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FIFA has approved new rules requiring women’s national teams to include female coaches on their benches, as part of efforts to boost representation in football.

Under the regulation, each team competing in FIFA women’s tournaments must have at least two female staff members, including at least one in a key role such as head coach or assistant coach. The measure was approved at a FIFA Council meeting and will come into force at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland in September.

The rule will also apply to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and FIFA’s...

Canadian energy company Condor Energies said its gas production in Uzbekistan continued to grow in 2025, as the firm also advanced LNG and critical minerals projects in Kazakhstan.

According to the company’s year-end results, average production in Uzbekistan reached 10,484 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in 2025, including 10,202 boe/d of natural gas and 282 barrels per day of condensate. Annual gas and condensate sales in the country totaled CAD 80.66 mln.

In the fourth quarter, output in Uzbekistan rose 5.6% from the previous quarter to 10,534 boe/d. Condor added that production in March 2026 has...

The Philippines defeated Uzbekistan 2–0 in a crucial AFC Women’s Asian Cup play-off match, keeping their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup alive.

The match, played in Australia as part of the tournament’s play-in stage, saw the Filipinas deliver a composed performance to secure victory and eliminate Uzbekistan from contention.

The play-off fixtures involve teams that lost in the quarter-finals, with winners earning a direct place at the World Cup, underlining the high stakes of the encounter.

Despite a competitive showing, Uzbekistan failed to convert chances and were ultimately undone by two goals from the...

Uzbekistan is often described as one of the happiest countries in Central Asia, but a closer look suggests the picture is more complex than global rankings imply. Are Uzbeks really happy asks The Diplomat Media.

According to recent international surveys, Uzbekistan ranks relatively high in measures of life satisfaction compared to its regional peers. The country placed around the middle of global rankings and emerged as one of the happiest in Eurasia, reflecting strong social ties and a culture of mutual support.

Analysts note that such rankings rely heavily on subjective perceptions, how people feel about their...

Several Central European countries are advancing stricter migration and border policies, with Austria opening talks with Uzbekistan while Germany, Poland and others move to tighten asylum and security measures.

Austria has approved the start of negotiations with Uzbekistan on a migration agreement aimed at facilitating deportations of rejected asylum seekers, including third-country nationals transiting through the Central Asian state. The deal is also expected to include schemes for skilled workers, students and researchers. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said the move would help enforce «orderly migration» and uphold the rule of law.

In the Czech Republic, the government is...

Uzbekistan is moving forward with plans to modernise its water management system in partnership with China’s LEO Group, following high-level talks in Tashkent.

The discussions took place between Deputy Minister Ilzat Kasimov and LEO Group Chairman Wang Xianjun, focusing on investment projects to produce modern pumping equipment and upgrade water infrastructure across the country.

Both sides explored the construction of new pumping stations under public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms, as well as the creation of a specialized technopark dedicated to advanced engineering and technological solutions.

Officials said the projects aim to boost efficiency in water resource management and support...

The European Union has honoured its Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Toivo Klaar, for two decades of service in European public administration.

The award was presented during the annual EU Ambassadors Conference in Brussels by Kaja Kallas, who serves as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The recognition highlights Klaar’s long-standing contribution to the EU’s external action, including his role in strengthening ties with Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region.

On the same occasion, EU official Diego Escalona Paturel also received a medal marking 20 years of service.

In a statement, the EU Delegation to...

U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy on March 19 after drawing a comparison between recent American strikes on Iran and Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, during a White House meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump defended the element of surprise in military operations when asked why allies had not been informed in advance of the strikes on Tehran.

«We wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan?» he said, referencing the historic attack.

Trump went on to question Japan’s decision-making during Pearl Harbor...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is injecting up to $15.4 mln into UzCarlsberg to facilitate the major brewer’s growth.

As the sole producer of international Carlsberg Group brands in Uzbekistan, the company will use this equity investment to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and promote sustainability within the regional food industry.

