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Church authorities and cultural heritage officials in Italy have opened separate investigations following controversy around a restored fresco in central Rome.

The case concerns the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, where a cherub depicted on a wall painting was found to bear a striking resemblance to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The similarity became noticeable after recent restoration works were completed.

The Vicarate of Rome confirmed that Cardinal Baldassare Reina ordered an internal review. Church officials said they intend to establish how the image appeared and who may be responsible for the alteration.

Italy’s Superintendency for...

Gold markets saw a sharp correction this week after reaching historic highs. On January 29, April futures initially climbed to $5,626.8 per ounce before falling to $5,126.

The decline continued on Friday, with spot gold dropping 6.9% from the previous close to $5,001 per ounce. Analysts link the pullback to profit-taking and stronger dollar movements.

Despite the recent correction, gold has gained roughly 20% for January, marking its sixth consecutive month of growth. This increase comes amid persistent economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, and could be the largest monthly jump since 1982.

Market watchers also pointed to U.S...

The U.S. government announced it will suspend immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 nations starting January 21. The decision comes as part of an intensified effort to tighten immigration controls, a State Department spokesperson said.

Affected countries span Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Nations such as Brazil, Colombia, Albania, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan are included on the list. The pause will remain in place while policies and procedures are reviewed.

According to officials, the review aims to ensure applicants are fully screened and financially self-sufficient. The State Department cited...

The European Union is reportedly preparing sanctions against Kyrgyzstan for its role in facilitating trade that bypasses existing EU measures on Russia, Bloomberg reports.

The proposed measures could include restrictions on exporting machinery and certain radio equipment to Kyrgyzstan. This would mark the first use of the EU’s anti-circumvention mechanism against a third country.

In addition, the EU plans to tighten restrictions on Russian banks and oil firms. Services linked to cryptocurrencies and other financial entities that help Moscow avoid sanctions may also face limits.

The package may also introduce broader trade curbs, targeting companies and products used...

Air pollution levels in Uzbekistan worsened on January 29–30 due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, the Ecology Committee reported. Experts pointed to calm winds and the formation of a temperature inversion as key factors.

During the night and early morning, a cold air layer settled near the ground while warmer air remained above. This inversion trapped fine particulate matter close to the surface, keeping pollution concentrated in urban areas for hours.

Morning fog further aggravated the situation. High humidity during foggy conditions slows the dispersion of PM2.5 particles, increasing their concentration in the air and elevating pollution levels.

The...

A fire broke out at a household hygiene product factory in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea, on January 30, leaving one Uzbek worker missing. The blaze began around 2:56 p.m., though the cause remains under investigation.

The fire quickly spread to nearby production facilities. The plant produces wet wipes and baby diapers, and officials confirmed that no hazardous chemicals or dangerous materials were stored on site.

At the time of the incident, 83 employees were present. Emergency teams successfully evacuated 81 workers, but two employees—a Nepali and an Uzbek national—remain unaccounted for and are considered missing.

Strong...

Uzbekistan collected a record UZS 181 bn ($15 mln) in digital services taxes last year. The total reflects a sharp 50% increase compared with 2024, showing the country’s growing oversight of foreign tech activity. In total, 78 companies contributed, ranging from global platforms to emerging AI providers.

Apple led the payments with over $4 mln, followed closely by Meta and Google. AI company OpenAI also made a notable contribution of nearly $1 mln, signaling increased adoption of artificial intelligence tools in Uzbekistan. Other contributors included TikTok, Netflix, Amazon, Booking.com, and Xsolla.

Under Uzbek law, foreign firms offering electronic...

Uzbekistan has finalized a residential development in Turkiye’s Hatay province as part of post-earthquake recovery efforts. Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan personally handed over apartment keys to local residents during a joint ceremony.

The newly built complex, named Uzbekistan, consists of 24 residential buildings with a total of 300 apartments. The project was delivered by Uzbek construction companies in an area severely affected by the February 2023 earthquake.

