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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...

England manager Thomas Tuchel has called on FIFA to change the positioning of photographers during pre-match ceremonies after saying they spoiled an emotional moment before England’s World Cup opener against Croatia.

Tuchel said a large group of photographers blocked his view of the England players as they sang “God Save The King” before kickoff at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The German coach described the occasion as a special moment and urged FIFA to review its arrangements for future matches.

England went on to defeat Croatia 4-2 in their opening Group L match, with goals from Harry Kane, Jude...

A Moroccan woman was reportedly arrested at an airport after posting a negative review of her holiday in Saudi Arabia on social media.

According to reports, Yass Naubelle was detained by border authorities while attempting to leave the country after publishing a video criticising aspects of her travel experience. The video allegedly contained complaints about local services and conditions she encountered during her stay.

The arrest has sparked debate online about freedom of expression and the risks travellers may face when publicly criticising destinations they visit. Saudi Arabia has strict cybercrime and public-order laws, and authorities have previously...

Rex Heuermann, the man behind New York’s notorious Gilgo Beach serial killings, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after admitting to the murders of eight women.

The 62-year-old former architect pleaded guilty in April to killing seven women and confessed to an eighth murder as part of a plea agreement. The victims, most of whom were sex workers, were killed between 1993 and 2010, with several of their remains discovered near Gilgo Beach on Long Island.

During sentencing in Riverhead, New York, relatives of the victims delivered emotional statements, condemning Heuermann and...

A former critic of England midfielder Jude Bellingham has admitted he was wrong about the Real Madrid star after witnessing his recent performances for the national team.

The pundit said he had previously been concerned by Bellingham’s body language and emotional reactions on the pitch, including frequent gestures toward teammates and officials. However, he has since revised his opinion, arguing that the midfielder’s passion and competitive drive are key elements of his game.

Bellingham has faced scrutiny in recent months over his on-field demeanor, but teammates and former players have repeatedly defended him. England veteran Jordan Henderson recently...

U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed a landmark memorandum designed to pave the way for lasting peace between Washington and Tehran.

According to reports from the BBC the preliminary agreement was officially formalised in Versailles following a high-level meeting between the American leader and French President Emmanuel Macron.

“It is signed. Signed in Versailles. I just signed it,” Trump announced shortly after the meeting.

A 14-point framework

Prior to putting pen to paper the U.S. president issued a stark warning that American military strikes could quickly resume if...

Apple is preparing to increase the retail prices of its devices as the cost of essential memory chips continues to soar. Outgoing chief executive Tim Cook informed The Wall Street Journal that consumer price hikes are now unavoidable because the financial pressures surrounding component procurement have reached an unsustainable level.

It remains unclear exactly when the new pricing structures will be implemented or which specific gadgets will bear the brunt of the changes. Industry observers are also waiting to see whether the highly anticipated iPhone 18 will be affected when it is officially unveiled this September.

The impact...

Uzbekistan Airports has signed a public-private partnership agreement to construct a brand new aviation hub in the capital region. The company’s press service confirmed that a consortium spearheaded by the Saudi Arabian firm Vision Invest will act as the primary project partner.

Under the terms of the new agreement the development duties will be shared between the government and the international consortium. The foreign investors will take charge of constructing and subsequently managing the main passenger terminal alongside its adjacent forecourt. Conversely the state will retain full responsibility for the construction and long-term operation of the core airfield infrastructure.

Uzbekistan national team head coach Fabio Cannavaro has expressed immense pride in his players following their 3-1 defeat to Colombia in their opening World Cup fixture. Speaking at the post-match press conference the Italian manager highlighted his squad’s resilience and their ability to adapt during a highly challenging encounter against top-tier South American opposition.

A game of two halves

Despite the disappointing final scoreline Cannavaro was eager to focus on the positive aspects of his team’s performance. He noted a marked tactical improvement after the interval as Uzbekistan attempted to claw their way back into the match.

The 39-year-old American Olympic medallist and former world champion Jenny Simpson has been hospitalised following a sudden medical emergency at a community athletics meet in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The incident occurred on Tuesday while the retired athlete was acting as a pacemaker for a mile race organised by Sir Walter Running. According to local media reports Simpson collapsed on the track and required immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Bystanders and medical staff also utilised an automated external defibrillator before she was safely transported to a nearby hospital.

