News

The Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan has reached out to its neighbours in an effort to secure stable petrol deliveries. Bishkek has sent official appeals to governments in Uzbekistan, Russia and Belarus as the republic remains heavily dependent on importing its fuel.

Officials in Kyrgyzstan highlighted that the volatile situation in the Middle East, potential logistical issues and soaring global crude prices pose a severe risk of supply chain disruption. To alleviate pressures on the domestic market the Kyrgyz authorities intend to boost local petrol production and keep a close watch on national fuel pricing.

Uzbekistan’s energy landscape

A recent report from Rozetked indicates that Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could see a notable upgrade in battery life. The eSIM-only version of the flagship device is rumoured to feature a 5425 mAh battery while the model retaining a physical SIM slot may include a slightly smaller 5235 mAh cell.

These figures represent an estimated 7% to 8% capacity increase compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max which houses 5088 mAh and 4832 mAh batteries for its respective versions. In stark contrast the same source claims that the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra will maintain a 5000 mAh...

The City Council of La Plata in Argentina has unanimously voted to grant the South Korean pop phenomenon BTS the esteemed title of “Guests of Honour”. This prestigious accolade arrives just before the band’s highly anticipated live shows in Buenos Aires scheduled for this October.

In Argentina the “Guest of Honour” designation is a formal civic award bestowed upon notable international visitors to recognise their significant cultural, scientific or social contributions. The local council passed the resolution on Thursday following a passionate proposal from the regional fan community known as BTS La Plata Oficial.

Documents presented to the Culture...

The Pervomaisky District Court in Bishkek has delivered its verdict on the highly publicised “Letter 75” case. According to Akipress the main figure in the trial was Kamchybek Tashiev who previously served as the head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security.

The court found Tashiev guilty of preparing for a violent seizure of power. He was handed a four-year prison sentence alongside the confiscation of his property. However the former security chief was granted a three-year probation period which allows him to avoid serving actual time behind bars.

Seven other individuals involved in the case received similar judgements...

A recent publication by the World Gold Council indicates that the Central Bank of Uzbekistan bought nine tonnes of gold in May. This substantial acquisition means the country now holds the third position globally among central banks gathering the precious metal.

Since the beginning of the year Uzbekistan has accumulated net purchases amounting to 33 tonnes. This impressive volume makes it the second-largest buyer in the world right behind Poland. The World Gold Council report also notes that gold makes up a massive 87% of the international reserves held by the Central Asian republic.

Looking at the broader international...

A recent performance in Belgium took an unexpected turn when BTS member Jimin demonstrated his deep care for the band’s supporters. During the second night of their ARIRANG World Tour in Brussels on July 2, the South Korean singer brought the live show to a standstill after spotting an audience member who appeared unwell.

Acting swiftly, Jimin drew the attention of his fellow bandmates to the unfolding situation and immediately requested intervention from the venue’s crew. The entire group stood by patiently as security guards and medical personnel navigated the packed arena to reach the individual in distress. Band leader...

Katy Perry delivered a spectacular performance at Blenheim Palace on Wednesday as the global pop icon headlined the inaugural Blenheim Palace Festival with her acclaimed Out of Office Tour.

Performing in the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site near Oxford, Perry treated thousands of fans to a career-spanning set featuring hits including California Gurls, Teenage Dream, Dark Horse, Firework, Roar and Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.). Singer-songwriter Mimi Webb joined the event as the support act.

The show featured Perry’s signature theatrical production, complete with elaborate costume changes, bold choreography and striking visual effects. One of the standout...

The European Union has vowed to break the deadlock over appointing a new international peace envoy for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as political divisions continue to delay reforms needed for the country’s EU accession.

Speaking during a visit to Sarajevo, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc is committed to finding a strong European candidate to replace former High Representative Christian Schmidt, who stepped down earlier this year.

