News

An unexpected physical injury to actor Ryan Hurst has forced the production team behind Amazon’s upcoming live-action “God of War” series to search for a new lead to play Kratos.

The setback occurred during filming in June, halting progress on the highly anticipated adaptation of the popular PlayStation franchise. The streaming platform had previously offered audiences a sneak peek of Hurst in character back in February. Now, directors must replace him and reshoot all completed footage involving Callum Vinson, the young actor cast as Kratos’ son, Atreus.

While Hurst possesses prior experience in this fictional universe, having provided the...

Opta’s supercomputer forecasts a Spanish victory in the upcoming 2026 World Cup final with a 56.05% probability, leaving defending champions Argentina with a 43.95% chance of retaining their title.

The teams will face off on July 20 at midnight Tashkent time. Argentine forward Lionel Messi acknowledged the difficulty of the impending fixture, noting his familiarity with the European squad as many of its members play for Barcelona.

The nations last met in a major international tournament 60 years ago when Argentina secured a 2-1 victory. Their historical rivalry also includes 13 friendly encounters, resulting in six wins...

Tajikistan’s foreign trade turnover reached $6.8 bn during the first six months of 2026, marking a 42.8% increase compared with the same period last year, according to official statistics.

The sharp growth reflects stronger export and import activity as the country continues to expand trade with both regional and international partners. Recent data also indicate that Tajikistan has strengthened trade with non-CIS countries while maintaining active economic ties with neighbouring Central Asian states.

The latest figures come amid broader economic momentum. International institutions expect Tajikistan’s economy to remain one of the fastest-growing in the region in...

OnePlus has confirmed its departure from the U.S. and European markets, halting all future product launches across both major regions.

Parent company Oppo pledged to honour existing warranty agreements and provide continued software updates for current device owners. James Paterson, Oppo’s senior PR manager in Europe, stated that after-sale care will remain completely intact. While Oppo will continue selling its own electronics in Europe, the corporation will have no physical presence in the U.S. moving forward.

To maintain software support, existing OnePlus smartphones will migrate from OxygenOS to Oppo’s ColorOS in the coming months. Oppo Europe CEO Elvis Zhou...

A new report from the Social Policy Laboratory indicates that 33.2% of Uzbekistan’s youth, aged 14 to 30, fall into the NEET category, meaning they are neither employed nor engaged in education or training. This figure highlights systemic barriers that prevent young people from transitioning successfully into the labour market.

Current data from the recent census reveals that Uzbekistan is home to approximately 9.6 mln young people in the 14–30 age demographic. This population consists of roughly 4.9 mln males and 4.7 mln females.

Across the broader youth population, 36.1% are currently employed, while 30.7% are pursuing education or...

Raymond Vermeulen, the manager for four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, has dismissed mounting speculation regarding the driver’s future. He insists the Dutchman remains fully committed to Red Bull for the duration of his current agreement.

Questions about the driver’s tenure have surged during a challenging season for the Milton Keynes-based squad. Verstappen, now in his 11th year with the team, appears to be facing his most difficult campaign since his arrival. The British Grand Prix proved particularly taxing after a recurring failure with the RB22’s novel rotating rear wing caused him to crash out in the gravel.

During a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”, Zendaya offered fans a behind-the-scenes look at the unexpected way she secured her role as Athena in Christopher Nolan’s latest epic, “The Odyssey”.

While the actress had long been a fervent admirer of the director’s work, she explained that the opportunity initially arrived through her partner, Tom Holland, who had already been cast in the production. Zendaya recalled that Holland had brought the script home, and while he was away at a meeting, she took the opportunity to read the screenplay.

A surprising casting revelation

The actress noted...

The National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change has announced an extensive reforestation programme targeting Tashkent and its surrounding districts by 2045. The initiative aims to establish over 58,000 hectares of protective forest cover.

Central to this strategy is the “Green Belt” project, which involves planting more than 50 mln trees and shrubs. Planners are prioritising drought-resistant species capable of capturing airborne dust, setting a rigorous survival rate target of at least 85% for all new plantings. This initiative follows a directive from the President of Uzbekistan, building on the 1.35 mln trees already planted in the capital between...

