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Shakira found herself at the center of an unexpected online controversy after performing at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City. While the singer’s rendition of the tournament’s official anthem «Dai Dai» alongside Burna Boy drew global attention, much of the discussion on social media focused on claims that a body double had appeared on stage instead of the Colombian star.

The speculation began shortly after the ceremony at Estadio Azteca, with some viewers arguing that Shakira looked noticeably different due to her hairstyle, sunglasses and stage outfit. The theory quickly spread across...

Mexico’s historic opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was overshadowed by violent clashes between protesters and police outside the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, raising security concerns on the tournament’s first day. Authorities reported that groups of demonstrators hurled rocks, bottles and other objects at security forces near the stadium, prompting riot police to intervene and make multiple arrests.

The unrest came amid broader protests across the Mexican capital, where teachers, families of missing persons and other activist groups have been demonstrating over social and economic issues. Several marches were planned to coincide with the World Cup...

Mexico’s historic opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was overshadowed by violent clashes between protesters and police outside the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, raising security concerns on the tournament’s first day. Authorities reported that groups of demonstrators hurled rocks, bottles and other objects at security forces near the stadium, prompting riot police to intervene and make multiple arrests.

The unrest came amid broader protests across the Mexican capital, where teachers, families of missing persons and other activist groups have been demonstrating over social and economic issues. Several marches were planned to coincide with the...

FIFA has come under scrutiny after television broadcasts showed thousands of empty seats during one of the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup, raising questions about ticket pricing and fan attendance. Despite FIFA reporting a near-capacity crowd of 44,985 spectators for the Group A match between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, large sections of unoccupied seats were visible to viewers around the world.

The images quickly sparked criticism on social media, with fans questioning how a World Cup fixture could appear sparsely attended so early in the tournament. Many pointed to rising ticket prices...

FIFA’s decision to introduce mandatory hydration breaks at every match of the 2026 World Cup has drawn criticism from fans and commentators, who argue that the stoppages are disrupting the flow of games and creating new opportunities for broadcasters to sell advertising.

Under the new rules, referees halt play around the 22nd minute of each half for a three-minute hydration break, regardless of weather conditions. FIFA says the measure is designed to protect player welfare amid concerns about high temperatures across host nations the United States, Canada and Mexico.

However, broadcasters in several countries have used the breaks...

David Hockney, the pioneering British artist whose vibrant depictions of sun-drenched Californian swimming pools made him a titan of contemporary art, has died at the age of 88. His publicist Erica Bolton confirmed his passing on Thursday in a statement, though no cause of death was provided.

Growing up in the notoriously grey climate of northern England, a young Hockney found himself mesmerised by the stark shadows in Laurel and Hardy films. He later recalled to the BBC that such strong, defined shadows implied intense sunlight, sparking a lifelong fascination with brightness. This yearning for light eventually drew him...

Uzbekistan has experienced a significant influx of Russian tourists during the first five months of 2026. According to official data provided to Kursiv Uzbekistan by the national Tourism Committee, 465,800 Russian tourists travelled to the country between January and May.

This figure represents a striking 30% increase compared to the same timeframe last year when 334,200 Russian citizens visited the republic.

The May holiday boost

The upward trajectory in visitor numbers was particularly pronounced during the traditional May public holidays. A closer look at the monthly data highlights a sharp year-on-year rise in spring arrivals from the Russian Federation.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia to bolster their fiscal policies to improve economic resilience and support sustainable long-term growth.

According to the recently published IMF report Rethinking Fiscal Policy and Fiscal Frameworks in the Caucasus and Central Asia, state budgets and fiscal strategies have played a pivotal role in the economic transformation of the region since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

State dominance and economic vulnerability

Despite a history of regional reforms, analysts note that the public sector and state-owned enterprises continue to dominate the economies of...

Uzbekistan has launched its inaugural “Open Tourist Season”, a comprehensive new programme designed to significantly increase the influx of international holidaymakers. Initiated in early June and scheduled to run until August, the initiative was introduced under a recent decree by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev focused on the development of the Samarkand region.

Following this summer’s launch, authorities have confirmed that the promotional season will become an annual event.

Financial incentives

To rapidly stimulate the tourism industry, the Uzbek government has rolled out a series of highly lucrative financial incentives targeting both domestic and international travel businesses.

American entrepreneur Elon Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire following the highly anticipated initial public offering of his aerospace company SpaceX.

According to calculations published by Reuters, the billionaire’s personal stake in SpaceX is now valued at a staggering $866 bn. When combined with his existing assets in the electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, his total net worth has eclipsed $1.1 trn.

The historic wealth milestone was triggered after SpaceX floated 555.6 mln shares at $135 apiece. The monumental move generated $75 bn for the aerospace firm and firmly cemented its position as the largest IPO in corporate...

American pop sensation Ariana Grande has publicly demanded that President Donald Trump‘s administration stop using her music to soundtrack its political messaging.

The dispute ignited after the White House uploaded a TikTok video earlier this week to promote its hardline immigration policies. The clip features federal agents detaining and handcuffing individuals while Grande’s 2024 hit track “Bye” plays in the background.

A fiery exchange

Taking directly to the comments section of the official White House post on Thursday, the Grammy-winning artist expressed her outrage. She pleaded with the administration to never associate her work with what she described as...

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been handed a 30-year prison term by a Seoul court for his role in a covert military operation over North Korea. The Seoul Central District Court found the disgraced leader guilty of manufacturing a border crisis to justify his disastrous December 2024 martial law decree.