The initiative forms part of broader humanitarian cooperation between Tashkent and Ankara. It reflects Uzbekistan’s involvement not only in emergency aid but also in long-term reconstruction in...

Uzbekistan is set to attract $10 mln in Turkish investment as MT Makina enters the country’s waste management sector. The projects will be implemented in the Samarkand region and focus on both waste sorting and equipment manufacturing, according to the Agency for Waste Management.

Rather than importing machinery, the partnership is aimed at building local capacity. Plans include a high-capacity waste sorting facility capable of processing up to 500 tonnes of household waste per day, helping regions move away from landfill-based disposal.

A separate production site will manufacture containers and specialized waste-collection vehicles. Annual output is expected...

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the United Nations could face a financial collapse as early as July. He outlined the risks in a letter to UN member states, stressing that the crisis threatens the organization’s core operations.

According to Guterres, the shortfall is already affecting peacekeeping missions and humanitarian programs. The main cause is the failure of the largest donor, the United States, to fully pay its assessed contributions, along with cuts in voluntary funding.

The Secretary-General presented a clear choice to member states. Either all countries meet their financial obligations in full and on...

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and transport as ties between the two neighbours continue to deepen.

The talks took place during a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Tashkent Beibut Atamkulov, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade.

Both sides noted the steady growth in bilateral trade and reaffirmed their commitment to increasing mutual trade turnover to $10 bn by 2030 under a Joint Programme. Preparations were also discussed for the first meeting of the Council of Regional Leaders, scheduled...

Uzbekistan and the World Bank have discussed attracting $55 mln in loan financing to support the construction of next-generation schools across the country, as part of broader efforts to modernise the national education system.

The talks took place in Tashkent between Yves Jeancleme, the World Bank’s Senior Education Specialist, and Otabek Fazilkarimov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan. In addition to the proposed loan, the sides reviewed the allocation of a $5 mln grant and a separate $70 mln programme aimed at expanding and upgrading preschool education.

Discussions focused on improving coordination and efficiency across education...

Uzbekistan face a must-win test against Japan on Sunday as Group C of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ reaches a critical stage in Jakarta.

Japan have already secured their place in the knockout rounds after a composed 3–0 victory over Tajikistan, with head coach Kensuke Takahashi praising his side’s patience, defensive solidity and tactical discipline. The four-time champions will now look to fine-tune their game, knowing Uzbekistan present a physical and experienced challenge.

Uzbekistan, coached by Nodir Elibaev, sit on four points following a spirited 4–2 comeback win against Australia. However, Elibaev insists his team must...

Uzbekistan and Turkey have agreed to work towards boosting bilateral trade to $5 bn, following a high-level meeting in Ankara between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The talks took place during the fourth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, co-chaired by the two leaders as part of President Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Turkey. The meeting marked a new stage in the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

Discussions focused on expanding political dialogue, strengthening trade and economic ties, improving transport connectivity, and deepening cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Both sides noted steady growth in bilateral trade, a...

Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, best known for its viral Labubu dolls, has chosen London as the location for its new regional headquarters and plans to open seven additional stores across the UK.

The announcement was made during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to China, aimed at boosting economic growth through trade and investment ties. Starmer’s office said the trip has already secured export deals worth £2.2 bn and market access valued at £2.3 bn over the next five years.

Pop Mart’s Labubu dolls, instantly recognisable for their toothy grin and pointy ears, have become global...

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has urged European countries to act with greater confidence toward Washington, warning that fear-driven politics could weaken Europe’s decision-making.

Speaking to the RND media group, Pistorius said U.S. President Donald Trump relies on «uncertainty and fear» to achieve his goals, adding that «those who are afraid make the wrong decisions.» Europe, he argued, should not allow itself to be intimidated but instead focus on becoming «more sovereign and independent.»

Pistorius was responding to renewed pressure from Trump over Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory, and broader concerns about transatlantic relations. He stressed that the...

