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The first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show took place during the final match between Spain and Argentina, featuring a collaborative performance from Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber and Shakira.

The stadium pitch was covered by a large colourful fabric displaying a child-like drawing of the Earth and the word “LOVE” inside a central circle. The production opened with Madonna emerging from a stadium gate to perform while flanked by individuals dressed as former football players Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Dancers carrying colourful flags flooded the pitch as she sang lyrics for her songs “I Feel So Free.”

MADONNA officially...

U.S. President Donald Trump received a separate, private viewing of the World Cup trophy following the public presentation ceremony at the tournament final.

Trump attended the decisive match between Spain and Argentina alongside First Lady Melania Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The American leader will join Infantino to formally present the championship trophy to the winning captain after the match.

However, the ceremonial duties extended beyond the public broadcast. Following the official on-field celebrations, organisers arranged for the trophy to be shown to Trump separately. This exclusive viewing allowed the president an intimate moment with global football’s most coveted...

American actor Tom Cruise opened the 2026 World Cup final with a pre-match speech highlighting the tournament’s capacity to transcend cultural divides.

Addressing a packed MetLife Stadium before Spain and Argentina took the pitch, the “Mission: Impossible” star reflected on the 48-nation journey spanning three host countries. Cruise told spectators that the month-long competition proved the sport belongs to a global audience.

“Football is a language spoken without words. A force that unites people, that turns strangers into friends, and reminds us of what we all have in common.”

The championship game serves as the...

Kimi Antonelli demonstrated immense maturity to claim his sixth victory of the 2026 season at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Italian driver kept his cool after losing the lead in the pit lane to hunt down Charles Leclerc and secure a vital win that extends his championship advantage to 50 points.

On a cool and dry Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps with track temperatures hovering around 32°C, the race delivered high drama from the very first lap. A collision between ex-Mercedes teammates, a brilliant tactical gamble from Ferrari and a fierce recovery drive from McLaren kept the packed grandstands entertained until...

Kimi Antonelli has secured a sensational pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix after a chaotic qualifying session at Spa-Francorchamps that saw Lando Norris ruin his chances with a late excursion into the gravel.

With Norris already facing a 10-place grid penalty for engine component changes, the door was left wide open for a front-row shootout between Mercedes and Red Bull. Ultimately, it was Antonelli who delivered when it mattered most to claim his sixth pole of the 2026 season by three-tenths of a second.

Hamilton’s Miraculous Recovery

Before a wheel was even turned in Q1, the spotlight...

A group selfie captured by basketball player Kevin Durant at the Fanatics Fest festival in New York has emerged as a major talking point online hours before the 2026 World Cup final.

The photograph, widely shared across social media platforms as one of the most star-studded sports images of the year, brought together prominent figures from various sports and entertainment fields. The gathering included football players Lionel Messi, Rodri and Emiliano Martinez alongside former defender Rio Ferdinand. Tennis star Novak Djokovic and American football icon Tom Brady also joined the frame.

Musician Travis Scott and comedian Kevin Hart completed...

Apple looks set to introduce a physical variable aperture mechanism to its smartphone lineup following a data breach that exposed internal hardware logs. Security researchers identified the upcoming component changes inside system diagnostics files stolen from manufacturer Tata Electronics by the World Leaks ransomware group.

The corporate data dump details the technical profile of the premium iPhone 18 Pro Max. According to the leaked documentation, the top-tier device will transition to a Sony IMX905 primary sensor.

While the imaging chip maintains the 1.22-micrometre pixel size of its predecessor, its standout hardware trait is the inclusion of adjustable aperture blades...

Uzbekistan recorded the highest growth in venture capital investment globally during the second quarter of 2026. Venture funding in the country increased by 539.7% year-on-year, according to a report from the analytics platform Dealroom.

Uzbekistan outpaced Kenya, which recorded a 325.7% growth rate. Austria, Ghana and Pakistan completed the top five with respective increases of 307.7%, 278.3% and 264.2%. China, Argentina, Ukraine, Croatia and the United States also placed in the top 10.