UzCarlsberg, which has partnered with the EBRD since 2022, plans to direct the funds toward constructing a new brewing plant alongside its current operations. The financial boost will also enable the brewer to upgrade its warehouse facilities and procure cutting-edge bottling and brewing machinery. Ultimately, these upgrades...

Actor Val Kilmer will appear on screen after his death in what producers describe as a groundbreaking performance created using generative artificial intelligence in the upcoming film «As Deep as the Grave.»

Kilmer, known for roles in «Top Gun,» «The Doors» and «Batman Forever,» had been cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest with ties to Native American spirituality. However, he was unable to take part in filming due to health complications linked to throat cancer. He died last April at the age of 65.

Filmmakers said they worked closely with Kilmer’s estate and his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, to...

U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel had «violently lashed out» at Iran’s major South Pars gas field in a significant escalation of the U.S.-Israeli conflict, but added Israel would not carry out further strikes unless Iran retaliated, Reuters reports.

Wednesday’s attack on the giant gas facility drove up oil prices and prompted Iran to threaten strikes on oil and gas targets across the Gulf, while firing missiles at Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The escalation further disrupts global energy supplies and increases political stakes for Trump, who joined Israel in targeting Iran nearly four weeks ago.

QatarEnergy reported «extensive damage...

Lionel Messi reached a landmark 900 career goals on Wednesday, becoming only the second player in elite men’s football to achieve the feat after Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 38-year-old Argentine World Cup winner scored with a left-footed strike in Inter Miami’s 1-1 draw with Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Messi’s milestone came 21 years after his first senior goal for Barcelona at age 17 in 2005.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano described Messi’s tally as «insane».

«I’ve been lucky enough to see most, or many, of the goals he’s scored, much closer than you all...

The Philippines have earned a spot at the 2027 Women’s World Cup following a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan in a Women’s Asian Cup play-in match on the Gold Coast, ESPN reports.

Angela Beard was a standout performer as the two quarterfinal losers from the Asian Cup clashed for a World Cup qualifying spot in Brazil next year.

Under former A-League Women coach Mark Torcaso, the Filipinas controlled the game and, after a first half of near misses, delivered a rapid double in the second half.

Beard narrowly missed twice in the opening 45 minutes, including a close-range tap-in, before...

Uzbekistan will select its first cosmonaut through an open contest, available to any citizen who meets the eligibility requirements.

This was announced by Muhiddin Ibragimov, deputy director of the agency «Uzbekcosmos,» during a roundtable with agency officials and deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, according to a Kursiv Uzbekistan correspondent. Candidates will be evaluated on age, height, weight and education, and selection will focus on technological expertise. Participants must also speak at least two languages.

«If the mission is planned for the International Space Station, knowledge of Russian and English is mandatory. For...

Disney has officially announced release dates for two highly anticipated sequels, «Incredibles 3» and «Lilo & Stitch 2,» set for summer 2028, Variety reports.

During Wednesday’s shareholder call, incoming Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro revealed that the live-action «Lilo & Stitch» sequel will premiere on May 26, followed by the third installment of «The Incredibles» on June 16.

Incredibles 3

The upcoming «Incredibles» film will be directed by Peter Sohn, known for «Elemental,» marking the first time the series will continue without franchise creator Brad Bird directing. Bird will, however, remain involved as a screenwriter and producer. Returning voice...

The official turnover of crypto assets in Uzbekistan at the end of 2025 amounted to more than $2 bn. This was reported on March 18 by the First Deputy Director of the National Agency for Advanced Projects (NAPP) Vyacheslav Pak during a press conference, in response to a question from Kursiv Uzbekistan. For comparison, in 2023 this figure was at the level of $1 bn, indicating a twofold growth of the legal market.

«By the end of 2025, officially it [crypto asset turnover] is more than $2 bn,» he said.

Control over the «grey...

Afghanistan has agreed to suspend military operations against Pakistan following mediation efforts by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, Afghan officials said according to RBC.

Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announced in a post on X that the truce will run from the night of March 19 until midnight on March 24. Pakistan had earlier confirmed a similar pause in hostilities, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar saying the decision was taken at the request of the same mediators.

