News

Insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the "Al-Nasr" club has no intention of signing a contract with Chelsea's left-back Marc Cucurella. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. In recent days, there have been reports about "Al-Nasr," a representative of the Saudi Arabian championship, showing interest in the Spanish player. According to Romano, "Al-Nasr" has not made any offer to Marc Cucurella. The 27-year-old player has focused entirely on Chelsea and does not plan to leave the team. He is considered one of the key players of the team. According to Transfermarkt experts, Marc Cucurella's market value is estimated to be around 35 million euros. His current contract with Chelsea is set to last until mid-2028. Additionally, recently "Al-Nasr" reached an agreement for the transfer of another Chelsea representative – forward Joao Felix. This situation is one of the significant developments in the club's activities.

The St. Petersburg government has temporarily banned foreign citizens from working as taxi drivers in the city until the end of 2025. This was reported by Zamin.uz. The publication "Meduza" reported this based on information from the city administration. Officials emphasized that this restriction was introduced to create new jobs for Russian citizens and to enhance the safety of transport services. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov has signed a special decree. According to this decree, foreign citizens working on a patent will not be able to operate in the field of light taxi and rented vehicles. This restriction will remain in effect until the end of 2025. In this regard, only Russian citizens will be able to work as taxi drivers in the city for the next one and a half years. In connection with the introduction of the new regulation, taxi companies currently employing migrant drivers have been given a three-month transition period. During this period, they must terminate existing labor contracts and hire new drivers only from the local population. The decision will officially come into force on August 7, 2025. The city administration stated that this ban was adopted to improve the quality and safety of taxi services, as well as to create jobs for the local population. At the same time, attention will also be paid to maintaining economic and social stability in the city. Officials intend to analyze the social and economic effectiveness of this restriction by the end of 2025. Measures in this direction are also planned to be taken after 2026. This decision has been discussed for several months, and initially, it was intended to ban foreign citizens from courier activities starting from July 1, 2025. It should be noted that the introduction of restrictions on the employment of migrants in Russia is not a new phenomenon. Since 2015, various restrictions have been applied to foreign workers in different regions of the country. In particular, in the past year, the employment of migrants in the taxi sector has also been banned in Tatarstan, Kamchatka, and Omsk regions. The editorial team of Zamin.uz will regularly provide new information on this issue. Follow us.

The People's Republic of China is introducing new and effective measures aimed at population growth against the backdrop of a consistent decline in birth rates. This was reported by Zamin.uz. According to the new decision, parents will receive financial assistance of 3,600 yuan (approximately 500 dollars) per year for each child under the age of three in the country. This was officially announced by the Xinhua agency. This initiative will go down in history as the first nationwide child allowance implemented in China. Its main goal is to support families with children and increase the birth rate. According to analyses, approximately 20 million families will benefit from this allowance each year. The country's leadership is not making its first attempt to increase the birth rate. The "one family - one child" policy, which was in effect from the 1970s until 2015, had a negative impact on demographic balance. After this policy was abolished, China has been trying to raise the birth rate through various incentives. Additionally, the government is striving to change citizens' attitudes towards marriage and childbearing through social and ideological campaigns, in addition to financial assistance. For example, the idea of getting married and having children is being promoted at party meetings, encouraging single individuals to marry and families to have more children. However, according to official data, the birth rate in China continued to decline for the third consecutive year by the end of 2024. This necessitates the state to strengthen its efforts to combat the aging population issue. Experts believe that in promoting childbirth, not only financial assistance but also social infrastructure, including kindergartens, schools, the quality of medical services, and mechanisms to support women in balancing work and family life are of great importance. The Zamin.uz editorial team is closely monitoring China's new steps in demographic policy and will continue to analyze the impact of these changes on Uzbekistan and other countries.

The press service of "Uzbekistan Airports" provided information about the role of predatory birds in ensuring flight safety at the capital airport. This was reported by Upl.uz. Using cranes as one of the most effective and environmentally friendly methods to ensure air traffic safety is widely practiced. These specially trained predatory birds are an important part of the ornithological monitoring system, serving to reduce the risk of collisions between aircraft and birds. Airport staff continuously monitor the movements of birds in the aerodrome area and their gathering places. When a potential threat is identified, specially trained cranes are quickly dispatched to the hazardous area. The appearance of cranes triggers a self-defense instinct in other birds, forcing them to leave the dangerous area. As natural predators, cranes have a strong deterrent effect. Different species of birds require different management strategies during various seasons of the year. In summer, small birds are more common, while in winter, the number of cranes increases. Cranes are considered particularly intelligent and quickly adapt to auditory and visual deterrents. However, they still fear cranes, as their natural instinct drives them to be cautious of predators. For this reason, this biological method is considered one of the most effective and humane ways to reduce the risk of ornithological incidents in the airport area.