A towering 26-metre statue of Lionel Messi became the focal point for celebrations in Patagonia as Argentina secured their place in Sunday’s World Cup final. The national team came from behind to defeat long-time rivals England 2-1 in Atlanta.

A crowd of approximately 300 locals in the Neuquen province town of Cutral Co watched the semi-final broadcast beneath the monument. The community of 40,000 relies heavily on the nearby Vaca Muerta shale gas and oil reserves. As the final whistle blew, fireworks exploded around the statue’s head and thousands more rushed to join the festivities.

Artist Aldo Beroisa designed...

The American entertainment industry has lost a familiar face. Hal Williams, the seasoned actor who anchored beloved network comedies during the 1970s and 1980s, has passed away at the age of 91. Representatives for the television star confirmed his death.

Audiences widely recognise Williams for his central role on the NBC hit “227”. Over the course of 116 episodes broadcast between 1985 and 1990, he portrayed Lester Jenkins. His character served as the patriarch of a family living in a bustling apartment complex alongside his on-screen wife Mary, played by Marla Gibbs, and their daughter Brenda, portrayed by Regina...

The Uzbekistan Football Association has confirmed that Fabio Cannavaro will remain the manager of the national team despite a winless 2026 World Cup campaign.

UFA First Vice-President Ravshan Irmatov ended recent public speculation surrounding the Italian coach’s future by clarifying that Cannavaro’s contract runs until October 2027.

Irmatov noted that internal analytical groups have been assessing the team’s performance since the tournament concluded. Following a brief holiday period for the coaching staff, the management team will resume player selection and training preparations in late July.

The official endorsement follows a difficult summer where Uzbekistan lost all of their World...

Big Hit Music has released a teaser for “Normal”, an upcoming music video from BTS’s latest studio album “Arirang”, ahead of its exclusive Spotify premiere this Friday.

The music video will debut on the audio streaming platform at 1 p.m. KST on July 17. The release coincides with the launch of three new audio versions of the alternative pop track, including an instrumental and a Korean-language edition that the band previously debuted during a live concert in Busan. A wider video release on the Hybe Labels YouTube channel will follow at 1 p.m. KST on July 19.

To build...

Law enforcement officers in Turkey have apprehended a pair of holidaymakers from Moscow. The travellers are currently awaiting possible expulsion from the country following an incident where the husband brought out a Christian scripture at one of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks, “Ostorozhno, novosti” reports.

Igor F., 32, and his wife Victoria, 35, landed in the city on July 13 for a getaway. While touring the upper floors of the Hagia Sophia, an area specifically designated as a museum space for international visitors, the man pulled out a personal copy of the Bible. Guards swiftly converged on the duo and...

The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a new initiative to strengthen digital urban planning in Uzbekistan by equipping government specialists with advanced skills in geospatial technologies and digital planning tools. The programme aims to improve evidence-based decision-making and support the country’s ongoing urban development reforms.

The training brings together representatives from national and local government institutions responsible for urban planning, land management and public services. Participants are learning to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial data analysis and digital mapping technologies to enhance city planning, infrastructure development and public service delivery.

The...

Lawmakers in Uzbekistan have passed a bill in its first reading that introduces administrative liability for foreign nationals and stateless individuals working in the country without official authorisation.

The proposed legislation penalises those who secure employment without a valid work permit or engage in roles that do not match the specific job approved in their existing documentation.

Under the new framework, the State Labour Inspectorate, internal affairs bodies and local courts will hold the authority to review these violations and enforce penalties.

Officials attribute the legislative update to a recent influx of foreign citizens entering the republic. This demographic...

The international Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature has officially named two asteroids after Uzbek scientists Kamoliddin Ergashev and Otabek Burkhonov.

The Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan confirmed the global registry will now recognise the celestial bodies as (131358) Kamolergashev and (121339) Otabekburkhonov. The decision was published in the latest WGSBN bulletin. Czech astronomers originally discovered both objects at the Ondřejov Observatory long before these permanent designations were assigned.