The appointment has become a source of tension between Brussels and Washington. The United States supports Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi for the role, while most EU countries back...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has captured the attention of U.S. soccer fans, but a new poll suggests the tournament has yet to transform the United States into a true football nation.

According to an Ipsos Sports survey conducted for the Associated Press, only about 20% of Americans identify as soccer fans, while just 17% say they are “very” or “extremely” excited about the remainder of the World Cup. American football, basketball and baseball continue to dominate the country’s sporting landscape.

Despite that, the tournament has generated optimism among existing supporters. Around three-quarters of U.S. soccer fans believe...

England supporters have come under fire for the growing trend of throwing pints into the air whenever the Three Lions score at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with critics arguing the celebrations are spoiling the atmosphere for other fans.

The practice, common in pubs, fan zones and stadium concourses, has become one of the most recognisable traditions among England supporters. While many fans see it as a joyful expression of celebration, others say it leaves spectators soaked in beer, creates slippery surfaces and results in unnecessary waste.

The debate intensified after England’s dramatic comeback victory over DR Congo...

Global oil prices fell to their lowest level in four months after the latest round of indirect U.S.-Iran talks in Doha concluded without a breakthrough, as investors remained optimistic that diplomatic efforts would help avoid major supply disruptions.

Brent crude dropped nearly 2% to around $70.66 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell to $67.54, with both benchmarks reaching their lowest levels since March.

Although negotiators failed to reach a permanent agreement, Qatari officials described the discussions as showing “positive progress.” Further talks are expected after July 9, following the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader.

Naomi Osaka once again proved that Grand Slam tournaments are as much a fashion runway as a sporting stage, arriving at Wimbledon in a striking all-white kimono inspired by Japanese ceremonial dress.

The four-time Grand Slam champion wore the custom-made outfit before her opening-round victory over Elsa Jacquemot, using Wimbledon’s famous all-white dress code as inspiration rather than a limitation. The elegant look celebrated her Japanese roots while respecting one of tennis’ oldest traditions.

Speaking after her victory, Osaka said the idea came from thinking about Wimbledon and her own cultural identity.

“When I think about...

China secretly trained Russian military personnel in radiological, biological and chemical warfare under a programme approved by senior Russian defence officials, according to classified documents and European officials cited by Reuters.

The report alleges that around 200 Russian troops took part in specialised training at Chinese military facilities in late 2025, including a three-week course in Beijing covering chemical reconnaissance, radiation protection and contamination defence. Some of the soldiers are believed to have later been deployed to the war in Ukraine.

Reuters reported that the programme was authorised by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and involved several senior...

The passport of Uzbekistan has retained its position at 123rd out of 197 countries and territories in the 2026 Global Passport Index published by Global Citizen Solutions. The republic remains in the exact same spot it held in the previous year’s rankings indicating a period of stability for the nation’s global mobility status.

While the overall ranking remained static, the report provided a detailed breakdown of the passport’s strength across several specific metrics. Uzbekistan was placed 89th for investment attractiveness, 119th for quality of life, 129th for freedom of movement.

Currently, holders of an Uzbek passport enjoy visa-free access...

Uzbekistan is preparing to take part in extensive mourning events across Iran and Iraq to honour Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

According to a source within the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a formal state delegation will depart for Iran on July 3. The group will be headed by Nuriddin Ismoilov, the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. They will join government representatives from over 30 nations and religious dignitaries from more than 90 countries who are gathering to pay their final respects.

A transnational schedule of mourning

Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian...

Vera Wang has long been celebrated for her seemingly ageless appearance and her trademark waist-length raven locks. However the iconic fashion designer has recently unveiled a dramatic hair transformation that has left her looking completely unrecognisable to even her most dedicated followers.

Taking to social media to share her latest look, the style maven proved that she is never afraid to switch things up and push the boundaries of her personal aesthetic.

A dramatic departure from her signature look

For decades Wang’s sleek, dark and incredibly long hair has been an integral part of her signature image. Whether...

