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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...

McDonald’s is rolling out a revised recipe for its McCrispy Strips across the country following widespread customer feedback that the chicken tenders lacked adequate crunch.

The fast-food chain quietly updated the breading to create a crispier exterior texture. This culinary change addresses direct criticism from diners who found the previous iteration disappointing when compared to the brand’s historically popular and now-discontinued Chicken Selects.

When McDonald’s reintroduced its highly anticipated Snack Wrap last year after a nearly decade-long hiatus, executives replaced the original Chicken Selects with the newly developed McCrispy Strips.

While fast-food fans celebrated the wrap’s triumphant return to...

Construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway is accelerating, bringing one of Central Asia’s most significant transport projects closer to reality and promising a faster overland freight route between China, Central Asia and Europe.

The 532-kilometre railway will connect Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang region with Andijan in eastern Uzbekistan via Kyrgyzstan. The project, backed by $4.7 bn in financing finalised in late 2025, is expected to reduce reliance on northern routes through Russia while strengthening the region’s role in Eurasian trade. Construction officially began in late 2024 and has entered an active phase, with thousands of workers and heavy...

South Korean prosecutors have filed the country’s first criminal case involving the use of AI-powered smart glasses to cheat on a national qualification exam, as authorities move to curb the misuse of emerging wearable technology.

The suspect, a man in his 40s, was caught during a fire protection engineer certification exam in Gwangju after an invigilator noticed an unusual light reflecting from his smart glasses. Investigators said the man admitted developing an AI application that displayed answers through the glasses while taking the test. He has been charged with violating the National Technical Qualifications Act.

The case follows...

UFC President Dana White believes Conor McGregor is not ready to retire despite suffering a devastating knee injury during his long-awaited comeback at UFC 329.

McGregor’s return against Max Holloway lasted just 69 seconds before he injured his knee after landing awkwardly from a jumping kick. The former two-division champion later confirmed he will undergo surgery but insisted he intends to complete the final fight of his UFC contract rather than end his career.

Speaking after the event, White said he had not heard McGregor discuss retirement and suggested fighters usually know when they are ready to walk...

House of the Dragon may be bringing back one of the most significant Targaryen characters omitted from the series, as Season 3, Episode 4 strongly hints that Queen Helaena Targaryen is pregnant. The development suggests the possible introduction of Prince Maelor Targaryen, who had previously been excluded from the HBO adaptation.

Maelor plays a crucial role in George R.R. Martin‘s Fire & Blood, where his tragic fate becomes a key turning point in the Targaryen civil war. Martin previously criticised the show’s decision to remove the character, arguing that it weakened Helaena’s storyline and later emotional arc.

The...

England captain Harry Kane has played down suggestions of a rift between manager Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham, insisting the coach’s criticism is intended to push the team to improve rather than create division.

The debate followed England’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals, when Tuchel publicly criticised his side’s performance despite reaching the last four. Bellingham, who scored both goals, defended the team’s display, pointing to the difficult weather conditions and the quality of Norway’s attack.

Speaking before the semi-final against Argentina, Kane backed Tuchel’s approach, saying the England boss “just wants to...

Hungary’s parliament has approved a constitutional amendment that will remove President Tamas Sulyok from office, marking one of the most significant political reforms since Prime Minister Peter Magyar‘s government replaced Viktor Orban earlier this year.

The amendment, adopted by a vote of 139 to 6, enables parliament to elect a new head of state and introduces a series of reforms aimed at dismantling institutions established during Orban’s 16 years in power. The package also includes judicial reforms, anti-corruption measures and term limits for lawmakers.

Sulyok, an Orban ally appointed in 2024, has refused calls to resign and now...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been reported to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over allegations that his conduct during the 2026 FIFA World Cup may have breached the organisation’s principles of political neutrality.

The complaint, filed by human rights group FairSquare, centres on claims that political influence played a role in overturning a suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun following intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump. FairSquare also raised concerns over Infantino’s broader relationship with Trump and questioned whether FIFA’s political neutrality rules had been compromised.

FIFA has denied any improper involvement, stating that the decision to...