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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...

The war for the Iron Throne is set to escalate further in Episode 3 of House of the Dragon Season 3, with HBO’s latest teaser hinting at new political manoeuvres, shifting alliances and fresh battles following the dramatic events of Episode 2.

After reclaiming King’s Landing, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen now faces the challenge of consolidating power while dealing with growing unrest inside the capital. The newly released trailer suggests that victory has not brought stability, as tensions continue to rise among both the Blacks and the Greens.

The preview also indicates that Alicent Hightower is struggling with the...

Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié has become the second player to receive a red card under FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule after being sent off during his side’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32.

Hincapié was dismissed in stoppage time following a confrontation with Mexico forward Santiago Giménez. After a VAR review, the referee ruled that the Ecuador international had covered his mouth while addressing an opponent, triggering the tournament’s newly introduced disciplinary measure.

The regulation, approved by the International Football Association Board ahead of the tournament, allows referees to issue a straight red...

A British man who was previously jailed for killing his neighbour by blocking her gas flue with a potato has been found dead in his flat after police were alerted by viewers watching one of his livestreams.

Daniel James Long, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was discovered dead at his home in St Austell, Cornwall, after officers responded to concerns raised during the online broadcast. Emergency services confirmed his death at the scene, with no suspicious circumstances reported.

Long was convicted in 2015 of the manslaughter of his neighbour, Joanna Michael, after deliberately blocking the flue of...

Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia to join Pax Silica, a U.S.-led international technology initiative focused on artificial intelligence, secure supply chains and high-tech manufacturing. Officials say the move will strengthen the country’s role in the global digital economy while opening new opportunities for investment and technological cooperation.

The accession documents, along with a joint statement under the AI Opportunity Partnership, were signed in Washington on 25 June by Zhaslan Madiyev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Kazakhstan joins a group of countries that includes Australia, the United Kingdom...

A brief but carefully worded statement by Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly deepened divisions within the country’s political and military establishment, highlighting growing disagreements over Tehran’s approach to post-war diplomacy with the United States.

According to reports, the controversy centres on Khamenei’s use of the phrase “in principle” while endorsing a U.S.-brokered agreement following the recent conflict. Although he approved the deal, he added that he had held “a different opinion in principle”—a remark that has been interpreted in sharply different ways by competing factions within Iran’s leadership.

Some officials reportedly view the statement as a...

The Bank of England is considering introducing emergency “kill switches” and new regulatory safeguards to prevent autonomous artificial intelligence systems from triggering a financial market crisis, as concerns grow over the rapid adoption of AI in banking and trading.

Speaking at the European Central Bank’s annual forum in Sintra, Portugal, Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden warned that increasingly capable AI agents could amplify market volatility if they respond to shocks in the same way, potentially turning routine market stress into a wider financial meltdown.

Breeden said the Bank is assessing measures including market-wide circuit breakers, AI “kill switches” and...

The Administrative Court of Frankfurt am Main has ruled that there are no legal grounds to consider the Dilbar yacht to be the property of, or an asset controlled by, Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov.

The court found that the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) acted unlawfully when it refused to confirm that the yacht should not be treated as a frozen asset under European Union sanctions legislation.

According to a statement issued by Usmanov’s press office, the ruling removes any legal uncertainty regarding ownership of the Dilbar and refutes what it described as a false...

China has called on Russia and Ukraine to resume peace negotiations, urging both sides to demonstrate political will to bring the conflict to an end. The appeal came as Beijing faced renewed scrutiny over reports that it secretly trained Russian troops involved in the war.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative Sun Lei said Beijing “strongly” supports an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations, insisting that China remains committed to an “objective and impartial” position on the conflict.

The statement follows a Reuters investigation alleging that around 200 Russian soldiers received specialised...

Uzbekistan’s energy sector has recorded a notable contraction in raw material extraction during the first five months of 2026. According to the latest report from the National Statistics Agency, the nation’s domestic production of natural gas, oil and coal has fallen compared to the same period in 2025.

The statistics reveal that natural gas production between January and May 2026 totalled 15.8 bn cubic metres, marking a significant drop from the 18.4 bn cubic metres produced during the same timeframe last year. Similarly, oil extraction decreased from 270,800 tonnes to 261,900 tonnes, while coal production suffered the sharpest decline...

Turkish model and television personality Deniz Akkaya has responded to swirling rumours that she was recently taken into police custody. In a statement released to clear up the confusion, the star firmly denied the claims, clarifying that her involvement with the authorities is entirely as a plaintiff rather than a person of interest.

The speculation began circulating across social media platforms and news outlets earlier today, suggesting that the former model had been detained by law enforcement. Addressing these reports, Akkaya took to her digital channels to set the record straight for her followers and the public.

“I...

Acclaimed South Korean actor Namkoong Min is set to make his highly anticipated return to the KBS network after a seven-year absence, taking on the leading role in the upcoming weekend mini-series The Completion of Marriage.

The production team and star-studded cast gathered at The Saint venue in Sindorim, Seoul today to officially introduce the project. The launch event saw lead actors Namkoong Min, Lee Seol, Kim Dae-myung and Lee Sang-hee appear alongside director Kim Jeong-hyun.

