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The global banking industry is moving toward a touchless future, with artificial intelligence, automation and cloud-based technologies transforming how customers access financial services. Industry experts say digital platforms are increasingly replacing traditional branch-based interactions, making banking faster, more personalized and more efficient.

According to a recent industry analysis, banks are using AI-driven tools to streamline processes such as customer onboarding, loan approvals, fraud detection and compliance checks. Machine learning systems can analyse customer behaviour in real time, helping financial institutions identify suspicious transactions and tailor services to individual needs.

The shift is also being supported by cloud-native infrastructure...

Beeline Uzbekistan has been named the winner of the ESG Awards 2026 in the «Inclusive Growth & Education Empowerment» category for its Beeline Academy initiative and received a Certificate of Appreciation in the «Responsible Production & Sustainable Supply Chains» category for its Less In, Same Out project.

The awards were presented at the first ESG Award Ceremony & ESG Review Report Presentation, held as part of the fifth anniversary of the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF). The ceremony was organised by the Foreign Investors Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (FIC) together with the Ministry of Investment...

The Formula 1 future of Max Verstappen remains a massive talking point in the paddock. Despite the four-time world champion holding a firm deal with Red Bull until the end of 2028, his manager Raymond Vermeulen has stepped in to clarify the situation amid swirling rumours.

Recent reports have heavily suggested that the Dutchman’s lengthy agreement contains specific performance-related exit clauses. Red Bull’s sudden drop down the competitive pecking order has only further fuelled speculation that Verstappen might seek a move to a more competitive rival. The driver has endured a remarkably difficult start to the current campaign, managing...

FIFA has dismissed reports that ticketless supporters gained access to England’s opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Croatia, saying it has no evidence that fans entered the stadium without valid tickets.

The governing body issued a statement after eyewitnesses claimed that security checks at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, were easily bypassed. Several supporters alleged that gaps around ticket barriers and lightly monitored entry points allowed some people to enter without proper verification.

Despite the allegations, FIFA maintained that there was «no indication» of unauthorized entry into the venue, which hosted more than 70,000 spectators for...

Iran’s football federation is preparing to file a formal complaint with FIFA over what it describes as unfair restrictions imposed on the national team during the 2026 World Cup. Officials argue that travel and visa-related limitations have significantly disrupted the squad’s preparations.

The federation’s latest grievance centers on tournament logistics that require the team to leave the United States shortly after matches and return to its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico. Iran has been permitted to re-enter the U.S. only shortly before its next fixture, a schedule that coach Amir Ghalenoei says leaves little time for recovery and...

Canada recorded the first World Cup victory in their history with a dominant 6-0 win over nine-man Qatar in Group B, but celebrations were overshadowed by a serious injury to midfielder Ismael Koné.

Jonathan David led the way with a hat-trick, while Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba also found the net. Qatar defender Mohamed Al Mannai added an own goal as the hosts overwhelmed their opponents in front of more than 52,000 fans in Vancouver.

The match took a grim turn in the second half when Koné suffered a severe leg injury following a tackle from Qatar midfielder...

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has reportedly been sentenced to 74 lashes, a two-year travel ban and a two-year prohibition on artistic activities after performing without a hijab in a livestreamed concert on YouTube in December 2024. The ruling was issued by the Criminal Court of Qom Province and also affects eight members of her production team and accompanying musicians.

The charges reportedly stem from the publication of what authorities described as «vulgar and immoral content» online. Ahmadi’s audience-free «Caravanserai Concert,» performed at a historic caravanserai near Qom, featured the singer appearing without the mandatory head covering while performing...

Telegram has failed in its legal attempt to overturn a temporary ban imposed by the Indian government. On Friday, a New Delhi court ruled that the state’s decision to block the messaging application was both legal and reasonable in its aim to protect the integrity of a crucial medical school entrance exam.

The suspension, which runs from June 16 to June 22, has ignited a fierce debate regarding digital freedoms in the world’s most populous country.

