World

Uzbekistan has maintained its 53rd position in the World Happiness Report 2026 ranking of the world's happiest countries, with a happiness score of 6.283 out of 10. This result indicates stability compared to previous years. The report is released annually ahead of International Day of Happiness on March 20 and is prepared by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with the Gallup Institute and the United Nations.

A drone attack originating from Sudan struck the eastern border town of Tine in Chad late Wednesday, killing 17 people and injuring several more. Chadian government officials confirmed that all those killed were civilians. Local eyewitnesses reported that the explosions targeted mourners at a funeral and children playing nearby, highlighting the attack's impact on non-combatants.

A drone attack launched from Sudan has killed 17 people in Chad, according to the Chadian government, which has pledged to retaliate against any further strikes as the civil war in the neighboring nation continues. A government spokesman announced the death toll on Thursday from the attack on the border town of Tine, stating it occurred despite “various firm warnings addressed to the different belligerents in the Sudan conflict and the closure of the border.”

In the Turkish resort city of Bodrum, a 36-year-old Uzbek citizen was reportedly subjected to rape and robbery in the Yalikavak district's Gökbebek neighborhood. Two male suspects, aged 24 and 25 and identified as construction workers, were detained by local gendarmerie forces following an investigation. Authorities claim the men lured the woman into their vehicle under the pretense of giving her a ride to the Türkbükü quarter, but then diverted to a construction site where the assault allegedly occurred.

Prague is preparing for what could be one of the largest demonstrations in the Czech capital in recent years this Saturday, as organizers rally against what they describe as democratic backsliding under Prime Minister Andrej Babis's government. The protest, organized by the NGO A Million Moments for Democracy, is set to take place at Letna Plain, the site of the largest demonstration against the communist regime in November 1989. Organizers hope for a turnout similar to the 2019 rally against a previous Babis government, which drew nearly 300,000 people.

Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini adopted a constitution based on the Shia sect, effectively rendering all non-Shia citizens second-class. Concurrently, he initiated a programme to 'export the revolution', leading to the creation of ideologically driven Shia militias across the region. These militias have been implicated in significant bloodshed in several Arab countries, contributing to ongoing regional instability.

The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has entered its third week, spilling across the region. Each round of retaliation deepens a cycle that threatens to pull the wider Middle East into prolonged instability. The question of how this conflict might end is becoming increasingly urgent, as a decisive military victory is unclear and negotiations are fraught with difficulty.

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen took to the pitch with a broken right arm during the UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool, which ended in a 4-0 loss, in a desperate attempt to prevent his team's 4-1 aggregate elimination. This act of dedication highlights the extreme pressures faced by athletes in high-stakes competitions, raising concerns about player welfare.

Across Southeast Asia, households are increasingly taking on debt to cover basic needs, with analysts warning that the region's growing reliance on borrowing risks triggering wider financial stress and long-term economic harm. Countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Malaysia are seeing household debt relative to GDP surge, creating economic vulnerabilities.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title has been awarded to Morocco, stripping it from Senegal. This decision came after CAF's Appeal Board ruled on January 18 that Morocco, the defeated finalists, should be declared the tournament winners. The final, which Senegal won 1-0 in extra time, was delayed for 14 minutes when Senegalese players and staff returned to the dressing room in protest against the awarding of an injury-time penalty to Morocco in the second half.

The governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, have simultaneously declared a temporary pause in hostilities during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan Eid. This move aims to foster peace during the sacred period, highlighting the involvement of regional mediators in addressing ongoing tensions between the two nations.

Israel escalated its conflict with Iran by striking the critical South Pars gas field on Wednesday, marking a new phase in a war that began on February 28 when the United States and Israel allegedly bombed Iran. Iran retaliated by targeting energy facilities across the Gulf region, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility at Qatar's Ras Laffan plant early Thursday, in a move that threatens to deepen regional instability and disrupt global energy markets.