Praise for emergency responders

On Wednesday the Sir Walter Running team released an...

Daveigh Chase, who enchanted a generation of children as the voice of Disney’s Lilo and haunted filmgoers as a terrifying horror villain, has passed away at the age of 35. The former child star died in Los Angeles on Tuesday following severe medical complications.

The heartbreaking news was initially brought to light by TMZ after receiving a statement from her partner. He disclosed that the 35-year-old had contracted meningitis alongside a fatal blood infection. These complications arose shortly after she was admitted to a local hospital for extreme malnutrition earlier this month.

Speaking directly to the New York Times...

Colombia have launched their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group K fixture. Despite a resilient defensive display from the Asian side and a spirited second-half equaliser, the South Americans’ attacking quality ultimately proved too much in a match filled with intense physical battles, woodwork strikes and late drama.

The match began with Colombia immediately establishing dominance over possession. The South Americans confidently shifted the ball across the pitch to probe a deep and heavily populated Uzbekistan defence orchestrated by head coach Fabio Cannavaro.

The opening stages were highly physical and punctuated by frequent...

Felix, a prominent member of the South Korean music group Stray Kids, has been selected to lead an international campaign promoting traditional Korean attire. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed on Wednesday that the artist will front the latest iteration of the government-backed “Hanbok Wave” initiative.

Now entering its seventh consecutive year the cultural programme collaborates with five small and medium-sized manufacturers to create bespoke traditional garments for high-profile celebrities. The core aim is to showcase the unique aesthetics of the hanbok to a widespread international audience.

As part of the upcoming promotional drive striking images of...

The United States and Uzbekistan have officially launched a joint investment platform designed to foster strategic capital allocation and significantly expand bilateral cooperation in the realm of export financing.

The foundational agreement was signed by key financial representatives from both nations. The American delegation was led by U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Chief Executive Ben Black and U.S. Export-Import Bank Chairman John Jovanovic. Representing Uzbekistan were Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov alongside Shukhrat Vafaev who serves as the executive director of the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan.

Strengthening regional corridors

The newly...

Tensions are reportedly mounting within Red Bull as Max Verstappen has yet to officially commit his future to the Formula 1 giants. According to emerging reports from the Netherlands the team’s senior management is growing increasingly anxious over their star driver’s next move.

Leading Dutch motorsport journalist Erik van Haren claims that Red Bull executives are still waiting for a firm declaration of loyalty. While Verstappen recently attempted to play down a visit to the team’s Austrian headquarters, it is understood that he stopped short of confirming whether he intends to see out the remainder of his current contract.

Television broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with cancer. The 66-year-old shared the deeply personal news during an episode of the recently released fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm which became available to viewers on Wednesday.

While the exact date of the filming remains unspecified the latest series was shot across 2024 and 2025. In emotional scenes the presenter is shown informing his agricultural colleagues Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland of his condition leaving both men visibly stunned.

A shocking health update

Although Jeremy Clarkson did not explicitly name the exact type of cancer he...

Pledis Entertainment confirmed on Tuesday that Seventeen members The8 and Vernon are joining forces to launch a brand new musical subunit named V8. The duo is scheduled to release their inaugural extended play, also titled V8, on June 29.

This latest venture marks the sixth official subunit to emerge from the popular South Korean boy band. They follow in the footsteps of previous successful pairings and groups including BSS, Jeonghan x Wonwoo, Hoshi x Woozi, S.Coups x Mingyu and DK x Seungkwan.

Musical themes and star collaborations

According to the management agency the upcoming eight-track EP will delve deeply...

The Uzbekistan National Investment Fund (UzNIF) is initiating preparations for the initial public offering of the state carrier Uzbekistan Airways. This was recently reported by Bloomberg following statements from Marius Dan who serves as the chief executive of Franklin Templeton Central Asia.

To facilitate the upcoming public listing the fund will begin the process of selecting equity capital market consultants this June. These appointed financial advisors will assist the national airline as well as several other prominent state businesses currently held within the wider UzNIF portfolio.

It emerged in mid-June that the government plans to float up to...