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US President Donald Trump said on September 25 he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, rejecting calls from far-right Israeli politicians.

«I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, it’s not going to happen,» he told reporters, urging an end to the expansion of settlements.

His comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly. France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal have recently recognised a Palestinian state to preserve hopes for a two-state solution, a move condemned by Israel.

Brazilian skateboarding legend Sandro Dias has written his name into the record books after completing a breathtaking descent from the side of a skyscraper in Porto Alegre, Red Bull reports. The 50-year-old broke two Guinness World Records™ during the Red Bull Building Drop, conquering a custom-built ramp attached to the 22-storey Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari (CAFF).

Record-Breaking Descent

Launching himself from a height of 70 metres, Dias sped...

A Colombian league match between Independiente Medellín and Junior Barranquilla produced one of the strangest moments of the season when visiting forward Guillermo Paiva of Paraguay found the net in an unusual way.

Paiva was lying in the penalty area after a collision when a cross from Daniel Rivera struck him directly on the backside and bounced into the corner of the goal. The stadium was stunned, social media exploded — but celebrations were cut short as the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. The game eventually finished 2-2 with the bizarre goal disallowed.

How the...

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order moving forward with the plan to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to American and global investors, in line with national security requirements set by a 2024 law.

Vice President JD Vance said the new company would be valued at about $14 bn, a figure far lower than some analyst estimates. Trump also delayed enforcement of the law banning TikTok until January 20, allowing time to finalise the restructuring, bring in investors and gain approval from Beijing.

Protecting Data and Securing Approval

Vance told reporters there had been «some resistance on the...

The second season of Mnet’s male audition programme Boys Planet concluded on September 25 night with eight winners revealed in the final episode.

Top eight contestants were selected by fan votes cast during the live finale. The series, which began on July 17, featured 160 aspiring K-pop idols competing for a place in the debut line-up.

Grid Entertainment trainee Lee Sang-won topped the rankings with more than 7.2 mln votes, followed by Zhou An Xin of Nouer Entertainment and Boy Story’s He Xin Long, who is signed under JYP Entertainment.

«Although filming lasted only three...

Aviasales.uz reports a sharp rise in domestic travel across Uzbekistan this autumn, with the overall number of trips increasing 2.8 times compared with last year.

The main driver of this growth was Bukhara, which saw bookings rise 4.31 times — a 331% increase. Travellers typically spend two days in the city. The surge is linked to the Biennale of Contemporary Art held there from September to November, which drew widespread interest from visitors across the country.

Tashkent continues to hold the top spot in domestic tourism. Bookings to the capital up by 150%, while average ticket prices remained at...

The Uzbekistan Football Association is holding talks with 2006 Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro about taking charge of the national side, Championat.asia reports. Should the negotiations end successfully, the legendary defender will become head coach of Uzbekistan’s team.

Earlier candidates for the role included Paulo Bento, Joachim Löw and Fatih Terim.

Who is Fabio Cannavaro?

Born on September 13, 1973 in Naples, Italy, Cannavaro played as a central defender and built an illustrious career at club and international level.

He featured for:

Speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warned that the credibility of global institutions is weakening amid mounting international tensions.

«Serious violations of international law have become a ‘new normality,’ undermining global stability and eroding trust between peoples, political leaders, and states,» he said.

Tokayev underscored the need for stronger international governance in an era of turbulence, insisting that the UN must adapt through meaningful reforms. Central to this, he argued, is a restructuring of the Security Council to ensure fairer representation for Asia...

FIFA has revealed the official mascots for the 2026 World Cup, the first men’s tournament to be hosted across three nations.

The trio of character, Maple the moose for Canada, Zayu the jaguar for Mexico and Clutch the bald eagle for the United States, were announced on Thursday. FIFA said the mascots embody the spirit of the host countries and the togetherness of the global competition.

«The ‘26 team has just got bigger – and more fun,» FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. «Maple, Zayu and Clutch are full of joy, energy and the spirit of...

Israel could be suspended from European football as soon as next week, with UEFA’s executive committee expected to vote on banning the country’s football association and clubs. Sources told Telegraph Sport that most committee members support suspension, and talks are planned with FIFA about extending the measure to World Cup qualifiers.

The move comes after a UN panel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza — allegations Israel has rejected as «distorted and false.» Former footballer Eric Cantona, actor Benedict Cumberbatch, and political figures including Jeremy Corbyn have joined calls for Israel to be excluded from global sport.

The...

Uzbekistan, home to some of the most storied cities of the Silk Road, is fast gaining international attention as a hub for arts, culture, and adventure. Long celebrated for its mosques, madrasahs, and vibrant bazaars, the Central Asian nation is now investing heavily in cultural institutions and events that promise to redefine its place on the global stage.

Art at the Heart of the Silk Road

This September, Uzbekistan launched the inaugural Bukhara Biennal, titled «Recipes for Broken Hearts,» running until November. The exhibition combines visual arts, crafts, music, textiles, and culinary traditions in the UNESCO-listed city, signaling the...

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a long-running case over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya.

The Paris Criminal Court delivered the verdict on Thursday, acquitting the 70-year-old of charges of bribery, illegal campaign financing, and benefiting from embezzled public funds. The sentence was not suspended or converted to home monitoring.

The case centers on claims that millions of euros from Moamer Gaddafi’s regime were funneled into Sarkozy’s campaign, with witnesses testifying to suitcase deliveries of cash in...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will publicly denounce leaders of countries that recently recognised Palestinian statehood when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.

Speaking at Ben Gurion Airport before flying to the US, Netanyahu accused world leaders of «rewarding murderers» by extending recognition to Palestine.