Instead of booking a standard romantic venue, a pair of Russian urban explorers decided to celebrate their engagement 443 metres above Manhattan. The illicit stunt atop the Empire State Building’s antenna on Wednesday resulted in a marriage proposal, a political statement and their swift arrest.

Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33, who gained global notoriety through their 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, managed to evade the landmark’s stringent security protocols. Dressed in black athletic wear with Nikolau sporting her signature feline-inspired headpiece, the couple ascended to the very tip of the skyscraper’s spire.

Once secured near...

The Indian government has demanded that WhatsApp justify and immediately suspend the launch of its new username feature. A recently reviewed official letter reveals that this intervention in the messaging app’s largest market is part of an escalating campaign against digital anonymity that recently targeted Telegram.

Meta announced earlier this week that it was gradually introducing the username update worldwide. The tool allows individuals to secure a unique handle and communicate without revealing their mobile numbers. However, a government directive dated July 1 has given the tech giant just three days to respond and explicitly banned the feature’s release...

The world’s most watched live music event is extending its reach to North America. Officials announced on Wednesday that Canada will officially send an act to the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. This historic move makes the nation the first new competitor to join the roster since Australia was invited to participate in 2015.

While the 70-year-old contest is famous for its European roots, participation is actually governed by membership in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Because Canada was formally inducted into the broadcasting network last week, the country immediately became eligible to enter the fray.

A hungry transatlantic...

Two days of indirect diplomacy between the United States and Iran have wrapped up in Qatar with little evidence of a breakthrough toward a permanent ceasefire. Instead of forging new agreements, the delegations concentrated on logistical hurdles regarding unblocking Iranian assets and securing maritime routes, matters supposedly settled in a preliminary pact announced a fortnight ago.

According to the Qatari Foreign Ministry, further dialogue is paused until after the July 9 burial of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A Qatari spokesperson took to social media to describe the recent summit as building upon previous Swiss negotiations and...

BTS member V has issued a polite but firm request to fans asking them to respect his privacy and refrain from gathering outside his hotel accommodations during the band’s ongoing “Arirang” world tour.

The global music icon shared his candid thoughts via a temporary Weverse Moment post on Wednesday. While taking care to express his deep appreciation for the group’s dedicated fanbase, known as Army, V explained that the constant presence of crowds at his lodgings is taking a toll and actively impacting his ability to perform.

To highlight the physical strain of the situation he shared a screenshot of...

South Korean actor and prominent Astro band member Cha Eunwoo has embraced Catholicism. His management agency, Fantagio, confirmed on Wednesday that the star was baptised last month while fulfilling his mandatory military duties, The Korea herald reports.

During a June ceremony held at a military Catholic church, the entertainer adopted the baptismal name John the Apostle. Under South Korean military regulations, conscripted soldiers are granted the freedom to attend various religious services voluntarily during their weekend downtime or public holidays. This policy allows active personnel to explore different faiths and attend places of worship regardless of any previous religious...

Uzbekistan and Georgia set a bold target to increase their bilateral trade volume to $1 bn, moving away from current levels of $268 mln. The ambitious economic milestone is to be achieved through enhanced industrial partnership, strategic investments and the optimization of regional transport networks.

The framework for this expansion was established during the Uzbek-Georgian Business Forum held in Tbilisi on July 1, 2026. The high-profile event, which brought together roughly 300 delegates from government bodies, financial bodies, industry groups and private businesses, was held just ahead of the first official state visit by Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Artificial intelligence chatbots posing as religious leaders are raising fresh concerns after researchers found that some systems offered dangerous moral guidance, including suggesting that killing could be justified in certain circumstances. Experts warn the rapid rise of so-called “AI godbots” could expose vulnerable users to harmful or extremist advice.

Researchers who tested AI-powered religious assistants found that while many provided thoughtful responses, others generated troubling answers when asked about ethical dilemmas. In some cases, the chatbots appeared to endorse violence if it was framed as a religious duty or divine command, highlighting the risks of relying on AI...