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A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed, according to the BBC.

Hegseth said the vessel was hit by a torpedo on Tuesday and sank quickly. He did not initially identify the ship. However, Sri Lanka later said it had responded to a distress call from an Iranian vessel, the Iris Dena, which went down about 40 kilometers off the country’s southern coast.

Sri Lankan officials said rescuers recovered 80 bodies from the frigate and rescued 32 survivors, who were taken to a hospital in the southern port of Galle...

On March 5, BTS revealed the poster and trailer for the “BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang” concert. The video was uploaded on the group’s official social media channels.

The trailer opens with loud screams from the fan base, ARMY, filling the concert venues. The group members say that they promised the fans they would be back.

The video also features Gyeongbokgung Palace. Against the historic backdrop, the phrase, «the world’s biggest band is back,» appears.

The trailer highlights all seven members: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, with dedicated frames for each.

China has set its annual economic growth target at 4.5% to 5%, the country’s lowest goal since 1991, reflecting challenges such as weak domestic spending, a property crisis and a shrinking population, according to Reuters.

The target was announced at China’s main annual political meetings, known as the «two sessions,» where the country’s top officials shared early details of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Once approved at the end of the week-long meeting, the document will set economic goals for the nation through 2030.

China last changed its growth target in 2023, setting it at «around 5%.» In...

Valve, developer of the cult shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, has unexpectedly restored the game page on its online game marketplace Steam, which had been replaced by the most recent installment in the series, Counter-Strike 2. CS:GO is now available for download without complicated instructions or workarounds.

However, the game does not offer the full-fledged previous experience. Servers remain disabled, leaving users only with offline mode against bots. Nevertheless, fans have returned to the game for nostalgia.

Even with these limitations, interest has proven significant, with 8,500 gamers simultaneously launching the older installment. Notably, in its prime...

Robinhood Markets Inc., a California-based provider of an electronic trading platform, has announced a new premium product — the Platinum card — aimed at high-income users, Reuters reported.

The company’s Platinum card carries a $695 annual fee and offers cashback and other perks. Robinhood said these benefits could total up to $3,000 per year, putting it in line with premium cards from American Express and JPMorgan Chase. The American Express Platinum card costs $895 annually, while JPMorgan’s Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $795 annual fee. Both cards offer benefits valued at about $3,500 and $2,700, respectively.

Robinhood, which...

Samsung’s latest unveiled flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, won the industry’s prestigious «Best in Show» award at the Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO) during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026, currently being held in Barcelona, Spain, the company said in a release.

The awards ceremony took place on March 4. The GLOMO Awards are held annually during MWC and are organized by the GSMA. The «Best in Show» award is granted following judging by over 200 industry experts and analysts.

Samsung said the device was recognized for its seamless combination of cutting-edge hardware...

Last year, when I came across an old photo online of Tom Cruise in a gray jacket standing next to an elderly Russian woman outside a private home with carved wooden window frames, I assumed it was AI-generated. It looked too improbable to be real. It wasn’t.

In the summer of 1987, Cruise made a private visit to the Soviet Union — a trip documented in the memoirs of the Russian filmmaker who accompanied him, along with a series of rare photographs taken at the time.

Hollywood stars — reimagined in 1990s Russia

The pictures below, however, are...

A satirical online campaign suggesting that Barron Trump, the youngest son of President Donald Trump, should be drafted into the military has emerged after the United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran, Euronews reported.

The campaign centers on a website called DraftBarronTrump.com, created by former «South Park» writer Toby Morton. The site humorously suggests that the president’s 19-year-old son should join the military as the U.S. becomes involved in the conflict. The hashtag #SendBarron has spread widely on social media as part of the campaign.

Morton, who is known for purchasing internet domain names...

Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka announced her engagement to Georgios Frangulis, a businessman of Greek origin. Kursiv LifeStyle explains what is known about the couple. 

The athlete posted a video of a touching ceremony on Instagram. Sabalenka knelt on one knee to propose as they were surrounded by candles and huge flower arrangements.

«You & me, forever 3.3.26,» the caption read.

They...

The U.S. is considering new ways to protect oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating conflict with Iran. President Donald Trump said that these could include government-backed insurance and naval escorts for tankers, Reuters reported.

According to the president, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has been instructed to offer political risk insurance and financial guarantees to shipping companies working in the Gulf. He also said the U.S. Navy could escort commercial ships through the area if needed for security.

These measures are meant to keep oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway...

On March 3, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) unveiled the official Tournament Poster, with 100 days remaining until the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Canadian artist Carson Ting, Mexico’s Minerva GM and American Hank Willis Thomas contributed to the creation of the poster.

«The Official Tournament Poster celebrates the collaborative spirit, excitement and unity of this unique moment in time,» FIFA wrote in a release.

The central figure in the poster’s composition is a...

The latest Freedom Holding Corp. PMI indicated a renewed decline in service sector activity across Kazakhstan midway through the first quarter of 2026. Companies attributed the drop in new orders to January’s value-added tax (VAT) increase, which led to further sharp rises in both input costs and output prices in February. In response, firms reduced staffing levels, reversing the marginal job gains recorded in the opening month of the year.

The headline Freedom Holding Corp. PMI Business Activity Index fell below the neutral 50.0 mark midway through the first quarter. A reading of 48.0, down from 50.5 in January, signaled...