«At the UN, I will tell our truth – the truth of Israel’s citizens, the truth of our soldiers,» he said. «I will condemn those leaders who, instead of condemning the murderers, rapists and burners of children, want to give...

Billionaire investor Bill Gates executed more than $4 bn (£2.9 bn) in stock trades during the second quarter, significantly reshaping the holdings of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The filings show Gates boosted his stake in Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway while trimming his exposure to Microsoft, the company he co-founded.

Big Bet on Berkshire Hathaway

Gates purchased 6.95 mln Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B) in the quarter ending June 30, increasing his stake by 40.5%. The additional shares, valued at $3.43 bn...

Negotiators at the United Nations climate summit are racing against time to finalise an agreement, with deep divisions emerging over whether to commit to a global phase-out of fossil fuels.

Talks stretched late into the night as delegates from nearly 200 countries debated language on energy transition, climate finance, and adaptation measures. While many European and small island states are pushing for a firm timetable to end reliance on coal, oil and gas, several major producers remain opposed.

«The science is clear — without an orderly exit from fossil fuels, the world will not meet the...

Former MLS midfielder Mateusz Klich has delivered sharp criticism of Inter Miami, calling his experience at the club «a disaster» and claiming Lionel Messi’s family exerts total control.

Speaking on Polish show Foot Truck, the Cracovia player said,

«I do not recommend Miami as long as Messi is there. People are leaving, including coaches and physiotherapists. The organizational situation is poor, and Messi’s father is running the club. Everyone speaks Spanish, and nothing can happen without their consent.»

Klich’s remarks contrast with Messi’s own image in Florida, where the Argentine star appears content and...

The latest delays in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon, have reignited a wave of conspiracy theories online. From claims that the original Apollo landings were faked to speculation about hidden alien evidence, space agencies and private companies alike continue to face scrutiny from skeptics.

Some critics point to the Trump administration’s push for renewed lunar missions as a possible attempt to «reveal truths» about extraterrestrial life — a claim dismissed by scientists as unfounded. At the same time, billionaire-led ventures such as Jeff Bezos’s high-profile spaceflights are hailed as groundbreaking achievements by supporters...

Moderna has opened its first UK manufacturing facility for mRNA vaccines, with chief executive Stephane Bancel praising Britain as «a country that still believes in vaccination.»

The £1bn investment includes the new Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC) at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. The site will be able to produce up to 100 mln doses annually, rising to 250 mln in a pandemic, and create around 150 highly skilled jobs.

Bancel’s comments come amid growing anti-vaccine rhetoric in the United States, where President Donald Trump’s administration and health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have promoted...

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been formally recognised for scoring his 100th goal for the club.

The Portuguese midfielder reached the milestone with the opening strike in United’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea last weekend, becoming only the 23rd player in the club’s history to achieve triple figures.

On Wednesday, director of football Jason Wilcox presented Fernandes with framed artwork during a gathering at Carrington, attended by teammates and staff.

«This is just a small presentation of recognition to Bruno, our captain,» Wilcox said. «He’s scored 100 goals for Manchester United, which is...

In September, Tashkent hosted the VII International Conference on the Capital Market of Uzbekistan, one of the country’s key financial events. The forum brought together regulators, exchange representatives, issuers and international experts.

Speakers included Vyacheslav Pak, First Deputy Director of the National Agency of Prospective Projects, George Paresishvili, the then Chairman of the Republican Stock Exchange, and Farrukh Karabayev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the National Association of Investment Institutions. Also speaking was Anton Andrenko, Director of Belarusian firm “Avangard Leasing” CJSC and founder of “Asset leasing and finance” LLC in Uzbekistan.

“Asset leasing” encouraged the regulator...

During his visit to the United States, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev inaugurated the International Business Marathon of Compatriots. The initiative was announced at his meeting with Uzbek nationals and students studying in the US under the El-yurt umidi foundation’s scholarship programme.

The project is designed to serve as a platform connecting young people with successful entrepreneurs from among the Uzbek diaspora abroad. At the meeting, the president discussed ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan and underlined the role of the diaspora in promoting these changes.

Participants put forward proposals aimed at strengthening trade, attracting investment, advancing science and education...

Dominick Reyes is set on re-entering the light heavyweight title picture after enduring a difficult spell that saw him lose four consecutive bouts, including a razor-thin defeat in a championship fight several years ago. Recently, the American has staged a comeback with knockout victories over top contenders, bringing his record to 15 wins and 4 losses, with nine victories inside the UFC.

Across the cage will be Carlos Ulberg, who carries a 12-1 record and an impressive 8-1 tally in the UFC. The New Zealander is riding an eight-fight winning streak that includes victories over a former champion and...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has forecast average economic growth of 6.1% across Central Asia in 2025, according to its latest Regional Economic Prospects report. Bank’s projection covers Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The Bank attributes this performance to strong industrial output, resilient domestic demand, rising real wages, investment flows and continued remittance growth. For 2026, the outlook remains positive though growth is expected to ease to 5.2%. Main risks include volatility in commodity markets, dependence on remittances and heavy reliance on Russian and Chinese demand.

Uzbekistan: services and manufacturing drive...

Electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre will give a landmark performance at Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on November 1, 2025. The one-off show, organised with the Uzbekistan Culture Development Foundation, will mark Jarre’s first visit to the country and transform the UNESCO World Heritage site with an immersive display of sound, light and architecture.

The concert will coincide with the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, being hosted in Samarkand for the first time in four decades outside Paris. A UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for many years, Jarre said his performance would honour the city’s historic role as a meeting point of cultures.