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North Korea marked their return to the Women’s Asian Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan, thanks to a first-half hat trick from Myong Yu-Jong.

The three-time champions, playing their first Asian Cup match since 2010, dominated the Group B opener in Parramatta, western Sydney. Myong scored all three goals within 41 minutes before being substituted just before half-time.

North Korea last competed in the tournament after losing the 2010 final to Australia, following a period of doping bans, poor results and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the long absence, the world No. 9 team showed their strength against...

Commercial banks in Uzbekistan issued loans worth 390 trln soums ($32 bn) in 2025, marking a nearly 36% increase compared with 2024, according to the Central Bank.

The regulator said the growth reflects stronger business activity and an expansion of financial support for the national economy.

Loans issued in the national currency were the main driver of the increase. In 2025 their volume reached 276.4 trln soums ($22.7 bn), up from 193.3 trln soums ($15.9 bn) a year earlier.

Individuals accounted for the largest share of these loans, receiving 156.8 trln soums ($12.9 bn). Legal entities borrowed 108.8 trln...

A senior figure in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said the Strait of Hormuz has been closed and warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway could be attacked, Reuters reports.

Ebrahim Jabari, an adviser to the Guards’ commander-in-chief, said Iranian forces would target ships trying to transit the strait. According to remarks reported by state media, both the Revolutionary Guards and Iran’s regular navy would act against vessels attempting to cross.

Key global oil route

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the...

Global stocks fell on Tuesday while the U.S. dollar strengthened as investors weighed the economic impact of American and Israeli strikes on Iran and the potential disruption to energy markets.

MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan dropped 1.5% for a second straight day, with South Korean shares falling as much as 4.1%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid 2.3%, while S&P 500 futures lost 0.6%.

Rupal Agarwal, Asia quantitative strategist at Bernstein, said geopolitical tensions are adding to already elevated economic policy uncertainty, recalling a similar situation during the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 that weighed on Asian markets.

Oil prices continued rising...

India and Canada have launched a new defence dialogue and signed a series of agreements covering uranium supply and critical minerals following high-level talks in New Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday, with officials announcing 25 outcomes from the bilateral discussions, including the formal launch of the India–Canada defence dialogue.

According to a joint statement, the new framework will institutionalise regular exchanges on defence policy, regional security and global strategic issues, with the aim of expanding military cooperation between the two countries.

The leaders also agreed to deepen collaboration on...

Apple has announced the iPhone 17e, a new mid-range smartphone that introduces modest upgrades while keeping the same starting price as its predecessor.

The latest model replaces the iPhone 16e and continues Apple’s entry-level lineup following the phase-out of the iPhone SE. The most notable upgrade is the inclusion of Apple’s new A19 chip, bringing the device in line with the current iPhone 17 series in terms of performance.

Apple says the A19 processor offers improved speed and efficiency, alongside a new C1X modem designed to deliver faster connectivity. The iPhone 17e now starts with 256GB of storage...

Fresh reports suggest tensions may be growing between Kanye West and Bianca Censori, with speculation centred on claims that Censori holds private digital material from their relationship.

According to unnamed sources cited in recent media coverage, Censori is allegedly in possession of emails, messages and recordings documenting their time together. The claims remain unverified, and no material has surfaced publicly.

The reports have gained traction following Censori’s recent interview appearances, which some commentators interpret as a shift toward a more independent public stance. In a Vanity Fair profile, she reportedly pushed back against narratives suggesting West controlled her...

Qatar has issued a stern warning against filming or sharing videos from incident sites, saying violators could face legal consequences amid heightened regional tensions.

The country’s Ministry of Interior said recording or distributing footage from strike locations violates national laws and could threaten public safety and security. Officials urged residents and visitors to avoid spreading unofficial content and rely only on verified government sources.

Authorities stressed that sharing images or videos from sensitive locations could expose military or defensive positions, potentially aiding hostile actors. They also warned that crowds gathering to film incidents may obstruct emergency services, including...

Skywatchers will have a rare chance to witness a total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026 — an event that will not repeat in full form for almost three years.

The eclipse will be visible across East Asia, Australia, the Pacific region and parts of western North America. During totality, the full «Worm Moon» will pass completely into Earth’s shadow, turning a copper-red hue often called a «blood moon.» The total phase is expected to last about 58 minutes.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves fully into Earth’s darkest shadow, known as the umbra. Sunlight...

A Bank of England policymaker has warned that the UK economy may soon shift from battling inflation to confronting weak demand, as price pressures continue to ease.

Speaking at a conference hosted by Norway’s central bank in Oslo, Monetary Policy Committee member Alan Taylor said the UK could soon move beyond the traditional trade-off between slowing growth and inflation.

«I judge that we will soon find ourselves largely outside of trade-off territory – and even at risk of entering the familiar realm of deficient demand,» Taylor said.

He noted that inflation has consistently...

Zendaya and Tom Holland have reportedly tied the knot in a private ceremony, according to comments made by celebrity stylist Law Roach, though the couple has not publicly confirmed the news.

Speaking on the red carpet at the Actor Awards in Los Angeles on March 1, Roach told Access Hollywood that the wedding had already taken place.

«The wedding has already happened. You missed it,» he said, adding when pressed, «It’s very true!»

The claims remain unverified, and representatives for the pair have not commented. Zendaya, 29, and Holland, 29, have long...

Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been thrown into doubt as tensions escalate following a widening conflict involving the United States and Israel.

The Iranian national team secured qualification earlier this year after topping its Asian qualifying group. However, reports emerging from Iran suggest officials are considering withdrawing from the tournament amid the fallout from recent airstrikes and growing regional instability.

The uncertainty comes after the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the strikes, a development that has intensified domestic turmoil and international tensions. Analysts say the situation could influence major...

