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Turkey has intensified its crackdown on dissent ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, drawing criticism from human rights groups and some Western officials as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepares to host alliance leaders.

Authorities have banned public demonstrations, increased security across the capital and detained more than 200 people in recent weeks, including journalists, opposition activists and comedian Deniz Goktas. Turkish officials say the arrests are part of anti-terrorism operations and are unrelated to the summit.

Speaking before the summit, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed that democracy extends beyond elections, highlighting the importance of freedom of...

Uzbekistan is moving forward with plans to strengthen its access to global markets through the Trans-Afghan Corridor, even as the long-awaited railway linking Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan remains several years away from completion.

While the proposed railway is still in the feasibility stage, a multimodal transport corridor combining road, rail and sea transport is already operational during periods when the Afghanistan–Pakistan border is open. The route connects Central Asia with Pakistan’s ports of Karachi and Gwadar before continuing to destinations such as Jebel Ali in the UAE.

The railway project, which will run from Termez through Afghanistan to...

China and several Central Asian countries have agreed to develop a new satellite constellation designed to monitor natural disasters, environmental changes and agricultural conditions across the region.

The project, named the Tianwu Constellation, will initially consist of five satellites providing continuous remote sensing data to help detect earthquakes, landslides, glacial flooding, crop diseases and other cross-border risks. The agreement was signed during the 9th China–Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, bringing together scientific institutions from China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The initiative is expected to strengthen regional cooperation on disaster prevention, climate monitoring and food security while expanding China’s technological...

An international team of archaeologists has discovered a rare Hellenistic military camp in southern Uzbekistan.

The findings at the Iskandar-Tepa site, previously identified as a civilian settlement, were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. The discovery follows nearly a decade of research by Uzbek and Czech scientists led by Charles University professor Ladislav Stanco.

Researchers used magnetometry and ground-penetrating radar to identify the 6-hectare camp, which was constructed using ancient military architecture principles. A 400-metre defensive ditch surrounds the central area of the site.

Excavations revealed the ditch measured between 4 and 7 metres wide and reached...

Lawmakers in Uzbekistan have approved a bill to update the national Latin-based alphabet and forwarded the legislation to the Senate for review.

The Oliy Majlis press service announced the proposed changes will transition the current writing system from 26 letters and three combinations to an updated 28 letters and a single apostrophe.

Under the new legislation, four specific letter combinations will be replaced with single characters. The combination “sh” will become “ş”, “ch” will change to “ç”, “o‘” will transition to “ö” and “g‘” will be replaced by “ğ”. The combination “ng” will be removed entirely from the official...

The body of a 22-year-old medical student killed during a dispute in Uzbekistan arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday ahead of its final journey to her home state of Kerala.

The victim, identified as Savariya from Haripad in Alappuzha, suffered fatal head injuries four days ago when a fellow student allegedly struck her with a laptop. She succumbed to complications from internal bleeding at an Uzbekistan hospital.

Uzbek authorities have detained the accused, identified as Sadharul Anam from Malappuram, in connection with the attack. Haripad police confirmed the victim’s family notified them of the arrest, though official investigation details...

Charlize Theron captivated onlookers at the London premiere of her latest film, The Odyssey, showcasing a striking appearance that drew significant attention.

The 50-year-old Oscar-winning actress currently stars as the sorceress Circe in the $250 mln fantasy epic. The production follows the character of Odysseus, portrayed by Matt Damon, throughout a decade-long journey home following the Trojan War. Anne Hathaway also features in the ensemble cast.

Ahead of the premiere, the star generated social media buzz by sharing a provocative promotional image. On the red carpet itself, Theron opted for a black gown featuring a high thigh split.

Anthony Hamilton, the father of seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, is set to auction 27 classic and modern vehicles from his private collection at Silverstone on July 25. The sale, managed by Iconic Auctioneers, showcases a selection of British and German automotive engineering assembled by the man who played a pivotal role in his son’s historic racing career.