Uzbekistan Airports management company announced the results of its activities for the first half of 2025. This was reported by Upl.uz. During the reporting period, growth was recorded in all key indicators compared to the same period last year. In one and a half years, the republic's international airports served a total of 7,059,084 passengers. Of these, 1,252,724 used domestic flights, while 5,806,359 used international flights. This figure has increased by 10 percent compared to the first half of 2024, indicating the development of air transport activities in the country. The number of flights carried out at the airports also significantly increased, reaching 59,960. Of these, 17,553 were domestic flights, and 42,407 were international flights. According to the press service of Uzbekistan Airports, this growth is the result of attracting new airlines, opening new routes, continuously improving service quality, and expanding the network of routes. There is a stable interest in the country as a tourist and transit destination. The largest airport in Uzbekistan, Tashkent airport, received 4,587,253 passengers in the first half of the year. Of these, 3,966,590 were international, and 620,663 were domestic flights. At Tashkent airport, a total of 37,526 airline flights were carried out in 6 months, which is an 18 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Additionally, in the first half of the year, 38,863 tons of cargo and mail shipments were processed at the airports in the republic, which remained almost the same as last year. The number of airlines serving the country has reached 60. Of these, 7 are permanent resident airlines, and 12 are companies operating seasonal charter flights.

Real Madrid's central defender David Alaba is considered one of the candidates who may leave the team during the summer transfer window. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The Austrian player has only appeared on the field 14 times in the 2024/25 season due to injuries. Various sources have indicated that the Real Madrid management might attempt to part ways with the 33-year-old player during the current transfer window. However, according to the Onda Cero publication, the club does not want to expedite Alaba's departure. The team management highly values the player's professionalism. David Alaba himself wishes to stay at Real for at least one more season in the future. His current contract will expire in the middle of next year. Thus, the agreement between the club and the player remains intact, and Alaba is ready to continue his career at Real.

The second half of the Argentina championship, known as "Klausura," has begun. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. A unique record was set in the third round – eight games ended with a score of 0:0. Additionally, a total of five goals were scored in four games. Previously, this record was set in 1996 and repeated in 2016. Interestingly, the record could still increase, as three games have yet to be played. The champion of the first part, known as "Apertura," is the "Platense" club, which has won its first title in history. These events are generating great interest in Argentine football and are becoming memorable moments for fans. Throughout the championship, teams will continue to compete against each other.

Cristiano Ronaldo helped bring Chelsea striker Joao Felish to Al-Nasr club. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The 25-year-old player was close to returning to his former club Benfica, but a call from Ronaldo changed his decision. According to renowned football expert Fabrizio Romano, the 40-year-old striker convinced his Portugal national team teammate Joao Felish to move to Saudi Arabia. The agreement was reached within a few days. Joao Felish is currently participating in training with the Al-Nasr team, but the official transfer has not yet been confirmed. According to available information, a two-year contract will be signed with the player. Chelsea could earn approximately 50 million euros from this transfer, along with bonuses. This move is expected to mark a new stage in the player's career and generate significant interest in Saudi Arabian football.

The Simeone family has an inseparable legacy connection with Madrid's Atlético club. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The current head coach of the club, Diego Simeone, played for this team in the 1990s. Today, he not only manages the club but is also working with his son, Juliano Simeone. Juliano dreams of achieving great success at the Madrid club. Juliano Simeone says about his goals: "The club is thirsty for trophies. This is not only the desire of the coach but also of the president. We all strive for success. I feel that I lack a bit of precision in striking the opponent's goal, and I am working on that. My biggest dream is to play for the Argentina national team in the World Cup. I also want to be a winner of the Champions League." Juliano Simeone's words were quoted by derbyderbyderby.com. Thus, the Simeone family is deeply connected to Madrid's Atlético club and aims to achieve great successes in the future.

"Atletico Mineiro" club commented on the interest of "Moscow Spartak" team in left-back Gilyerme Arana. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. On Monday, rumors spread about the possibility of the 28-year-old player moving to Russia. The press service of the Brazilian club emphasized in an exclusive interview with "Euro-Futbol.ru" that there is no information regarding this matter. The contract between Gilyerme Arana and "Atletico Mineiro" is valid until the end of 2027. The Transfermarkt portal values the player at 10 million euros. Since 2021, Arana has played in 13 matches for the Brazilian national team. This information provides a clear picture of the player's performance and potential future transfer.

Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny plays for the Catalan club "Barcelona" and has stated that the attacking style of the team's current head coach Hans Flick does not fully suit him. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. According to Szczęsny, he prefers a more conservative, cautious style of play. In his opinion, while "Barcelona's" current game is very beautiful and entertaining for the fans, this style does not align with his personal taste. Even the team's successes have not changed his opinion. In the new season, "Barcelona" will participate in the Spanish championship as the reigning champion. The team will play its first match against "Mallorca" on August 16. Szczęsny expressed his thoughts in an interview with Foot Truck publication. He spoke openly and clearly about the stylistic aspects of the game. Szczęsny's words indicate that there are different views on the style of play within the team. For "Barcelona" fans, however, the team's attacking play is still considered the most enjoyable and interesting.