The ceasefire coincides with Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important Islamic celebrations marking the end of Ramadan, observed this year from the...

A powerful spyware tool known as «Darksword» has been discovered targeting Apple iPhones through compromised websites in Ukraine, Reuters reports.

The malware was analysed by Google, Lookout and iVerify, marking the second major iPhone exploit identified this month. Experts say it reflects a growing market for advanced hacking tools capable of stealing sensitive data and cryptocurrency assets.

Google linked the spyware to campaigns in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia and Ukraine, with some activity tied to Turkish firm PARS Defense.

The attacks targeted iPhones running older iOS versions released in 2025. While Apple has patched the vulnerabilities, researchers estimate that up...

For years, Timothee Chalamet was the internet’s undisputed prince of alternative Hollywood. Bursting onto the scene with a waifish charm and a head of unruly curls, he was quickly dubbed a cinematic “twink” and the ultimate “ballet kid”.

His early red carpet appearances reflected this youthful, boundary-pushing energy. He famously shunned traditional tuxedos in favour of floral prints, sequinned Louis Vuitton harnesses and bare chests underneath Haider Ackermann tailoring. He was the poster boy for soft masculinity, redefining what a young leading man could look like on a global press tour.

Wardrobe transition

However, as Chalamet has transitioned into...

Tom Holland is back in the Spider-Man suit in Disney and Sony’s latest MCU adventure, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with the film set to premiere in cinemas on July 31.

This will be Holland’s first solo Spider-Man movie since the 2021 hit Spider-Man: No Way Home, which grossed over $1.9 bn worldwide and introduced Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s versions of the web-slinger into the MCU. Brand New Day resets Spider-Man’s world while giving Holland a new red-and-blue suit for his fourth standalone film and seventh overall Marvel appearance.

At the end of No Way Home, Peter Parker made...

Uzbekistan delivered a humanitarian aid shipment to Afghanistan on March 18, 2026, in a gesture marking Eid al-Fitr.

The assistance, totalling more than 290 tonnes, included flour, rice, wheat, vegetable oil, instant food, pasta, confectionery and other essential goods. The initiative was aimed at supporting the Afghan population while reinforcing neighbourly relations and long-standing ties between the two countries.

The official handover ceremony took place in the border city of Hairatan.

During the event, local officials including Balkh Province Deputy Governor Mawlawi Abu Idris and representatives of the regional foreign ministry office expressed appreciation to Shavkat Mirziyoyev for...

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) anticipates that global air passenger demand will more than double by 2050. According to the organisation’s newly released Long-Term Demand Projections, a midrange scenario forecasts passenger demand reaching 20.8 trln revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) by mid-century.

This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% from the 9 trln RPKs recorded in 2024. Alternative models suggest demand could reach up to 21.9 trln RPKs under a high-growth scenario or 19.5 trln RPKs in a lower-growth forecast.

These varying projections rely on several factors, including long-term economic expansion, population shifts, aviation fuel costs, supply-side...

A meteor streaking across Ohio caused a powerful boom that rattled residents as far as Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning, Nasa confirmed.

The space rock entered the atmosphere around 9 a.m. local time, generating a sonic boom that was reported across northern Ohio, Cleveland, and as far east as Pittsburgh and parts of New York state.

Bill Cook, a Nasa spokesperson, told News5 Cleveland that the meteor was first seen near Medina.

«I woke up this morning, and the sky fell, so I feel like Chicken Little right now,» he joked.

Nasa’s meteoroid office estimated...

Confederation of African Football has declared Morocco winners of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after upholding an appeal that overturned Senegal’s victory in the final.

Senegal were judged to have forfeited the match, played in Rabat on January 18, after walking off the pitch in protest at a late penalty decision. Although they returned 14 minutes later and went on to win 1-0 in extra time through Pape Gueye, CAF’s Appeal Board has now awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory.

The ruling adds to the controversy surrounding the final, which was marred by disorder on and off the pitch...