Exploring the fragility of relationships

Director Kim shared insights into the central themes of the series, explaining how the script challenges traditional...

The Uzbekistan national football team touched down in Tashkent on July 1 to a warm and solemn welcome at the capital’s international airport. Fans and officials gathered to greet the squad following their debut performance at the 2026 World Cup.

Although the team suffered defeats in all three of their group stage matches against Colombia, Portugal and DR Congo, the atmosphere remained one of national pride. Prior to the team’s arrival, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev issued a powerful statement calling on citizens to rally behind the athletes rather than focus on the results.

A historic milestone

President Mirziyoyev described...

Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro has addressed the criticism surrounding his side’s winless World Cup campaign.

Following three consecutive defeats in the group stage, the Italian manager acknowledged that results were disappointing but argued that the tournament was far from a total failure for the national team.

Speaking to Championat.asia after returning from the competition, Cannavaro stated that he accepts the scrutiny directed at him and his squad. However, he stressed that the experience gained against elite global opposition was a necessary stepping stone for the future of Uzbek football.

A learning curve on global stage

Cannavaro pointed...

India captain Shreyas Iyer has signalled his intent to maintain team stability as his side prepares to face England in the opening match of a five-match T20I series today at Chester-le-Street. Following a disappointing 2-0 series defeat against Ireland, pressure has mounted to introduce 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into the playing XI.

However, Iyer remains reluctant to disrupt the opening combination of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, both of whom played integral roles in India’s T20 World Cup success earlier this year. Speaking on the eve of the first T20I, Iyer emphasised the importance of providing security and...

OnePlus expanded its smartphone lineup in India with the introduction of the N6, a device specifically engineered to address the modern consumer’s demand for long-lasting performance. By pairing high-end durability with a class-leading battery capacity, OnePlus is targeting budget-conscious users who require a dependable daily driver.

The defining feature of the OnePlus N6 is its colossal 8,000mAh battery. OnePlus asserts that this power cell can sustain up to three days of light usage on a single charge. To reduce downtime, the handset supports 45W SuperVOOC fast charging and introduces “Bypass Charging,” which directs power straight to the system during...

Players from the Uzbekistan national football team might be in line to receive 26 Chevrolet Malibu cars as a reward for their performances at the 2026 World Cup. The potential gift was recently hinted at by the sports publication Championat although official confirmation of the generous gesture has yet to be released.

The 2026 tournament marked a historic milestone for Uzbekistan as it was their first-ever appearance at the global football competition. The squad was drawn into Group K where they faced tough opposition from Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo.

The team’s campaign began with a 3-1 defeat against...

Defying the odds almost a week after twin earthquakes shattered Venezuela, a three-year-old boy has been pulled alive from the ruins in La Guaira state.

The dramatic rescue of Klieber Morán was captured on video as a Jordanian civil defence team cheered his extraction from the debris. Surviving well beyond the critical 72-hour window when experts believe rescues are most likely, the child received immediate on-site medical attention before being transferred to a hospital in Caracas. Officials have confirmed his vital signs are strong.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez called the boy’s survival a powerful symbol of hope for a...

The spectacular chip scored by Uzbekistan national team captain Eldor Shomurodov against DR Congo has been crowned the best goal of the 2026 World Cup group stage.

The award was decided following a poll conducted by world football’s governing body FIFA.
The forward produced the moment of magic after latching onto a pass from teammate Abbosbek Fayzullaev. Driving into a dangerous shooting position, Shomurodov demonstrated immense technical ability to expertly lift the ball over the advancing opposition goalkeeper and into the net.

This memorable strike instantly became a defining moment of Uzbekistan’s debut appearance at the global tournament. FIFA had...

The Middle Corridor, regional connectivity and energy security dominated discussions as policymakers, diplomats, business leaders and financial institutions gathered the 30th of June for the CPC London Summer Conference, with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan emerging as the central focus of the event.

Infrastructure takes centre stage

Speakers described the Greater Caspian region as an increasingly important strategic and economic hub, highlighting its role in global trade, critical minerals, energy security and sustainable infrastructure. Throughout the conference, participants stressed that stronger regional cooperation will be essential to supporting long-term economic growth and resilience.

Charles Norman, a Territorial...

Uzbekistan and the UNESCO leadership have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in education, artificial intelligence, creative industries and cultural heritage during talks at the organisation’s headquarters in Paris. The meeting took place between Uzbek officials and UNESCO Director-General Khaled Al-Anani.

According to a statement shared by Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, the discussions focused on implementing the outcomes of the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, held in Samarkand, and advancing joint initiatives across several priority areas. These included human capital development, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, support for creative industries, women’s leadership and the...

Central Asia is stepping up efforts to become a global hub for artificial intelligence services, with Uzbekistan leading a regional push to generate $5 bn in AI and IT service exports by 2030. Governments and industry leaders are investing in digital infrastructure, data centres and workforce development to capture growing global demand for AI-powered services.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, officials said the region aims to move beyond traditional outsourcing towards higher-value AI solutions, cloud computing and digital exports. Uzbekistan’s IT Park has already reported strong growth in service exports, while incentives for...