The block was initiated after the results of a major national medical entrance exam were cancelled last month following widespread allegations that the...

The 2026 World Cup has its first knockout stage qualifiers after co-hosts Mexico secured a narrow victory against South Korea in Guadalajara. Maintaining their perfect start to the tournament, Javier Aguirre’s men are now guaranteed to advance as Group A winners.

The home crowd did not hide their frustrations during a lacklustre opening 45 minutes, audibly booing the national team as they headed down the tunnel at half-time. However, the atmosphere shifted drastically shortly after the restart.

In the 50th minute, Mexican midfielder Luis Romo capitalised on a catastrophic defensive mix-up. South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided heavily with...

As part of the Fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), Uzbekinvest’s top management held a series of high-level meetings with the heads of leading export credit agencies and financial institutions from developed economies, including John Jovanovic, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EximBank), as well as senior representatives of Switzerland’s SERV, France’s Bpifrance, Italy’s SACE, Germany’s Euler Hermes, the United Kingdom’s UKEF and Denmark’s EIFO.

Participants in the discussions commended the high level of organisation of the Tashkent International Investment Forum and praised the comprehensive overview of Uzbekistan’s economic transformation and development agenda presented...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed highly positive projections for Uzbekistan, forecasting that the national economy will expand by 6.8% this year. This is expected to be followed by a solid 6% growth rate in the coming year.

According to the latest IMF report, this strong economic trajectory is primarily fuelled by high levels of private consumption, sustained domestic investments and significant progress in ongoing national reforms.

The international financial institution noted that these structural improvements paired with a strict monetary policy should effectively curb inflation. The ultimate goal is to steadily bring inflation down to hit the...

Source Music announced on Friday that Kim Chaewon is set to officially reunite with her Le Sserafim bandmates starting next week.

The beloved group leader was forced to step back from her professional duties for a month to undergo treatment for severe neck pain. According to her agency, the artist has now made a sufficient recovery and is fully cleared to resume her regular promotional schedule.

Her temporary medical absence meant she unfortunately missed out on the core promotional cycle for “Boompala”, the lead track from the group’s highly successful second studio album Pureflow Pt. 1.

Despite being...

Abdukodir Khusanov, the formidable defender for both the Uzbekistan national squad and Manchester City, has taken time out to visit a television cameraman who was hurt during a recent World Cup clash against Colombia.

The unfortunate incident unfolded midway through the match. While fiercely contesting possession, the footballer sprinted past the touchline and accidentally crashed directly into the broadcaster who was positioned right at the edge of the pitch.

Following the final whistle, representatives from the Uzbekistan camp made it a priority to check on the cameraman to ensure his condition was stable and not a cause for...

The wait to secure the most anticipated video game of the decade is almost over. Rockstar Games has announced that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) will go live on June 25, signalling the start of the final countdown to the game’s eventual release.

Eager players will be able to lock in their purchases through digital storefronts as well as physical high street retailers. To mark the occasion, the studio also lifted the curtain on the official GTA 6 cover art, which will be featured across both physical editions and digital libraries. Curiously, the developers have decided to...

The global music scene has been dealt a shocking blow with the sudden passing of Brytavious Chambers, the powerhouse hip-hop producer widely recognised as Tay Keith. He was 29.

Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed that the artist was discovered unresponsive inside his Martin Street flat on Thursday afternoon. Officers had initially arrived at the residence to conduct a standard welfare check. While medical examiners are yet to pinpoint an exact cause of death, authorities have explicitly stated that no foul play is suspected.

Right up until his untimely passing, Chambers remained fiercely dedicated to his craft. Merely days before...

Japanese football supporters have once again earned praise for cleaning up stadium stands after a World Cup match, but the gesture has sparked debate in Japan, where some critics have accused fans of double standards.

The discussion emerged after Japanese supporters stayed behind to collect rubbish following Japan’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Texas. The clean-up effort, a tradition associated with Japanese fans since the 1998 World Cup, drew widespread admiration on social media and from international observers.

