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Uzbek grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov won the Play-In qualifying tournament to book his place in the final of the Freestyle Chess World Championship, according to Dunyo.

In the final of the qualifying stage, Abdusattorov defeated India’s Pranav Venkatesh 2-0. The World Championship final will be held on February 13–15 in Weissenhaus, Germany.

Eight of the world’s leading players will compete for the title, including another Uzbek grandmaster, Javokhir Sindarov. The field also features Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Levon Aronian, Arjun Erigaisi, Vincent Keymer and Hans Niemann.

The event will be the first official Freestyle Chess World Championship organised in cooperation with...

Netflix revised its takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming assets, switching to an all-cash offer while keeping the overall value at $82.7 bn. The new proposal values Warner Bros shares at $27.75 each and replaces an earlier cash-and-stock deal.

The Warner Bros board has unanimously backed the revised offer, according to a regulatory filing released on January 20.

Rivalry with Paramount intensifies

Both Netflix and Paramount Skydance are competing for Warner Bros, drawn by its film and television studios, deep content library and franchises such as Game of Thrones, Harry Potter and DC Comics superheroes...

Gold prices surged to a record high above $4,800 an ounce on January 21, supported by strong safe-haven demand and a softer dollar.

Spot gold rose 1.2% to $4,821.26 an ounce by 02:26 GMT after reaching a session peak of $4,843.67. U.S. gold futures for February delivery gained 1% to $4,813.50 an ounce.

According to Reuters, the rally reflected growing unease over Washington’s recent actions. The rise in gold prices followed a loss of confidence in the U.S. linked to tariff threats against Europe and increased pressure surrounding Greenland.

Markets were reacting to fears of escalating global tensions. Investors...

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to meet up to four times in 2026, signalling a period of cautious stabilisation in relations between the world’s two largest economies despite ongoing strategic rivalry. The planned encounters include a state visit by Trump to Beijing in April, a reciprocal visit by Xi to Washington later in the year, as well as potential meetings on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen and the G20 leaders’ summit in Miami.

The expected flurry of diplomacy follows a turbulent year marked by a renewed US–China trade war...

French President Emmanuel Macron used a high-profile speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos to warn that Europe must be ready to defend its interests amid rising geopolitical tensions and trade threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Without naming Trump directly, Macron criticised efforts to «subordinate Europe,» calling for greater innovation, private investment and strategic autonomy, and concluding that Europe «prefers respect to bullies» and the rule of law over brutality.

The remarks come as relations between Paris and Washington have deteriorated after Trump published private messages from Macron and threatened 200% tariffs on French wine and...

OpenAI is preparing to test advertisements in ChatGPT, marking a significant shift in how the company’s most popular product generates revenue after years of resistance from CEO Sam Altman.

According to Business Insider, ads will begin appearing for free and Go users in the coming weeks, while paid subscribers will remain ad-free. Altman previously described advertising as a «last resort,» but rising costs tied to building advanced AI systems and massive data center investments have pushed the company to reconsider.

OpenAI says ads will be clearly labelled, will not influence ChatGPT’s responses, and will not involve...

Audi unveiled their first-ever Formula 1 car at a launch event in Berlin as the manufacturer prepares for its Grand Prix debut later this year.

The German brand, which announced its F1 entry in August 2022, will make its race debut in Australia with a car powered by Audi’s first Formula 1 power unit.

Audi marked its arrival as a full works team with an event at Kraftwerk Berlin, attended by CEO Gernot Dollner, Audi F1 project head Mattia Binotto, team principal Jonathan Wheatley and drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

The Audi R26 features a titanium, carbon fibre...

Katy Perry and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have made their first major public appearance as a couple, arriving together at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The pair were photographed walking hand in hand at the Swiss summit, confirming months of speculation about their relationship.

Romance rumours first emerged in July 2025 after Perry and Trudeau were spotted dining together in Montreal, before taking their relationship public later in the year with appearances in Paris and on social media.