Anthony Hamilton’s own journey has been defined by the sacrifices he made to nurture his son’s talent, including working multiple jobs, from double-glazing sales to IT contracting, to fund Lewis’s early karting and junior racing years. His mentorship provided...

Uzbekistan national team footballer Abbosbek Fayzullaev hosted a traditional wedding plov in Tashkent.

Guests at the event included teammate Abdukodir Khusanov and Otabek Umarov, the first deputy chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan. The Tashkent gathering followed earlier festivities in the city of Guliston.

According to Sports.kz, the midfielder held his engagement ceremony in May. His fiancee is from the Namangan region. Fayzullaev previously dedicated his...

Nintendo will begin a phased rollout of Switch 2 consoles featuring removable batteries in Europe starting in the summer of 2026. The hardware adjustments ensure compliance with new European battery regulations scheduled to take effect in mid-February 2027.

The company announced the transition will begin with updated Joy-Con controllers. A revised Nintendo Switch 2 console bundled with the new removable-battery Joy-Con 2 units will launch in the autumn. Standalone versions of the updated Joy-Con 2 and the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller will reach retailers in the winter.

The design changes will marginally alter the hardware’s specifications. The removable...

Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears following Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16.

Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in stoppage time to secure the victory for Spain in the Iberian derby. Cameras captured the 41-year-old Portugal captain crying immediately after the final whistle, with the footage quickly circulating across social media platforms.

The match marked Ronaldo’s final appearance at the tournament. He confirmed before the competition began that the 2026 edition would be his last World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo fights back tears after Portugal's...

Prosecutors have begun laying out their case against Tyler Robinson, the man charged with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, during a preliminary hearing in Utah.

Erika Kirk sat with her late husband’s parents and friends on Monday as the court reviewed evidence from the September 2025 attack. Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony use of a firearm. The prosecution intends to seek the death penalty.

The current proceedings will determine whether sufficient probable cause exists to send the case to trial. The family temporarily left the room to avoid viewing graphic...

The United States crashed out of the World Cup on Monday following a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the last 16.

Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in a match overshadowed by FIFA’s unprecedented decision to suspend a ban for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun following an intervention from President Donald Trump.

Despite his clearance to play after receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun had minimal impact on the pitch. The 25-year-old did secure the free kick that resulted in Tillman’s first-half equaliser.

Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin, who assisted De Ketelaere’s opening goal, suggested the controversy surrounding Balogun’s...

Artificial intelligence could dramatically increase the risk of a future pandemic if terrorists exploit the technology to create dangerous pathogens, according to biosecurity experts who are calling for stricter regulation of synthetic DNA.

The warning comes as AI tools become increasingly capable of assisting biological research, making it easier to analyse genetic information and design new proteins or viruses. While these advances hold enormous promise for medicine and vaccine development, experts caution that they could also lower the barriers for malicious actors seeking to develop biological weapons.

The UK government is reportedly considering tighter controls on the sale and screening...

Taylor Swift has found herself at the centre of an online controversy after confusion over the identity of a guest at her wedding to NFL star Travis Kelce sparked criticism across social media.

The backlash began after posts on X claimed that Steven J. Demetriou, executive chair of engineering company Amentum, attended the ceremony. Amentum has faced scrutiny because it holds U.S. government contracts related to immigration detention facilities, prompting some users to criticise Swift and accuse her of associating with figures connected to the industry.

However, the situation quickly became muddled as conflicting reports emerged about which...

Meta has come under renewed scrutiny after an investigation alleged the company orchestrated a covert programme in which hundreds of contractors posed as teenagers to test the safety mechanisms of competing artificial intelligence chatbots.

According to WIRED, the project, reportedly codenamed “Cannes”, was managed through outsourcing company Covalen and targeted several of the world’s leading AI platforms, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Character.AI. Workers were instructed to create burner accounts registered as underage users and submit thousands of sensitive prompts designed to probe whether the systems would violate their own safety rules.

The programme reportedly remained unknown...

