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A preliminary peace framework between the United States and Iran has been established to conclude recent military hostilities.

The arrangement was mediated by Pakistan and announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday before being confirmed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the following day. Representatives from Washington and Tehran are scheduled to formally sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland this Friday.

The initial agreement mandates a complete halt to military operations across all active conflict zones including Lebanon. As part of the truce, the U.S. will lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports while Iran will reopen...

Sweden began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 5-1 win over Tunisia in their first group stage fixture. The result places the Scandinavian side at the top of their group standings.

Sweden took the lead in the seventh minute of the match. Yasin Ayari struck the ball from outside the penalty area following a series of rebounds to open the scoring. The team extended their advantage in the 30th minute when Alexander Isak received a pass from Viktor Gyökeres and directed the ball into the far corner of the net.

Tunisia reduced the deficit shortly before the interval. In...

Lewis Hamilton has finally broken his duck for the Scuderia. In a blisteringly hot 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona-Catalunya, the seven-time world champion delivered a masterclass in tyre management, racecraft and pure pace to claim his very first victory since joining Ferrari in 2025.

The win marks Hamilton’s seventh career triumph at this circuit and his first trip to the top step of the podium since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix. Crucially, the landmark result ended a dominant Mercedes run and halted Kimi Antonelli‘s incredible five-race winning streak.

LIGHTS OUT IN BARCELONA!!

🎥 Watch the...

A federal mandate has resulted in the removal of U.S. President Donald Trump’s name from the exterior of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. In a recent legal submission the performing arts complex confirmed full adherence to the court directive. All associated branding has now been erased from the physical structure, the official website and promotional materials.

The dismantling process began on Friday June 12 to meet a deadline established by a federal judge. The court had previously determined that altering the venue’s title was an illegal act. While thunderstorms initially postponed the exterior work on Friday afternoon, contractors...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan following the victory of the Civil Contract party in the country’s parliamentary elections.

In a congratulatory letter, Mirziyoyev noted that the election results reflect the confidence of the Armenian people in the government’s domestic and foreign policies, including initiatives aimed at ensuring peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus. The Uzbek leader also expressed his hope for the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Tashkent and Yerevan.

Data from all polling stations confirmed that the Civil Contract bloc secured the highest number of votes. The...

The upcoming 2026 World Cup group stage match between Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo is among the fixtures with unsold tickets. According to the publication Sportschau, seats remain available for the game scheduled for June 28 at 04:30 (GMT+5).

A number of tickets are also unsold for other group stage games including the Saudi Arabia against Cape Verde and Austria versus Jordan fixtures.

Florian Ederer, an economist at Boston University, told Sportschau that FIFA may have overestimated fan interest in certain group stage matches featuring less prominent national teams.

Ederer stated that ticket prices were initially set...

Four citizens of Uzbekistan have lost their lives in Turkey over a devastating three-day period. According to official reports from the Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Istanbul, the separate fatal incidents all occurred between June 11 and 13.

The series of tragedies began on June 11 following a severe road traffic accident in Istanbul. A 31-year-old Uzbek man was killed in the collision alongside his Turkish wife and their two-month-old infant.

The following day brought further heartbreak on the roads when another fatal crash occurred in the Tuzla district of Istanbul. The consulate confirmed that a...

Undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk met with United States President Donald Trump inside the Oval Office on Saturday June 13.

The high-profile encounter was confirmed by Margo Martin, the special assistant to the U.S. president and communications adviser. Sharing a photograph of the pair shaking hands on social media, Martin wrote:

President @realDonaldTrump in the Oval Office with the Heavyweight Champion of the World @usykaa 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/23Ff72OIP0

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) June 12, 2026

The exact details of their discussion remain undisclosed to the public.

The mystery of championship belt

This...

Authorities in the western Afghan city of Herat have significantly intensified security measures following a wave of arrests targeting women for alleged dress code violations. The heavy presence of military and police personnel forced local residents to abandon a demonstration planned for Friday according to eyewitnesses speaking to the AFP news agency.

The Taliban introduced severely restricted clothing mandates for Afghan women earlier this week. Under the new regulations authorities have established strict boundaries on female appearance in public.

The updated rules dictate that women are strictly forbidden from:

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that American armed forces successfully eliminated Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, the fugitive leader of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua. The gang boss was more widely known across Latin America by his criminal alias, “Nino Guerrero”.

Taking to his Truth Social platform on Friday evening, Trump revealed that he personally ordered the United States Southern Command to deliver a “swift and lethal kinetic strike” against the cartel leader. The president described Tren de Aragua as one of the most bloodthirsty terrorist organisations on the planet and noted that the successful mission relied...

The United States has made a resounding start to its home World Cup campaign following a comfortable 4-1 victory against Paraguay in their opening Group D fixture. Under the guidance of manager Mauricio Pochettino the hosts built an unassailable lead before half-time and safely secured all three points.

The Americans exploded out of the blocks and pinned their opponents back from the opening whistle. Their relentless early pressure was rewarded in the seventh minute when Christian Pulisic orchestrated a dangerous attacking move that ultimately forced Damian Bobadilla to turn the ball into his own net.

The hosts continued to dictate...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun on Canadian soil following a spectacular opening ceremony at BMO Field in Toronto on the night of June 12. The vibrant event served as the perfect prelude to the highly anticipated group stage match between the host nation and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Toronto celebration heavily embraced the rich cultural heritage of the host nation. Festivities commenced with a powerful Indigenous tribute featuring traditional dances performed by artists from the Mohawk tribe. Adding to the immense visual spectacle, giant figures representing iconic Canadian wildlife such as a whale, a moose and a polar...

Following vibrant celebrations in Mexico and Canada, the United States has taken the baton to launch its segment of the 2026 World Cup. The grand opening ceremony took place at the SoFi Stadium ahead of the American national team’s opening fixture against Paraguay.

The massive sporting arena, which boasts a capacity of up to 70,200 spectators, is no stranger to global superstars. It has previously hosted mammoth concerts for artists such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and K-pop sensations like BTS, Stray Kids and Twice.

The ceremony, which began at 04:30 (GMT+5), matched this pedigree with a lineup of international musical...

Uzbekistan plans to introduce sweeping reforms to its cancer care system in 2027 under a new National Cancer Control Program aimed at improving early diagnosis, expanding access to treatment and strengthening support for patients across the country. The initiative was developed with assistance from the World Health Organization and international experts.

The government aims to increase screening coverage for common cancers to 60% and raise the five-year survival rate for cancer patients from around 35% to at least 45%. To achieve these goals, primary healthcare workers will receive additional training to identify cancer symptoms earlier and refer patients...

The United States and Uzbekistan have taken a new step toward expanding economic cooperation after signing a memorandum of understanding aimed at increasing trade, investment and business partnerships between the two countries. The agreement was signed in Tashkent by U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Fogel and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov.

The memorandum is designed to support business delegations, promote investment opportunities and strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including energy, mining, agriculture, information technology and artificial intelligence. Officials from both countries described the agreement as a practical mechanism for turning economic ambitions into...

The European Union Delegation to Uzbekistan and the National Erasmus+ Office have hosted a networking event in Tashkent, bringing together Erasmus+ alumni, current participants, university representatives and government officials to strengthen educational and professional ties between Uzbekistan and Europe. The gathering welcomed graduates of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme as well as newly selected scholarship recipients preparing to begin their studies at European universities.

Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar highlighted the role of Erasmus+ in fostering people-to-people connections and mutual understanding between the European Union and Uzbekistan. He noted that investments in...

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...