Britain’s largest energy supplier Octopus Energy has struck a deal to supply power in China, marking a significant expansion into the world’s biggest renewable energy market.

The agreement, announced during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to Beijing, will see Octopus partner with state-backed utility PCG Power to trade renewable electricity across China. Octopus will provide its energy trading software, while PCG Power will contribute local market expertise.

The joint venture, named Bitong Energy, aims to trade up to 140 terawatt hours of renewable power annually by 2030. It is expected to generate around £50mln in yearly profits...

Photos and emails involving Prince Andrew have emerged in a newly released tranche of millions of documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, adding fresh scrutiny to the British royal’s past association with the late financier.

The files, published by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday, include undated photographs that appear to show Andrew crouched over an unidentified woman, as well as email exchanges suggesting Epstein was invited to dine at Buckingham Palace in 2010—two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. It remains unclear whether the meeting took place.

Additional documents...

China’s anti-corruption campaign has expanded to another senior official, with Emergencies Minister Wang Xiangxi placed under investigation by the ruling Communist Party’s top watchdog.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said it had launched a probe into Wang for «serious violations of discipline and law» — a phrase commonly used in China to signal suspected corruption or abuse of power. Wang, 63, has served as minister of emergency management since July 2022, after previously heading the state-owned National Energy Investment Corporation.

The move is the latest in a widening purge of high-ranking officials under President Xi Jinping...

Iran is reportedly making preparations to bury the bodies of American soldiers in the event of a U.S. military attack, according to local media citing officials connected to Tehran’s largest cemetery.

The semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that the Behesht Zahra cemetery organisation has set aside land capable of holding several thousand graves on the outskirts of the capital. The move is described as a precautionary step as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate.

The report comes amid renewed warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened military action if Tehran does not...

Uzbekistan was among the countries that purchased Kazakh oil at the lowest prices in 2025, according to Kursiv Kazakhstan, citing Kazakhstan’s customs statistics.

Data show Uzbekistan imported 64,200 tonnes of oil worth $23.7 mln last year, meaning Uzbek buyers paid about $368.6 per tonne. Previously, oil supplies were not delivered directly to Uzbekistan, with only Russian hydrocarbons transiting through Kazakhstan.

Kursiv Kazakhstan estimates that Singapore and Switzerland also secured comparatively cheap supplies, paying roughly $435.7 and $460.4 per tonne respectively.

Overall, Kazakhstan exported 76 mln tonnes of oil and gas condensate in 2025, generating $39.9 bn in revenue. The...

Animation studio Science SARU on January 30 released a new teaser for its upcoming Ghost in the Shell anime series, offering viewers their first look at footage from the project.

It was first revealed in 2025 that the studio, known for titles including Dandadan, was developing a new adaptation, accompanied at the time by an initial teaser and promotional poster.

The newly released trailer marks the first time scenes from the anime itself have been shown publicly. It also confirms a planned premiere window of July 2026.

Ghost in the Shell, originally a manga series, has previously inspired multiple adaptations...

Apple plans to prioritise production and shipment of its top-tier iPhone models in 2026 while postponing the launch of its standard model. This comes as part of a shift in marketing strategy and due to supply chain challenges, Nikkei Asia reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The company is expected to centre its second-half 2026 lineup on three premium devices, including Apple’s first foldable iPhone and two high-end non-folding models featuring improved cameras and larger displays. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 is now reportedly scheduled for release in the first half of 2027.

According to the report, the...

Australia’s Olivia Gadecki and John Peers made history on January 30 by becoming the first team in 37 years to successfully defend the Australian Open mixed doubles title. The wildcard pairing defeated France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard 4-6 6-3 10-8 in a dramatic final.

The victory marks Gadecki’s second Grand Slam title and Peers’ fourth. They are the first Australian duo to retain the crown since Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher 62 years ago and the first overall to do so since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh in 1989.

Mladenovic and Guinard broke Peers in the opening game...