Pioneering co-ed K-pop quartet KARD are set to part ways after a remarkable ten-year run in the music industry. DSP Media, the group’s management agency, confirmed on Monday that the four-piece will officially dissolve their partnership once they wrap up their forthcoming world tour and release their final studio album.

The group’s swansong project, a full-length record titled “Where To Now? (Part.2): NOWHERE”, is scheduled to drop on July 28. Following this highly anticipated release, the members will hit the road for a global tour to bid a final farewell to their dedicated global audience.

In an official public...

Olivia Wilde has weighed in on the growing online debate about modern relationships, saying that having a boyfriend is “no longer required” and describing the shift as “a good evolution” for women.

Speaking while promoting her new comedy The Invite, Wilde said relationships should be a choice rather than a social expectation. She argued that many people remain in unhappy partnerships because they fear being single, adding that sacrificing one’s identity to preserve a relationship is far more damaging than being alone.

“Relationships don’t have to be embarrassing. But they’re no longer required. A...

Hundreds of masked members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front marched through Washington, DC, on 4 July, coinciding with celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Wearing matching blue shirts, khaki trousers and white face coverings, demonstrators carried Patriot Front and Confederate flags while chanting slogans including “Reclaim America.”

The group gathered near Union Station before marching towards the U.S. Capitol and later leaving the city via the Metro system. Washington’s Metropolitan Police monitored the demonstration and said no arrests or major incidents were reported, stressing that authorities remained committed to protecting public safety while respecting...

European football’s top administrators have issued a blistering critique following a controversial ruling that allows Folarin Balogun to dodge an immediate red card suspension.

By opting to put the standard one-game ban on ice in favour of a 12-month probationary period, officials have crossed what UEFA describes as a clear and dangerous line.

At the heart of the game lies a firm framework of regulations designed to guarantee fairness, transparency and honesty across all competitions. While certain on-pitch incidents naturally spark debate and subjective interpretation, UEFA insists that the baseline punishment for a sending-off is completely non-negotiable.

An automatic...

Tens of thousands of mourners filled the streets of Tehran on Monday as Iran held the funeral procession for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with crowds chanting calls for revenge against the United States and President Donald Trump.

State-organised ceremonies saw mourners accompany coffins carrying Khamenei and several members of his family. Many participants waved Iranian flags, burned U.S. and British flags, and displayed banners blaming Washington and Israel for the assassination of the country’s longtime leader. Chants demanding retaliation echoed throughout the procession.

The funeral marks the latest stage of Iran’s week-long national mourning following Khamenei’s...

England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 has triggered an emotional response across Mexico, ending the hosts’ hopes of a historic run and bringing an immediate end to Javier Aguirre‘s tenure as national team coach.

The match at the iconic Estadio Azteca saw England survive with 10 men after a controversial red card before holding off a fierce Mexican comeback to book a quarter-final against Norway. Jude Bellingham scored twice, while Harry Kane converted the decisive penalty as Thomas Tuchel‘s side secured one of their most memorable World Cup victories.

Mexican newspapers reacted...

Tottenham Hotspur have successfully secured the services of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali in a club-record transfer that could ultimately reach £100 mln. The 26-year-old makes the move to the capital after spending three seasons with the Magpies.

Newcastle previously rejected an opening offer of roughly £80 mln from the north London club. However the two Premier League sides eventually compromised on a lucrative package that guarantees an upfront payment of £92.5 mln with an additional £7.5 mln tied to performance add-ons.

This blockbuster arrival follows swiftly on the heels of another major midfield investment. Spurs recently recruited Mateus...

Uzbekistan’s automotive sector experienced a notable expansion during the first five months of 2026, with the assembly of passenger cars reaching 190,500 units. According to the latest report from the National Committee for Statistics, this represents an increase of 19,300 vehicles compared to the same period last year.

The Chevrolet Cobalt firmly maintains its position as the country’s most heavily manufactured vehicle. By the beginning of June this year, domestic factories had turned out more than 69,300 Cobalts, a substantial jump from the 58,900 units recorded during the corresponding timeframe in 2025.

However, this upward trend was not reflected...