The growth in Uzbekistan stems from a low statistical base in the previous year combined with recent high-value transactions. Dealroom reported that funding was driven primarily...

U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain to present the victorious nation with the championship trophy.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the president’s upcoming appearance during a press briefing.

“His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure and most successful World Cup in American history,” she said.

Leavitt added that the high-profile match serves as a fitting conclusion to an event that highlighted the ability of the United States to host the global community on the grandest stage.

The American leader...

The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 5,069 with more than 21,000 displaced residents continuing to shelter in temporary accommodation.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez confirmed the latest government figures, which recorded a 24-hour increase of 139 fatalities. The official bulletin reported 16,740 people injured and 6,462 individuals successfully evacuated from immediate danger zones. The number of rescued individuals remained unchanged from the previous day.

The catastrophe left nearly 18,000 people homeless. Authorities have established 107 temporary camps that currently house 21,235 survivors. Structural damage is widespread across the affected region with...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed an extensive international cultural programme for 2026 and 2027 designed to showcase the nation’s historical heritage and contemporary arts on the global stage.

The presidential press service confirmed a series of high-profile exhibitions and performances across major international venues. The initiative begins in September with the “Uzbekistan: Heritage in Motion” exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. This will be followed by a feature in the “Global Antiquity” exhibition at Milan’s Fondazione Prada in November.

The programme also pairs international talent with historic venues. Renowned pianist Lang Lang is scheduled to perform...

Disney’s highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the animated hit “Tangled” has begun production, and fresh set photos provide a long-awaited glimpse at the film’s leading duo. Images circulating online show Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim stepping into the iconic roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as filming gets underway in northern Spain.

Directed by Michael Gracey, the filmmaker behind “The Greatest Showman”, the project is currently shooting on location in Valdegovia. The ambitious eight-month production schedule will span both Spain and the United Kingdom, making it the longest live-action shoot in Disney’s modern history. Croft, best known for her...

Samsung’s tightly guarded Galaxy Z Fold 8 has seemingly broken cover early after BTS member J-hope shared photographs featuring the unreleased smartphone on social media.

The artist uploaded a series of images to Instagram during the musical group’s ongoing world tour. Followers quickly identified the handset in the photos as the anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 8. The external design aligns perfectly with specifications detailed in recent supply chain leaks.

This sighting provides the most definitive real-world look at the flagship foldable ahead of its scheduled debut at the July 22 Galaxy Unpacked presentation.

Samsung maintains a lucrative promotional...

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron made an unexpected appearance at the Stade de France on July 17 to attend the first day in France of the BTS Arirang world tour. The political figures were spotted enjoying the musical performance from an exclusive VIP seating.

The presidential couple quickly became a viral sensation across international social media platforms after photos surfaced showing them holding the K-pop group’s signature light sticks. The illuminated devices are commonly known by fans as ARMY Bombs. Concert attendees shared videos of Brigitte Macron adorably attempting to turn on her interactive light stick...

United Airlines passengers who prefer not to use the newly renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport may reportedly be offered alternative airports, such as Fort Lauderdale or Miami, at no additional cost.

United Airlines has updated its reservation systems to reflect the transition from West Palm Beach Airport (PBI) to Donald J. Trump (DJT), according to an internal memo cited by the aviation blog Live and Let Fly.

The memo also instructs reservation agents on servicing passengers who may be reluctant to fly to and from the renamed airport:

«If a...

Fitch Ratings has upgraded the long-term credit outlook for Uzbekistan Airports Joint Stock Company from stable to positive while affirming its issuer default rating at ‘BB’.

The agency attributed the revision to the company’s resilient financial position, ongoing corporate governance reforms and the successful implementation of international financial reporting standards. The decision also aligns with a recent positive adjustment to Uzbekistan’s sovereign credit outlook.

The international ratings agency noted that the state-owned enterprise maintains a domestic monopoly over the nation’s airport services. The Ministry of Economy and Finance retains ultimate decision-making authority over strategic planning, financial management and the...

Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, will not travel to the 2026 World Cup final, opting to follow his personal «good luck» rituals rather than attend the match in person.