However, some Japanese social media users questioned whether the practice reflects everyday behaviour in Japan...

Oil markets may be underestimating the challenges facing global energy supplies despite the recent US-Iran ceasefire agreement and plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to analysts.

Crude prices have fallen sharply in recent days, with Brent crude dropping below $80 a barrel as traders bet that the agreement will restore disrupted oil flows and ease supply concerns.

However, industry experts warn that global oil inventories have been heavily depleted during months of disruption in the Gulf. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not expected to immediately restore tanker traffic, production, refining operations or insurance coverage, meaning...

Colombia made a winning start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over tournament debutants Uzbekistan in Group K at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium.

After dominating possession for much of the first half, Colombia broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when Daniel Munoz volleyed home from a Luis Diaz assist. Uzbekistan responded strongly after the break and equalized through Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who scored his country’s first-ever World Cup goal in the 60th minute.

The parity lasted only five minutes as Diaz restored Colombia’s lead with a shot that slipped through goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov’s...

Governments across the Middle East and beyond have welcomed a new agreement between the United States and Iran to extend their ceasefire and begin negotiations aimed at reaching a long-term settlement to the conflict.

The deal, signed with Pakistan acting as a mediator, extends the ceasefire for 60 days, reopens commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz and commits both sides to negotiations on a broader agreement covering security, sanctions and Iran’s nuclear programme.

Countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, China and Türkiye praised the breakthrough, describing it as an important step toward regional...

American singer, songwriter, and internet personality Oliver Tree became one of the most recognizable alternative music artists of the 2020s. Known for his eccentric bowl haircut, oversized clothing, and viral music videos, he built a massive online following before his tragic death in 2026.

How Oliver Tree Became Popular

Oliver Tree was born on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California. He showed an interest in music from an early age, learning piano as a child and writing songs while still in elementary school.

His breakthrough came after the release of the song «When I’m Down», which gained attention...

Ukraine has carried out its largest drone attack on Moscow since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, targeting the Russian capital and surrounding regions with nearly 200 drones.

According to Russian authorities, 17 people were injured in the Moscow region, while an oil depot in the southern Rostov region was hit, leaving one person dead. Russia’s Defence Ministry said almost 1,000 drones and four Ukrainian cruise missiles were intercepted across the country within 24 hours.

Several fires broke out in Moscow after drones struck the Kapotnya oil refinery in the city’s southeast. Thick black smoke was seen rising...

Pop sensation Lil Nas X has reassured fans that he is doing much better following a severe mental health crisis that led to his arrest last August.

In a touching three-minute video posted to social media the 27-year-old musician revealed he had recently completed a months-long stint in rehab. Following his treatment he has since returned to his family home in Atlanta to focus on his ongoing recovery.

The candid update is the first major public statement from the artist since his highly publicised arrest in Los Angeles last summer. At the time he was charged with assaulting police officers...

An 83-year-old grandfather’s plan to fund his grandchildren’s university education with a valuable Star Wars Lego collection has spiralled into a chaotic legal battle. Ed Mansell’s pristine hoard, featuring a rare Cloud City set valued at roughly $10,000 (£7,456), completely vanished from an Oregon toy shop, sparking widespread internet outrage and multiple lawsuits.

The dispute began when Mansell’s family placed the collection on consignment with Chrystal Law who operated a local Bricks & Minifigs franchise. Over a year later the parent company ousted Law over unpaid debts and transferred the shop to new management. When Mansell’s monthly cheques stopped...

The World Bank’s board of directors has approved a $150 mln allocation to develop rural infrastructure across Uzbekistan. According to the financial institution’s press service the funds will be directed towards launching the second phase of the ongoing “Rural Infrastructure Development” programme.

Initiated by the Uzbek government in 2019 the comprehensive project aims to support residents living in remote rural areas across six regions of the republic. The second phase commands a total budget of $340 mln. Alongside the $150 mln from the World Bank the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will provide $120 mln while the Uzbek government will...