Perry announced her split from actor Orlando Bloom in July 2025, while Trudeau separated from his...

Iran has warned that any attack on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would amount to a declaration of holy war, according to a statement cited by the Iranian Students News Agency on Tuesday.

Iran’s parliamentary national security commission said such an act would provoke a jihad decree by Islamic scholars and a response from «Islam’s soldiers» worldwide.

The warning comes amid rising tensions with the United States following a harsh crackdown on protests inside Iran, after which U.S. President Donald Trump cautioned that Washington could respond.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that French President Emmanuel Macron...

Cristiano Ronaldo has won a high-profile legal dispute against Juventus after an Italian labour court ruled that the Portuguese forward is entitled to keep £8.5 mln in deferred wages. The Turin Labour Court upheld a previous arbitration decision, rejecting an appeal by the Serie A club and confirming that Juventus cannot recover the sum already paid.

The case stems from salary deferrals agreed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when players postponed payments as Juventus faced financial pressure. Ronaldo later argued he had been privately guaranteed the full amount of his deferred wages, a claim the club disputed. An arbitration...

China’s population declined for a fourth consecutive year in 2025, underscoring a deepening demographic crisis despite government efforts to boost births. Official data released on Monday showed the population fell to 1.404 bn, around three million fewer than in 2024. Birth rates dropped to a record low of 5.63 births per 1,000 people, with just 7.92 mln babies born last year, a 17% decline year on year, marking the lowest level since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

The figures highlight the long-term impact of the former one-child policy, abolished a decade ago, and...

Brooklyn Beckham has publicly addressed months of speculation about a rift with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, saying he does not wish to reconcile and accusing them of controlling media narratives about his life. In a series of Instagram stories, Beckham said he had remained silent for years but felt compelled to speak out to defend himself and his wife, Nicola Peltz, whom he described as «supportive.» He rejected claims that he is being controlled, adding that he is «standing up for myself for the first time in my life.»

Nicola Peltz comes from one...

The Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis approved changes to the personal data law to support Apple Pay and Google Pay.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev earlier said Uzbekistan would update legislation to enable international payment platforms to operate in the country.

The draft law sets out which categories of personal data must be stored within Uzbekistan and establishes rules for the secure processing and storage of data abroad.

The lower house of parliament said the changes are expected to help attract international payment systems, improve the investment climate, expand the digital services market and create modern payment options...

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne, claiming the move would pressure French President Emmanuel Macron to join his proposed Board of Peace.

Asked about Macron’s reported refusal to take part, Trump dismissed the French leader’s position and suggested he would soon leave office. He said the tariff threat could prompt Macron to join the initiative but added that participation was not mandatory.

A source close to Macron said France intends to decline the invitation at this stage.

Trump first floated the idea of a Board of Peace last September...

Uzbekistan exported around $773 mln worth of pipeline gas to China in 2025, TASS reports.

Russia remained the largest supplier, exporting $9.41 bn worth of gas to China, followed by Turkmenistan with $8.41 bn. Myanmar and Kazakhstan also supplied significant volumes, with exports valued at $1.53 bn and $1.13 bn respectively, placing Uzbekistan fifth among gas suppliers.

China’s overseas gas purchases totalled $21.1 bn in 2024, up 8.6% from 2023.

Kursiv also reports that Russia’s Gazprom reported a sharp rise in gas exports to Central Asia in 2025, increasing supplies to Uzbekistan by 22.2% over the year.

Gold futures for February delivery on the Comex exchange rose above $4,700 per troy ounce on January 20, according to Kommersant, setting a new record. The previous high of $4,600 was reached on January 14.

The precious metal has been rising in value since 2024, as investors view gold as a safe haven amid global tensions. Analysts at Goldman Sachs and Bank of America expect prices could exceed $5,000 per ounce this year.