Milei has maintained a «good luck» routine of watching Argentina’s World Cup matches, each resulting in victory for the defending champions, from home. He said that «under no circumstances» will he break this pattern ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated match between his country’s team and Spain.

«I’m going to keep watching the matches from [the official residence in] Olivos, just like on the first day,» Milei told radio...

Residential property prices across Uzbekistan rose by 4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026. The market also saw a 1.3 % increase compared with the previous quarter.

Apartments experienced the most significant price surge over the 12-month period with overall values climbing 5.5%. Within this segment, the primary housing market recorded a 7.1% jump while secondary market flats increased by 4.2%. The cost of private detached houses grew by a more moderate 2%.

Regional markets outpaced the capital in overall price growth. Apartment prices in Tashkent increased by 3.9% annually. In contrast, other regions across the country reported...

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has nominated grandmasters Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov for the Best Player title at the inaugural FIDE Excellence Awards. The Uzbek duo will compete against world number one Magnus Carlsen and a shortlist of top global contenders.

The highly competitive category also features Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, Alireza Firouzja, Anish Giri, Gukesh Dommaraju, Vincent Keymer and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu.

Sindarov secured a second individual nomination in the Breakthrough of the Year category. His competitors include emerging talents such as Dommaraju, Keymer, Volodar Murzin, Divya Deshmukh, Faustino Oro, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Anastasia Hnatyshyn, Andy Woodward and...

Sir David Beckham cut a dejected figure in the stands on Wednesday night as England succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final. The former England captain, accompanied by his wife Victoria, appeared to shed a tear as the final whistle ended his nation’s tournament hopes.

Throughout the competition, the Beckhams have been fixtures at matches, with television broadcasts frequently cutting to the pair during moments of celebration. Earlier this week, Victoria faced light-hearted mockery online after her stoic reaction to Jude Bellingham‘s extra-time goal against Norway went viral.

Sir David defended his wife’s composure...

Besiktas has turned its full attention to strengthening its attacking line, setting its sights on Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth. This tactical shift follows the club’s recent acquisition of Leandro Trossard, a move that successfully bolstered the team’s left flank.

The Black Eagles had previously explored transfer options involving Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukaku. However, plans to sign the Serbian forward were shelved following a lack of response, while medical reports regarding the Napoli star were deemed unsatisfactory by the club leadership.

High-level talks for Norwegian forward

Besiktas President Serdal Adali held a direct meeting with his Atletico...

A jersey worn by Pele during the 1958 World Cup final fetched $4.9 mln at Sotheby’s on Thursday, setting a new auction record for memorabilia associated with the Brazilian football icon.

The famed yellow number 10 shirt saw intense interest from global collectors. The garment drew 10 offers from more than five individuals before the hammer finally fell. Its final price marks a massive appreciation since the kit last changed hands at a 2004 auction for £70,505, which was roughly $105,600 at the time.

A 17-year-old Pele wore the kit when he scored twice to help Brazil defeat hosts...

Tech startup Moonshot AI has introduced its latest artificial intelligence iteration. Dubbed Kimi K3, the multimodal system boasts a staggering 2.8 trln parameters and is slated to become the largest publicly accessible AI architecture globally when developers publish its full framework later this summer.

Engineered to tackle intricate enterprise tasks and extensive programming challenges, the platform can process up to one million tokens simultaneously while offering native image comprehension. Users can immediately interact with the technology via the company’s dedicated coding and workspace platforms as well as its application programming interface. Executives confirmed they will publish the underlying framework...

JYP Entertainment ended weeks of online speculation Thursday by unveiling the first three members of its new girl group OurBirthday.

The music label introduced the trio through a cinematic short film titled “Error 502: Bad Gateway” posted across its official social media platforms. Borrowing its name from a standard internet communication failure, the video depicts the artists navigating a glitch-heavy landscape before finally discovering one another. Understated narration accompanies the footage to establish the ensemble’s overarching fictional universe.

This live-action reveal definitively answers questions surrounding the project’s format. Prior to Thursday, the agency ran a cryptic marketing campaign consisting...