Aston Martin Racing could face a limited outing in Melbourne after the Honda RA626H power unit proved unreliabl, Motorsport reports. The six-cylinder engine has caused battery failures during testing, forcing the squad to spend more time in the garage than on track.

Technical director Adrian Newey must reconsider development plans for the AMR26, while former Mercedes executive Andy Cowell has flown to Japan to lend his experience to Honda engineers. The power unit’s shortcomings have left Aston Martin in a difficult position, putting months of preparation and ambitious plans at risk.

Lawrence Stroll’s investment in the team has already...

Mikel Arteta became the centre of attention after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at the Emirates, but not for his team’s performance. During the post-match press conference, a journalist mistook a shadow under his eye for a black eye, prompting a humorous exchange.

«Sorry, it might be the lighting but it looks like you’ve got a black eye,» the reporter asked.

Arteta, momentarily surprised, touched the area and replied with a smile, «Yes, I’m very good thank you.» The room erupted in light chuckles as the Arsenal manager laughed along and joked with the press.

Late in February 2026, Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to carry out retaliatory attacks across the region.

Stanislav Pritchin, head of the Central Asia sector at Russia’s Institute of World Economy and International Relations, told Kursiv Uzbekistan that the escalation is unlikely to have a direct impact on Uzbekistan.

According to the expert, none of the parties involved in the conflict are major trade or investment partners for Tashkent, which limits the immediate economic consequences for the country.

However, Pritchin warned that instability in the Middle East, along with clashes between Afghanistan and...

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover rose by 29.2% in January, reaching $5.83 bn, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Imports accounted for the majority of the total, exceeding export revenues by about two and a half times.

The country earned roughly $1.7 bn from exports, largely driven by services and industrial goods. At the same time, spending on imported products reached $4.1 bn, with purchases of foreign machinery, transport equipment and chemical products making up a significant share.

China and Russia remained Uzbekistan’s leading trade partners. Trade turnover with China totalled $1.6 bn, while transactions with Russia reached $1.1 bn.

A drone struck a British Royal Air Force base in Cyprus overnight, damaging a runway but causing no casualties, officials from Cyprus and the United Kingdom.

The unmanned aerial vehicle hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri shortly after midnight, causing minor damage when it crashed into the military facility, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said. It was the first attack on the base since a rocket strike by Libyan militants in 1986.

Authorities said the drone was a Shahed-type aircraft believed to be Iranian-made. It was not immediately clear where it had been launched from. Two sources initially said British...

Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery after it was struck by a drone, Reuters reports.

The Ras Tanura complex, located on the kingdom’s Gulf coast, is one of the Middle East’s largest refineries, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day. It also functions as a key export terminal for Saudi crude. The closure was a precautionary measure, and authorities said the situation remains under control. Two drones were intercepted at the site, and falling debris caused a minor fire, according to a Saudi defence ministry spokesperson on Al Arabiya TV. No injuries were...

Protests against the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran turned deadly in Pakistan and Iraq on Sunday. Iranian exiles in Europe and other regions took to the streets to celebrate the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

At least 23 people were killed in Pakistan, including 10 in the port city of Karachi, where security personnel at the U.S. consulate opened fire on demonstrators who breached the outer wall. 11 people died in the northern city of Skardu after protesters set a U.N. office on fire, and two were killed in the capital Islamabad. In Iraq, police used tear...

Global markets came under pressure on Monday as oil prices surged and equities declined amid fears that escalating conflict in the Middle East could drag on for weeks and disrupt the fragile global economic recovery, Reuters reports.

Benchmark Brent crude climbed 6.4% to $77.57 a barrel after briefly rising above $82 earlier in the session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased 6.2% to $71.17 per barrel, while Gold rose 1.6% to $5,360 an ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets.

The surge followed continued military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, alongside Iranian missile attacks

Israel launched new air strikes on Tehran while widening its military campaign to include attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Reuters reports.

Israeli forces said the latest attacks targeted locations tied to Hezbollah after the group acknowledged firing missiles and drones toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Israeli air strikes hit Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, with more than a dozen explosions reported across the city. Israel also said it struck senior Hezbollah figures near the capital.

Conflict spreads across the region

The exchange of attacks between Hezbollah and Israel...

Actors Zendaya and Tom Holland have quietly tied the knot, according to comments made by Zendaya’s stylist on a red carpet.

Stylist Law Roach revealed the news while speaking to reporters at the Actor Awards. When asked about the couple’s wedding plans, he responded,

«The wedding has already happened. You missed it,» before confirming with a laugh that the marriage had indeed taken place.

The pair first met in 2016 while filming the Marvel movie Spider-Man: Homecoming and later made their relationship public in 2021. Engagement speculation began after Zendaya appeared at the Golden...

At least 153 people, including children, have died after a reported strike hit a school in southern Iran, according to BBC.

Authorities in Tehran blamed the United States and Israel for the incident. However, the United States Central Command said it was reviewing reports of the strike, while the Israel Defense Forces said it was not aware of any operations carried out by its forces in the area.

The school, described as a girls’ school, is located in the city of Minab in southern Iran. The site is situated near a base belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps...

Iran’s naval forces appear to have suffered damage during the U.S.-Israeli operation known as Operation Epic Fury, with satellite imagery and early reports indicating strikes on key naval facilities.

Images from late February showed smoke and debris at the Konarak naval basin near Chah Bahar, where a frigate was believed to be docked. Analysts said the vessel appeared heavily damaged, with debris scattered across the dockside. Nearby airbase infrastructure linked to anti-ship drones may also have been hit.

The strikes come amid broader attacks targeting Iranian military infrastructure following coordinated US-Israeli operations launched on February 28. U.S. President...