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Expedia unveils its 2027 destinations of the year – and only two are in Europe

South Lake Tahoe in California has just been named Expedia’s 2027 Destination of the Year, with searches up 195% compared to 2025. North America’s largest alpine lake offers skiing in the winter and kayaking or paddleboarding come summer, making it a perfect year-round destination. The 10 destinations chosen by the group in its Unpack ’27 trends report span North America, South America, Asia and Australasia – with only two in Europe. Hyogo in Japan claimed second place, with searches up 95%.

Scientists discover why animals gather more around dead elephants

An international team led by a University of California, Santa Barbara scientist studied how elephant carcasses affect the savanna ecosystem. Examining 40 sites with remains up to 7.7 years old, they found soil ammonia up to 31 times higher (nearly 3,000 times at fresh sites), nitrates seven times and phosphorus three times higher. High ammonia proved toxic to plants, reducing plant and microbial diversity, yet surviving grasses were 1.5 times richer in nitrogen, attracting impalas and wildebeest that grazed there about three times more, even seven years after the elephant's death.

Gothic getaways, un-adulting and trip snacking: Expedia ‘unpacks’ its top travel trends for 2027

‘Tis the season. No, not that season – there are still 11 weeks until Christmas. Not Halloween, either, or even Gilmore Girls-rewatch time. We’re of course referring to the glorious season when all the industry trends reports are released, and the latest travel company to share its predictions is Expedia Group. Pulling on insights from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, as well as a survey of 26,000 travellers across 16 countries, plus social media data, Unpack ’27 has identified five key travel tr

FIFA proposes €5.5bn football development fund amid Infantino scrutiny

FIFA will propose a $6.35 billion (€5.5 billion) four-year development fund, including $25 million (€21.5 million) for each national association, according to news agency Associated Press (AP). On 28 September, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent the proposal to the heads of football's six continental confederations. The plan is expected to be finalised by the FIFA Council in December and approved at its congress in March, according to a letter reviewed by AP. “Taken together, your submission

New missiles designed to intercept even hypersonic missiles unveiled in the US

Anduril has unveiled the Steelfin missile family, built on a single architecture and common manufacturing process, designed to counter aerial threats from cheap drones to hypersonic missiles. The family uses a two-stage scheme with interchangeable boosters and kill vehicles, including hit-to-kill and fragmentation-explosive variants. Flight tests are planned for 2027, though key performance figures have not been disclosed.

Uzbekistan's spending on education has grown 2.1 times over five years

In 2025, public spending on education in Uzbekistan reached 84.2 trillion soums, 2.1 times more than in 2021, according to the National Statistics Committee. Spending rose steadily from 39.6 trillion soums in 2021 to 71.2 trillion in 2024, an increase of 44.6 trillion soums over five years.

One person died after a mudflow swept away a car in Qashqadaryo

On October 13, a mudflow in the mountainous areas of Dehqonobod district of the Qashqadaryo region claimed one life. A Damas car that had lost its way stopped in an area where mudflow waters pass, slid into a deeper part of the channel, and was swept away along with a passenger. The passenger's body was found during search and rescue operations. Earlier, Uzhydromet had warned of possible mudflows and flooding on October 13–14 in several districts of a number of regions.

Uzbek citizens who went to work in Russia and faced financial hardship have been brought back

According to the Dunyo news agency, Uzbek citizens who went to work in Russia and found themselves in financial hardship have been returned home. Among those who received practical assistance were A.M., K.M., Y.N. and V.A. Their return to Uzbekistan was arranged via the Vladivostok–Tashkent flight on October 13. The report noted that support was provided to compatriots in a difficult life situation and their legal interests were protected.

Money laundering failures land Bank of America with a $1.2 billion fine

The US Treasury Department said on Tuesday that it had imposed a $1.2bn (€1.07bn) fine on Bank of America for anti-money laundering failures. "When a bank of this size fails to meet its anti-money laundering and sanctions obligations, the consequences extend far beyond its own walls, exposing the entire U.S. financial system to significant illicit finance risks," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. "Today's actions send a clear message that even the biggest financial instituti

Puma's Hunt and Sleep on the Ice: The Best Wildlife Photos Selected

The Naked Science publication presented a curated selection of photos from the winners and works highly rated by the jury. They depict predators' hunts, animals caring for their young, and unexpected encounters in nature.

Brian Cox awarded 2026 Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication

Cox was presented with the award at a private ceremony at the Royal Astronomical Society in London on 2 October, by co-founders of Starmus, Sir Brian May and astrophysicist Garik Israelian. STARMUS is a global platform for science, art, and human inspiration that brings together some of the most brilliant minds on the planet. The medal, established by Starmus with Stephen Hawking a decade ago, honours outstanding science communicators across disciplines and creative forms – from literature and

A drug laboratory was uncovered in a residence in Gulistan

A drug laboratory was uncovered in a residence in Gulistan. Three local citizens born in 2003 and 2005 are suspected of processing and selling potent substances. Pregabalin, empty capsules, electronic scales and other items were seized. A criminal case has been initiated under Article 276¹, Part 2, subparagraph 'b' of the Criminal Code, and pretrial detention has been applied to the suspects.

New benefits for greenhouse owners: a 50 percent tax reduction proposed

Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on introducing 'green' technologies in greenhouses. Proposals include a 50 percent reduction in land and property taxes for household greenhouses until 2030, exemption from turnover tax, compensation for half of electricity costs of energy-saving systems, grants of up to 100 million soums, preferential loans of up to 300 million soums for new eco-friendly greenhouses and up to 150 million soums for re-equipping existing ones, as well as greenhouses for needy families in 50 mahallas specializing in greenhouse farming.

France’s emissions are falling as fuel prices soar. Why is it still missing climate targets?