BTS, the globally recognized K-pop band, revealed the tracklist of its upcoming album «Arirang,» the group’s first in six years, scheduled for release on March 20, Billboard reported.

The album will consist of 14 songs. BTS posted the list on Instagram and Weverse. The release opens with «Body to Body.» Then follow «Hooligans,» «Aliens,» «FYA,» «2.0,» «No. 29» and «SWIM.» The second part of the album will bring fans «Merry Go Round,» «NORMAL,» «Like Animals,» «they don’t know ’bout us,» «One More Night» and «Please.»

Fans have already...

«Love Story» star Sarah Pidgeon, who portrayed Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, has been named the new face of the Rhode brand.

Read also: Asian models steal the spotlight on the Louis Vuitton and Dior runways.

The actress appears in the company’s first beauty campaign and introduces new spring makeup shades.

Focus on Rocket Blush

The launch centers on Rocket Blush. The line debuts...

Kazakhstan’s population reached 20,518,005 as of February 2026. Since the beginning of the year, the country has added 18,100 residents.

Natural increase remains the primary driver of growth. More than 15,800 babies have been born in Kazakhstan since Jan. 1. Net migration has also remained positive, totaling more than 2,300 people.

Read also: Meet Constitution: The unusual Kazakh names reflecting a nation in transition.

Urban areas are accounting for most of the growth. The urban population increased by 21,200 and now exceeds 13 million residents.

Meanwhile, the rural population declined by 3,000 people...

Chinese electric compact crossover SUV BYD Atto 3 ended up at the epicenter of a missile strike in Jerusalem, Israel, on March 1. The vehicle’s cabin remained structurally sound, and the high-voltage battery did not catch fire, despite being close to the explosion and the resulting crater, CarNewsChina reported.

According to Israeli emergency services, five people were in the car. The driver sustained moderate injuries, while the passengers escaped with minor injuries and shock.

Body intact, battery remains safe

The hit was not direct; as military experts note, most civilian vehicles would likely not survive a...

Moschino, the Italian luxury fashion brand, has once again surprised the public. This time, the brand unveiled a handbag shaped like a roll of toilet paper.

In a video showcasing the unusual accessory, fashion blogger Malu Borges demonstrated the bag, which resembles a real toilet paper roll. It features a blueprint and a long handle made of silver beads. The video quickly went viral on social media, drawing thousands of comments.

The U.S. military has joined Ecuador’s police to target what officials describe as «designated terrorist organizations» in the country, opening a new phase in a broader U.S. campaign against drug trafficking, CNN reported.

U.S. Southern Command said the effort reflects «a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism.» The command said both countries are taking «decisive action» against groups it says have spread violence and corruption across the region.

Last September, the U.S. State Department designated Los Lobos and Los Choneros, two of Ecuador’s largest criminal...

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s next supreme leader, according to Iran International.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, the ayatollah’s second son, has long been viewed as a potential successor. He is widely seen as closely associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful branch of Iran’s armed forces.

Interim leadership established

On March 1, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran established an interim leadership council and declared a 40-day mourning period. Alireza Arafi was appointed acting supreme leader.

As...

Due to the escalating situation in the Middle East, Kazakhstan is repatriating its citizens on an emergency basis. Currently, 946 nationals have returned.

Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee reported that four flights carrying Kazakh citizens returned on March 4.

Air Astana carried out the following flights from Saudi Arabia:

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of AI and Digital Development, in partnership with domestic mobile operators, has introduced free mobile service packages for Kazakh citizens in the Middle East. However, the terms offered by Tele2 and Altel are more limited than those provided by Beeline Kazakhstan.

Read also: Kazakhstan to share Starlink internet with neighbors.

Beeline is offering 1 GB of mobile data and 30 minutes of calls within Kazakhstan for 10 days, including calls to local numbers and incoming calls. The support package is available to Kazakh citizens in...

Rising cancer rates among women are linked to a move away from traditional home bread baking, according to comments made by Zoyir Mirzayev, governor of Uzbekistan’s Tashkent region, in a video that sparked heated debate on social media last year. The footage was filmed in the city of Bekabad during a meeting between the governor and local residents, UzDaily reported.

Read also: Can we truly end cancer as we know it?

Mirzayev suggested that one contributing factor to cancer trends is the decline of traditional tandoor

Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas announced he will not seek reelection to a fourth term in the U.S. House. However, his identical twin, Trever Nehls, is now running to succeed him, CNN reported.

Troy Nehls said he made the decision after spending extended time at home during last year’s government shutdown. After deciding to step aside, he approached his brother about running for the seat. Trever Nehls agreed to run and later secured an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

The brothers, who live next door to each other in Fort Bend County near Houston, share similar backgrounds...

Startup Anthropic, the developer of the chatbot Claude, has made one of its main features available to all users. Memory is now accessible for free-plan users, whereas it was previously exclusive to paid plans.

The feature allows the service to remember details from previous conversations with the chatbot. When enabled, Claude takes into account past prompts, preferences and topics to generate more personalized and informed responses.

The feature was introduced last year, with flexible settings added later. Memory can be paused or reset, with erased data never stored on servers.

The update dropped soon after Anthropic...