflaks and his father, Maks, were added to the sanctions list in early February 2022 as part of measures targeting 22 individuals and entities suspected by Washington of supplying high-tech components to Russia while circumventing sanctions.

Alongside Piflaks, authorities also lifted sanctions on several Russian and Hungarian nationals, as well as UAE-based company Reliable Freight Services FZCO.

Earlier this year, Washington imposed sanctions on another Uzbek citizen, Azizjon Mamashoev, who U.S. officials believe was involved in...

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could «obliterate» Iran’s power plants if Tehran fails to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump issued the ultimatum, signalling a potential expansion of U.S. strikes to civilian-linked infrastructure. The warning came just a day after he suggested the war could be scaled back.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has seen traffic disrupted by threats of Iranian attacks. The near shutdown pushed European gas prices up by...

Nicholas Brendon, the actor known for playing Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Kevin Lynch in Criminal Minds, has died aged 54. His family said he passed away in his sleep on Friday from natural causes.

In a statement, his family said they were «heartbroken» by the loss, describing him as a passionate and creative individual who had recently devoted himself to painting and art. They added that, despite well-documented personal struggles, he had been undergoing treatment and remained hopeful about the future. The family requested privacy as they mourn his death.

Brendon rose to fame as...

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a ballistic missile targeting the Riyadh region and destroyed five drones overnight, as regional tensions continue to escalate.

According to the Saudi Defense Ministry, three ballistic missiles were launched toward Riyadh on Sunday. One was successfully intercepted, while the remaining two fell in uninhabited areas without causing casualties.

In separate operations, Saudi air defenses also intercepted and destroyed five drones. Four were taken down in the eastern region, while a fifth was neutralized in another incident.

The Saudi Civil Defense authority confirmed that the situation in Al-Kharj had stabilised, urging residents to follow...

Uzbekistan’s rich textile traditions are offering travellers a deeper insight into the country’s history, culture and identity, with fabrics such as silk, ikat and suzani serving as living links to its Silk Road past.

Across cities like Bukhara and Tashkent, textiles remain a visible and meaningful part of everyday life, from bazaars and museums to homes and workshops. Experts say these fabrics carry cultural codes, reflecting social status, regional identity and centuries-old traditions.

Silk production, particularly in the Fergana Valley, has long been central to Uzbekistan’s heritage. Historically, silk from the region was highly prized and widely traded...

A festive ceremony marking the national holiday of Navruz was held at Yangi Uzbekistan Park, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressing the nation and outlining priorities for development and social progress.

The president отметил that this year Navruz coincides with Ramadan Hayit, describing the period as a symbol of renewal, unity and prosperity. He extended congratulations to citizens at home and abroad, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity regardless of nationality, language or religion.

Mirziyoyev said the celebration reflects a broader commitment to improving living standards and expanding opportunities across the country. Ongoing reforms include job creation, poverty reduction and...

Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon initially celebrated victory at the second round of the ADAC RAVENOL Nurburgring Endurance Series in their Mercedes-AMG GT3, before being stripped of the win hours later due to a rules violation.

Following routine checks by race officials, data from the mandatory tyre monitoring app revealed that the team had used seven sets of tyres on race day instead of the permitted six. As a result, stewards disqualified the car.

The victory was subsequently awarded to Dan Harper and Jordan Pepper, who competed in a BMW M4 GT3 for ROWE Racing.

Christian...

Uzbekistan has announced plans to select its first astronaut and launch two Earth observation satellites, marking a major step in developing a national space programme.

The initiatives were presented by Uzbekcosmos during a parliamentary roundtable, outlining a long-term strategy to boost scientific and technological capacity.

Authorities said a nationwide competition will be held to select the country’s first astronaut. Candidates aged 27 to 40 will undergo rigorous medical, psychological and physical testing, with finalists expected to complete training abroad before a short-duration mission focused on scientific research.

Uzbekistan is considering cooperation with countries including the United States, Russia...

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has outlined plans to deepen cooperation with Uzbekistan following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in February 2025.

According to William Tompson, head of the OECD’s Eurasia Division, the agreement creates a framework for supporting reforms across a broad range of sectors, including public governance, anti-corruption, environmental policy, taxation, education, and investment.

Talks are currently underway with authorities in Tashkent to define specific projects and allocate resources under the memorandum.

Tompson noted that implementation will be gradual, given the scope of the agreement, which covers 19 areas. The first...

Uzbek private carrier Qanot Sharq is set to launch direct flights between Tashkent and New York from May 3, 2026, becoming the first non-state airline to operate the route.

The airline will run two weekly services, on Wednesdays and Sundays, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The move ends the long-standing monopoly of Uzbekistan Airways on the 13-hour transcontinental route.

The new service is expected to boost competition, offering passengers more flexible travel options and potentially lower fares. Analysts say the arrival of a second carrier could reduce ticket prices and improve scheduling for travelers between Central Asia and the...

Chuck Norris, the Hollywood action star who became a global internet phenomenon through viral memes, has died at the age of 86, his family confirmed.

Best known for his roles in films such as The Way of the Dragon and Missing in Action, as well as the long-running TV series Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris built a reputation as one of the most recognisable action figures of his generation.

However, for many younger audiences, his legacy extended beyond film and television. In the early 2000s, «Chuck Norris facts» emerged on online message boards, portraying him in humorous, exaggerated terms...

Max Verstappen has secured a commanding victory in the second round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS2) to continue his impressive run in GT3 machinery.

Sharing the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with teammates Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, the four-time Formula 1 world champion conquered the four-hour endurance race at the infamous Nordschleife to cross the finish line over a minute ahead of the competition.

The race day started perfectly for the Verstappen Racing team when the Dutchman delivered a blistering lap time of 7:51.751 to put the Mercedes on pole position, finishing nearly two seconds clear of the rest of the...

K-pop group BTS have recorded their biggest ever first-day sales, with nearly 4 mln copies of their new album «Arirang» sold within 24 hours of release, their agency said on Saturday, Yonhap reports.

BigHit Music reported that the band’s fifth studio album reached 3.98 mln sales in its first day after launching on Friday. The figure surpasses the group’s previous first-week record of 3.37 mln copies set by their 2020 album «Map of the Soul: 7.»

«Arirang» also topped iTunes Top Albums charts in 88 countries and regions, including Italy, Mexico and Sweden, according to the label.

The album’s...

Around 40,000 fans gathered in central Seoul on Saturday to watch K-pop group BTS return to the stage after a four-year hiatus, prompting authorities to enforce heightened security measures, Yonhap reports.

The seven-member group began their performance at 8 p.m. at Gwanghwamun Square, with police estimating attendance between 40,000 and 42,000 people.

Large Crowds Fill City Centre

The venue included about 22,000 standing places stretching from Gwanghwamun Square to Seoul City Hall. Additional fans watched the concert on large outdoor screens mounted on nearby buildings, while others gathered around the area to catch a glimpse of the performance.