News

The International Booker Prize will be renamed the Bukhman International Booker Prize from 2027 following a new decade-long sponsorship agreement with Bukhman Philanthropies. The foundation, established by Dmitry and Daria Bukhman, has committed £1.4 mln annually to support the prestigious award for translated fiction.

The new funding will also double the main prize from £50,000 to £100,000, with the award continuing to be shared equally between the winning author and translator. Prize money for shortlisted books will remain unchanged.

According to the Booker Prize Foundation, the partnership aims to strengthen support for translated literature and the work of literary translators...

Leaked renders of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A18 suggest the company is taking an evolutionary approach to its next budget smartphone, keeping a design that closely resembles its predecessor while introducing a few refinements.

According to the leaked CAD images, the Galaxy A18 retains Samsung’s signature flat frame and vertically aligned rear cameras, although the camera module has been slightly redesigned. The handset is also expected to feature a 6.7-inch display, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious users.

The phone is rumoured to be powered by either Samsung’s Exynos 1380

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will grant Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors, a move aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s air defence against continued Russian missile attacks.

Speaking after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said Ukraine would be able to produce the interceptors under licence with support from US defence companies. He described the Patriot system as defensive and suggested production could begin relatively quickly, although details still need to be finalised.

The announcement comes as Ukraine faces a shortage of Patriot interceptors amid...

Lebanese authorities have released former pop star Fadel Shaker on bail as investigations continue into his alleged involvement in deadly clashes between Sunni militants and the Lebanese army in 2013.

Shaker, who surrendered to military intelligence in October 2025 after spending 12 years in hiding, paid bail of 500 mln Lebanese pounds (about $5,500) and was released while awaiting a retrial on charges including membership of an armed group, money laundering and alleged involvement in the Sidon clashes.

The singer was originally sentenced in absentia to 22 years in prison in 2020 for supporting a militant group. Under...

Norway’s preparations for their FIFA World Cup quarter-final against England have suffered another setback after illness spread through the squad just days before the crucial clash in Miami.

Head coach Stale Solbakken revealed that several players have experienced flu-like symptoms, including coughing and fever, with striker Jorgen Strand Larsen among those affected. Defender Marcus Holmgren Pedersen also missed Norway’s Round of 16 victory over Brazil due to illness. Solbakken suggested the demanding tournament schedule, frequent travel and air-conditioned environments may have contributed to the outbreak.

The health concerns come shortly after Norway was forced to change hotels following complaints about...

SpaceX has launched the world’s first commercial nuclear-powered satellite, opening a new chapter in space technology and long-duration missions.

The BOHR (Betavoltaic Orbital High-Reliability) CubeSat, developed by Florida-based City Labs, was carried into low Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket during the Transporter-17 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Unlike traditional satellites powered mainly by solar panels, BOHR uses a compact tritium-powered betavoltaic battery that converts energy from radioactive decay into electricity. The system is designed to provide a reliable power source in locations where sunlight is limited, including deep space and permanently shadowed...

The long-awaited heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could begin as late as 1 a.m. if Wembley Stadium is confirmed as the venue, according to reports.

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, who is backing the blockbuster fight, has indicated that a late-night start would be required to maximise television audiences in the United States. Wembley remains the preferred location, but only if local authorities agree to relax event curfew rules.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly supported hosting the all-British clash in the capital, while discussions continue over whether a later start time can be approved...

More than two decades after Ali G Indahouse hit cinemas, Sacha Baron Cohen has reportedly completed filming a brand-new Ali G movie in secret.

According to industry reports, production took place in the UK and the United States under tight security, with the project remaining hidden from the public until filming had wrapped. The untitled film marks the long-awaited return of Baron Cohen’s iconic satirical character, who first appeared on Channel 4’s The 11 O’Clock Show in 1998 before starring in Da Ali G Show and the 2002 feature film Ali G Indahouse.

Details of the plot, cast...

Goitered gazelles have been recorded on the grounds of the Surkhan State Nature Reserve for the first time since the sanctuary was established in September 1986.

The rare animals were spotted within the protected area managed by the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. Thanks to favourable environmental conditions, a herd of 10 gazelles independently migrated to the Uzbek sanctuary from neighbouring Turkmenistan.

The goitered gazelle is classified as a vulnerable species experiencing ongoing population decline. It is officially listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Union for Conservation of Nature...

Chinese artist Winwin has officially parted ways with SM Entertainment and concluded his activities with the K-pop group NCT following the expiration of his exclusive contract.

The 28-year-old performer, whose real name is Dong Sicheng, chose not to renew his agreement with the South Korean record label after a decade-long partnership. SM Entertainment confirmed the departure in a statement published on the fan community platform Weverse on Wednesday. The agency noted that the two parties mutually agreed to end the contract effective July 9 following extensive discussions.

“Accordingly, WINWIN will conclude all activities as a...

President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to sever all commercial ties with Spain, condemning the nation as a “terrible partner” for failing to meet new NATO defence spending targets.

The abrupt directive was issued to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday during a press conference in Turkey. Standing alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump cited Madrid’s refusal to contribute a mandated 5% of its gross domestic product to the military alliance and its lack of cooperation in the ongoing Iran war.