The judiciary convicted the former conservative president on severe charges of abusing his authority and aiding the enemy. According to official court documents Yoon was entirely complicit in planning the October 2024 drone incursions into Pyongyang from their inception. The verdict aligns perfectly with the penalty...

The Thai monarchy has confirmed the passing of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati. The eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn succumbed to severe health complications on Thursday evening at the age of 47.

Her death brings a deeply sorrowful end to a medical crisis that left the royal in a coma for nearly four years.

Known warmly across the nation as Princess Pa, she initially collapsed in December 2022. While carrying out duties in the northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province she suffered a sudden loss of consciousness linked to a severe cardiac issue. Following an emergency helicopter transfer to a specialist...

South Korean entertainment agency Belift Lab confirmed on Thursday that Evan, previously a member of the popular K-pop group Enhypen, has finalised the details for his solo debut.

The singer is scheduled to release his first digital single, titled Ride or Die, on June 22.

The upcoming release will feature two distinct tracks designed to showcase the artist’s versatility. According to his management, the songs will highlight contrasting elements of his personality and musical style, pitting a sharp and bold image against a calmer and more sophisticated aura.

Evan has taken significant creative control over his debut project. His contributions...

Mexico have successfully launched their 2026 World Cup campaign by securing a 2-0 victory against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The tournament hosts dictated the tempo for the vast majority of the opening fixture and fully capitalised on their dominance during an action-packed second half.

The home side began the match with intense energy and immediately placed South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams under heavy pressure. This relentless early approach yielded results within the opening ten minutes.

Following a swift interception by Alvaro Fidalgo deep in opposition territory, Julian Quinones drove toward the edge of the penalty...

South Korea mounted a spirited second-half comeback to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 in a tense 2026 World Cup group stage clash. The Asian side secured all three points after scoring a decisive goal with less than ten minutes remaining on the clock.

The first 45 minutes ended entirely goalless despite South Korea firmly dictating the tempo and maintaining possession. Attacking duo Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in both managed to carve out dangerous opportunities but were repeatedly thwarted by a highly resolute performance from Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar.

Czechs strike against the run of play

Following the interval the...

The opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place in Mexico City, with the show at the iconic Estadio Azteca blending live music, Mexican cultural traditions, and a symbolic handover to what is set to become the largest tournament in football history.

The evening’s headline performers were Shakira and Burna Boy, who debuted the official 2026 World Cup anthem, Dai Dai. For Shakira, the performance marked another return to football’s biggest stage, where she remains closely associated with the World Cup thanks to her hit song Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).

Other...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially kick off with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The tournament hosts will take the field backed by tens of thousands of home supporters. Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre has entrusted veteran striker Raul Jimrnez to lead the attack, while South Africa manager Hugo Broos has opted for the forward partnership of Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners.

Kickoff is scheduled for midnight Tashkent time.

Mexico (4-1-4-1)

Raul Rangel — Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo — Erik Lira — Roberto...

The Pentagon was briefly placed under lockdown on Thursday after a potential air quality issue triggered emergency safety protocols and prompted employees in several areas to shelter in place. Authorities later confirmed that no hazardous materials were present and that the incident was a false alarm.

The alert affected multiple corridors and floors of the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Hazardous materials teams from local fire departments and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency were dispatched to investigate the situation.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said building monitoring systems had detected a possible air quality issue, prompting...

Thousands of people took to the streets of Tirana on Wednesday in the largest demonstration so far against a luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. Protesters voiced concerns about the environmental impact of the planned development and demanded greater transparency from the Albanian government.

The proposed resort would be built on Sazan Island and along parts of Albania’s southern coastline. Backers of the project say it could boost tourism and attract billions of dollars in investment, while critics argue it threatens sensitive ecosystems and protected habitats.

Environmental groups have warned...

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is preparing to make its highly anticipated debut on Wall Street, with the company set to begin trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol SPCX. The offering is expected to be the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history.

SpaceX has priced its shares at $135 each and aims to raise $75 bn, giving the company an estimated valuation of about $1.75 trillion. If successful, the IPO would surpass previous records and rank SpaceX among the most valuable publicly traded companies in the United States.

The company, founded by Elon Musk, is best known...

A federal judge is considering whether to block President Donald Trump’s planned UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House, following a lawsuit filed by local residents and a public-interest advocacy group. The case centers on the legality of hosting a major sporting event at the presidential residence and the construction of a large octagon-shaped arena on federal property.

The event, known as «UFC Freedom 250,» is scheduled for June 14 and is expected to coincide with celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and Trump’s 80th birthday. Organisers plan to host several fights...

The ambassadors of France, Germany and the United Kingdom met senior Russian officials in Moscow on Thursday as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to advance ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine. The talks were held at Russia’s Foreign Ministry and marked a rare high-level contact between Western diplomats and Russian authorities.

The meeting followed a summit in London earlier this week, where French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in supporting direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow aimed at ending more than four years of war.

According to...

Reality TV personality and former glamour model Katie Price has refused to pay £140,000 to secure the release of her husband, Lee Andrews, who is currently being held in a Dubai prison over a civil legal dispute.

According to reports, Price initially believed Andrews could be released after paying a much smaller sum, but later learned that authorities required £140,000 due to a separate ongoing legal case. Despite Andrews allegedly urging her to raise the money, including through a crowdfunding campaign, Price has declined. She said she would «never give a man money» and insisted she has always...