France is getting an unexpected boost in its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, but it comes with a catch consumers are feeling at the fuel pump. Soaring fuel prices caused by the war in Iran have prompted people to buy less diesel and cut down on their gas use at home. That has helped bring emissions down 4.1 per cent in the first half of 2026, according to Citepa, a French organisation that measures air pollution and greenhouse gases to track the country’s environmental impact. France

В Китае запущена сверхвысоковольтная линия электропередачи для передачи атомной энергии в Шаньдуне

В китайской провинции Шаньдун введена в строй магистральная линия электропередачи сверхвысокого напряжения, предназначенная для передачи энергии, вырабатываемой атомными станциями на полуострове Яньтай—Вэйхай. Длина линии в однопроводном эквиваленте составляет 1197 км, она проходит через Яньтай, Циндао, Чжаоюань (по данным источника — Jichjao), Вэйфан и Линьи. Со ссылкой на Naked Science сообщается, что построена новая подстанция на 1000 кВ и расширены две существующие, установлено 2124 опоры, из них 822 в холмистой и горной местности и 17 в морской акватории. Активная фаза строительства заняла 12 месяцев — самый короткий срок для подобных проектов переменного тока в стране.

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"No one is helping". Family whose house was destroyed in a heavy machinery accident in Chirchiq demands compensation

On September 10, a semi-trailer carrying cotton harvesters detached from its truck on Sadriddin Ayniy street in Chirchiq and crashed into the private home of an elderly couple, Gulbi Turdiqulova and Abduvali Berdibekov. More than a month later, the family has received no official damage assessment, no information on who was found responsible, and gas supply has not been restored.

Candidates for work in Japan are expected to be screened at the center in Angren

According to the Dunyo news agency, issues of cooperation were discussed at a meeting at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Japan with the management of Proud Partners. The negotiations focused on expanding the activities of the Uzbekistan Proud Academy - UPA center in Angren, which trains Uzbek youth in the Japanese language and professional skills for subsequent employment in Japan. Japanese employers are expected to visit the center, familiarize themselves with its infrastructure, and conduct selection interviews with candidates. The exact date of the interviews, requirements for candidates, and the application procedure were not disclosed.

Winter energy bills: Where are gas and electricity prices highest in Europe?

European gas prices hit their highest level in nearly four years on Tuesday, adding to concerns over winter energy costs as storage levels remain low. Dutch TTF benchmark gas futures reached €87.20 per megawatt-hour, up from about €32 on the eve of the Iran war. The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas. While petrol and diesel prices have already hit records across the EU, hou

Price of liquefied gas for the population may rise 2.5-fold, with the difference compensated for those in need

The Ministry of Economy and Finance has proposed raising the retail price of liquefied gas for households from 2,000 to 5,000 soums per kilogram with VAT, plus a capped delivery fee of 1,300 soums. Families in need would receive a 3,000 soum per kilogram compensation for up to 20 kg monthly, capped at 60,000 soums. The government cites insufficient supply, declining domestic production, growing imports and rising demand for propane as reasons for the increase.

Greenhouses around Tashkent want to keep coal heating. The filters do not yet meet the standards

The National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change reported on proposals from greenhouse farms in Tashkent city and region to switch to clean heating technologies. Complaints about air pollution from coal-heated greenhouses have increased. Entrepreneurs propose using modern certified boilers with filtration systems and real-time emissions monitoring, or switching to gas, electricity, geothermal and solar energy. Tests of a pilot filtration system based on Chinese technologies conducted on September 30 and October 8 showed it does not meet safe emission standards. A package of subsidies and tax benefits is planned for those switching to "green greenhouses," while the ban on greenhouses without environmentally safe heating in the capital's region remains.

Ракета попала в девятиэтажный дом в Киеве: 16 пострадавших, Зелensky говорит об ударе по энергетике

По данным DW и мэра Киева Виталия Кличко, ракета попала в девятиэтажный дом в Деснянском районе Киева, пожар охватил нижние восемь этажей; 16 человек госпитализированы, четверо в тяжёлом состоянии. Владимир Зеленский заявил, что целью была 4-я теплоэлектроцентраль, и что партнёры не предупредили о пуске российских баллистических ракет. Дональд Трамп опроверг сообщения о прекращении передачи разведданных и заявил, что нарушения энергпаузы были с обеих сторон.

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Three days of 12-hour work, the rest off: Merz supports a flexible work regime

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke at the 'Employers' Day' event in Berlin organized by the BDA, advocating flexible working hours, including 12-hour shifts three days a week. He argued this benefits both companies and employees. The government is preparing a law setting weekly rather than daily maximum working hours. New Labor and Social Affairs Minister Alexander Schweitzer will finalize the draft and also faces pension reform, after predecessor Bärbel Bas stepped down.

"Global health is a team sport": World Health Summit in Berlin

In recent years the threats have increased, crises have multiplied. Health policy now has to rely on multilateral cooperation, explained Professor Dr Pries at the World Health Summit in Berlin. Global health, he said, is a team sport. For six years, Prof Dr Axel R. Pries has been president of the World Health Summit (WHS) in Berlin. The physician and physiologist previously served as dean and board member of Charité. In this interview with Euronews, Pries outlines one way to strengthen the resi

In Uzbekistan, a procedure has been established for accepting certain important facilities directly for use

The government resolution No. 560 of October 12, 2026 amended the administrative regulation for state services on the handover-acceptance of completed construction facilities and issuance of permission for use. Under the resolution, a State Acceptance Commission is formed by the Cabinet of Ministers and a working commission by the customers. Facilities are accepted directly for use based on the processed and approved acts of these commissions. Before the State Acceptance Commission's act is processed, the State Financial Control Inspectorate conducts a mandatory control measurement at the construction site.