Spain’s Socialist government previously denied American forces access to its airspace and military bases for operations...

OpenAI will release an updated version of ChatGPT 5.6 on Thursday after the launch was initially postponed due to national security concerns.

The delay highlights a growing effort by the White House to control the rollout of advanced artificial intelligence. According to Reuters, Washington fears these cutting-edge technologies could be exploited by military and intelligence agencies in China, Russia and other nations.

This heightened government scrutiny follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that introduced a voluntary vetting procedure for tech firms. The directive requires developers to present their frontier models to the U.S. government up to...

Uzbekistan’s gold and foreign exchange reserves declined to $63.7 bn at the start of July, representing a notable decrease from the $70.5 bn recorded just one month prior. The central bank report highlights that this overall financial depreciation occurred even as the Central Asian nation continued to aggressively expand its physical bullion holdings.

According to the latest regulatory data, foreign currency assets accounted for $7.4 bn of the July 1 total while the nation’s gold holdings were valued at $55.7 bn. Despite the drop in the overall monetary valuation of these assets, the physical volume of the country’s gold...

Donald Trump’s corporate enterprise has suffered a significant judicial setback after a U.S. district court tossed its multibillion-dollar libel claim targeting The Washington Post.

Presiding over the case in Florida, U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber ended the litigation during the summary judgment phase. He determined that Trump Media and Technology Group lacked the necessary proof to convince a jury that the publication acted with actual malice.

This stringent legal threshold requires prominent figures to demonstrate a publisher either deliberately printed falsehoods or acted with reckless disregard for accuracy. The dispute originated from a 2023 newspaper piece concerning Truth Social’s...

Connor Murphy, an American social media personality famous for his bodybuilding and looksmaxxing workout content, has died in Thailand. The influencer drowned on July 7 in a Samut Prakan province lake after fleeing from local authorities. He was believed to be either 31 or 32 years old.

Emergency responders retrieved his remains from depths exceeding 10 metres in the Bang Phli district. The fatal incident unfolded when police were dispatched to a luxury residential complex following reports of a foreign national causing a severe public disturbance.

A local estate worker recorded the fitness enthusiast exhibiting highly unpredictable conduct on...

A Ukrainian intelligence officer and a former law enforcement official have been arrested over the murder of the prime suspect in an unprecedented bombing attack in Monaco.

The mystery surrounding the assassination attempt deepened on Tuesday when Ukrainian prosecutors announced the indictment of two men for the intentional murder of Anastasiia Berezovska. The 39-year-old Ukrainian national had been identified by Interpol as the main perpetrator behind a blast targeting businessman Vadym Yermolaiev.

Police discovered Berezovska’s body with fatal gunshot wounds to the head alongside pistol casings. Authorities suspect she was killed by prior conspiracy shortly after returning to Ukraine...

The International Energy Agency expects Russia to supply 10 bn cubic metres of natural gas to Uzbekistan this year. This projection highlights an expanding regional energy trade as domestic extraction in the Central Asian republic continues to decline.

According to a recently published IEA report, Russian gas deliveries routed through Kazakhstan via the Central Asia-Centre pipeline system will experience significant growth. Experts forecast these supply volumes will rise from 7 bn cubic metres in 2025 to slightly more than 10 bn cubic metres in 2026.

Falling domestic extraction fuels imports

This surge in foreign imports correlates directly with...

A vertigo-inducing romantic gesture could cost two prominent extreme climbers their freedom. Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov swapped safety harnesses for felony charges last week when their illicit ascent of the Empire State Building culminated in an engagement and multiple arrests.

The duo, who star in a recently released documentary, pleaded not guilty in Manhattan. Prosecutors charged them with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief and burglary. They also face misdemeanour counts for possessing burglary tools, criminal trespass and criminal tampering. The 33-year-old Nikolau and 32-year-old Kuznetsov, who climbs under the moniker Ivan Beerkus, could spend up to two...

Max Verstappen is in advanced negotiations to join McLaren from Red Bull, according to paddock sources, despite recent denials from McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

Speculation surrounding the driver market reached a peak on Monday following a social media frenzy. Broadcaster Will Buxton posted a message on X identical to the one he shared before Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari was announced two years ago. The post triggered intense discussion among Formula 1 fans anticipating a major announcement regarding Verstappen.

Simultaneously, journalist Thomas Maher teased upcoming news on his own page using the hashtag #F1.

Prince Harry and six other high-profile claimants could be ordered to pay legal costs of up to £50 mln after losing a landmark privacy lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail.

The UK High Court dismissed all claims against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), ruling that the claimants failed to prove allegations of unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking, bugging and the misuse of private data. Judge Matthew Nicklin found there was insufficient evidence to support the accusations.

The case, which began in 2022, also involved celebrities including Sir Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost and Doreen Lawrence. ANL welcomed...

Two explosions struck central Damascus on Tuesday during French President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Syria, injuring at least 18 people and underscoring the country’s fragile security situation.

The blasts occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron had been staying, shortly after his motorcade left for talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Syrian authorities said explosive devices had been hidden in a parked vehicle and a rubbish bin. Four police officers were among those injured. Macron was not harmed and continued his scheduled meetings.

The visit marks the first by a major European Union leader since the...

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...