Researchers first spotted Kamolergashev in May 2001 under the technical index 2001 KA2. The second asteroid was identified in October 1999 as 1999 TO15. Their newly approved titles will now...

An anomalous heatwave is set to scorch Uzbekistan starting this Friday, July 17. Temperatures are forecast to reach a blistering 45 degrees Celsius in Tashkent and remain at that level for at least three consecutive days. In several regions, the mercury is expected to peak at 46 degrees.

In response to the looming extreme weather, the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan released an official safety infographic, outlining essential survival rules for the public.

The health ministry explicitly warns that certain demographics face higher risks during severe heat. This includes adults over 65, infants, pregnant women and individuals suffering from...

OpenAI is developing its first consumer hardware product, a portable screenless smart speaker designed to serve as an interactive artificial intelligence companion.

The new device will function as a home computer powered by an advanced version of ChatGPT Voice Mode known as GPT-Live. This upgraded software enables the machine to process information rapidly, listen while speaking simultaneously and adapt naturally during conversations.

Internally pitched as a computer built for the AI era, the gadget will control smart home appliances, play media, answer questions and manage messages. It features a built-in camera alongside environmental sensors to understand a user’s surroundings and...

Samsung is preparing to unveil its latest generation of foldable devices at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22. Recent leaks have provided a comprehensive look at the new hardware, confirming that the company plans to release two distinct book-style foldables: the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and a redesigned base model known as the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra specifications

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is positioned as the direct successor to the previous generation, retaining a familiar design while incorporating significant internal hardware improvements. Leaks indicate that the...

U.S. senators introduced a revised Russia sanctions bill on July 14 that softens proposed trade restrictions for nations purchasing Russian oil and natural gas.

The legislation, initially championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham more than a year ago, now features 26 co-sponsors. Graham previously visited Uzbekistan in 2005 and 2011. Congressional aides expressed confidence that the updated document will pass the Senate.

Tariff reductions and regional exemptions

According to Reuters, the revised draft significantly lowers the maximum tariffs for third-party countries buying Russian energy. While the original framework demanded a 500% penalty, lawmakers reduced the maximum rate...

China has secured Russia’s backing to establish the long-proposed Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Development Bank in Central Asia.

The Wall Street Journal reports the new financial institution will use the yuan as its primary currency. Moscow blocked the initiative for more than a decade to prevent Chinese economic expansion into its traditional sphere of influence. However, Russia recently compromised in exchange for guarantees that the bank will operate independently of Western sanctions.

Russia previously relied on the Eurasian Development Bank to manage regional investments. While Moscow originally controlled 66% of the EDB, it reduced its stake to 44.8% in...

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev travelled to Qatar on July 14 to attend mourning ceremonies for the former Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died on July 12 aged 74.

During the visit, Mirziyoyev met with the current ruler, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

“Sheikh Hamad Al Thani was a political figure who made an immense contribution to the historical achievements of the State of Qatar, large-scale creative work, dynamic socio-economic reforms and the strengthening of the country’s international authority,” Mirziyoyev’s press service said in a statement.

The two men also discussed...

American YouTube personality IShowSpeed experienced a comedic clash of worlds during the Spain versus France World Cup semi-final when two European billionaires approached him for a selfie, an interaction highlighted in a social media post.

During his live broadcast from the VIP hospitality section at the Munich Football Arena, the internet star was stopped by Banco Santander Executive Chairman Ana Botin and Mercadona President Juan Roig. Unaware of their immense corporate influence, the 19-year-old creator initially treated the high-profile executives as ordinary fans seeking a photograph.

The encounter quickly went viral across various social media platforms, highlighting the bizarre...

Global gaming icon Faker is teaming up with Tomorrow X Together band member Beomgyu for a pioneering television format. The high-profile duo will navigate a technologically advanced whodunit series called “Murder Club”, slated to drop on Disney+ on July 29.

This unscripted broadcast drops prominent South Korean public figures into a dynamic environment where everyone must simultaneously juggle the roles of lead detective and prime suspect. To succeed, the celebrity cast must master the arts of deception, rigorous logic and convincing acting to successfully unmask the hidden criminal among them.

What sets this production apart from standard reality programming...