In Uzbekistan, prices for gold bars start at 9.2 mln soums ($763.38) for a five-gram bar and 18.4 mln soums ($1,526.75) for a ten-gram bar. A...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects GDP in the Middle East and Central Asia to grow by 3.9% in 2026, according to its latest report.

The fund’s analysts predict the region’s economy will expand by 4% in the coming year. Global economic growth is expected to remain stable at 3.3% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027.

The IMF said the world economy should stay relatively steady as trade challenges are offset by strong investment in new technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Global inflation is forecast at 3.8% this year and 3.4% next year.

However, the IMF warned that trade disputes...

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham publicly rejected any possibility of reconciling with his family and accused his parents of orchestrating media attacks against him and his wife.

The eldest son of Sir David and Lady Beckham addressed long-standing speculation regarding a family feud in a series of social media posts. He claimed he had tried to keep the situation private but felt compelled to correct false narratives.

“I do not want to reconcile with my family,” he wrote.

He alleged that his parents and their team have consistently leaked false stories to the press to protect...

Universal Music Group (UMG) solidified its presence in the Chinese market by signing a multi-year distribution agreement with streaming giant NetEase Cloud Music. Announced on January 19, the deal ensures that the catalogues of massive global stars such as Taylor Swift will remain available on the NetEase platform.

The renewed partnership includes specific clauses addressing the growing field of artificial intelligence. Both organisations stated that these terms reflect a mutual dedication to “responsible AI practices” that prioritise the protection of human creativity and the rights of artists represented by UMG.

This collaboration builds upon a previous arrangement established in...

A surfer was bitten by a shark, marking the fourth attack along New South Wales’ coastline in under 48 hours.

The 39-year-old man sustained minor cuts after the shark bit through his board near Crescent Head on January 20 morning. Reports say he is in hospital in stable condition.

The incident follows three other attacks in Sydney over the past two days. Police said all beaches in Sydney’s northern area will remain closed until further notice.

Authorities believe recent heavy rains may have created a «perfect storm environment» for shark attacks, NSW Superintendent Joseph McNulty said. Rain can wash...

Haas have revealed their 2026 Formula 1 challenger in digital renders, showing a bold white-and-red livery a week before Shakedown Week in Barcelona.

The American team again chose an online launch rather than a dedicated event, with the car to be seen on track for the first time in Barcelona.

The team will keep the same driver line-up of Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman for their 11th season, with Ayao Komatsu remaining team principal. The reveal offered an early look at the new 2026 rules, which introduce smaller, lighter cars with engines split 50-50 between fuel and...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Tashkent on January 19 as she made a brief stop in the Uzbek capital.

The talks focused on practical steps to further strengthen the Uzbek-Italian strategic partnership and broaden cooperation across multiple areas.

Both sides welcomed steady progress in implementing agreements reached at the highest level during their meeting in Samarkand in May 2025. Officials noted that contacts remain active at various levels, with trade volumes and the number of joint ventures continuing to grow.

Regional cooperation is also expanding, including with Italy’s Lombardy region...

Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian fashion designer who founded the luxury house Valentino and helped define modern haute couture, has died at the age of 93, his foundation announced.

Garavani passed away at his home in Rome, surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement from the Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti. Tributes quickly poured in, led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who described him as an «eternal symbol of Italian high fashion».

Born in northern Italy in 1932, Garavani trained in Paris before opening his fashion house on Rome’s Via Condotti in 1960. He rose to international...

Three senior U.S . Catholic cardinals have urged the Trump administration to adopt a stronger moral framework in its foreign policy, warning that military action, territorial threats and cuts to foreign aid risk causing widespread human suffering rather than promoting peace.

In a rare joint statement, Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago, Robert McElroy of Washington and Joseph Tobin of Newark criticised recent U.S. actions and rhetoric, citing military involvement in Venezuela, threats to acquire Greenland and ongoing positions on Ukraine. They said such moves raised «basic questions about the use of military force and the meaning of peace».