Dortmund's "Borussia" club may join the list of competitors for Manchester United's winger Jadon Sancho. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. Recently, the main contender for the 25-year-old player was Juventus, but an agreement on the contract terms with the Turin club was not reached. Currently, Borussia is considering the possibility of signing a contract with Sancho. According to journalist Patrick Berger, representatives of the "Black and Yellows" discussed the player's candidacy in an internal meeting. On the Transfermarkt website, Jadon Sancho's value is estimated at 28 million euros. The "Red Devils" are expected to demand a compensation fee of around 17-20 million euros. Sancho played for Borussia from 2017 to 2021, after which he transferred to Manchester United for 85 million euros. From January to June 2024, he played on loan at the Dortmund club. This situation indicates that the player maintains his connections with Dortmund and increases the likelihood of his return. The club's management and coaches are actively discussing Sancho's transfer to strengthen the team.

Fabio Vieira, the attacking midfielder of London's Arsenal team, is in the spotlight of other clubs in the English Premier League. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The Arsenal team does not have confidence in the 25-year-old player and is ready to accept offers for his transfer. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, West Ham has added Vieira to its transfer plans. Although the West Ham management has shown interest in the Portuguese player, official negotiations have not yet begun. Last season, Fabio Vieira played on loan at Portugal's Porto club. He made 42 appearances for the Porto team, scoring five goals and providing six assists. According to Transfermarkt, the player's market value is approximately 22 million euros. Currently, Arsenal is ready to sell him and is looking for an opportunity to reach an agreement with a new team. This situation indicates that a new chapter may open in the player's career.

Denis Ugarov, a former player of the St. Petersburg "Zenit" team, expressed his thoughts on the match against the "Rubin" team in the second round of the Russian championship. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The "Zenit" and "Rubin" teams played to a 2:2 draw. According to Ugarov, this result is not satisfactory for the team. He assessed going ahead 2:0 and finishing the match in a draw as contrary to the pre-season goals. Currently, the "Zenit" team is in sixth place in the league table with 4 points. Last season, the team failed to secure the championship title, finishing just 1 point behind "Krasnodar." In the next match, the "Zenit" team, led by Sergey Semak, will face CSKA on August 3. Before this match, a game against the "Akhmat" team in the group stage of the Russian Cup is scheduled for July 30. These matches are of significant importance for the team's results this season.

Reports are circulating that left-back Marc Cucurella may move to Saudi Arabia. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. Although there are reports that Al-Nassr club has recently shown interest in the 27-year-old player, journalist Ben Jacobs states that London’s Chelsea team will not consider offers for the Spanish player in the current transfer window. Marc Cucurella has been playing for Chelsea since the summer of 2022, and his current contract expires at the end of the 2027/28 season. Last season, the player appeared in 54 matches across all competitions under the management of Enzo Mareska, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. The Transfermarkt portal estimates his market value at 35 million euros. Currently, there is no information about serious negotiations regarding Cucurella's transfer. Chelsea is striving to retain the player.

Former "Zenit" player Aleksey Igonin expressed doubts about the possibility of defender Danila Krugovoy returning to the St. Petersburg team. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. Igonin emphasized that a mutual desire is necessary for Krugovoy to return to St. Petersburg. Currently, the player is performing well at CSKA and is not considering such an option. Krugovoy played for "Zenit" from 2016 to 2024, but spent one season playing for the "Ufa" team. Since last summer, he joined CSKA as a free agent and has played 34 matches for his new team, scoring 4 goals and providing 6 assists. Thus, Krugovoy currently feels comfortable in his new team, and the likelihood of his return to St. Petersburg is low.

Napoli is not abandoning its plan to buy Juventus midfielder Fabio Miretti. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. According to journalist Gianmarco Jordano, Juventus management is ready to sell the 21-year-old player for 20 million euros. Napoli, on the other hand, values the player at around 12-13 million euros and does not want to make a higher offer. Currently, no agreement has been reached between the two clubs, but negotiations are ongoing and the situation may change. Fabio Miretti spent last season on loan at Genoa. He played 25 matches in Serie A, scoring three goals and providing three assists. Transfermarkt specialists estimate his market value at 14 million euros. At the same time, negotiations between Napoli and Juventus will influence the decision regarding the player's future. Fabio Miretti's youth and potential make him a subject of serious interest. The player is eager to prove himself in a new team to continue his career at a high level. Currently, negotiations are being conducted considering the interests of both clubs regarding an agreement.

Former striker Tomas Myuller will continue his career in MLS. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The 35-year-old player has nearly agreed on contract terms with the Vancouver Whitecaps, journalist Ben Jacob reports. If no unexpected circumstances arise, the famous German footballer will join the Canadian team in the coming days. Tomas Myuller spent over 25 years in the Bayern system. He played 756 matches for the club, scoring 250 goals and providing 276 assists. These results made him one of the most successful players in the club's history. Currently, the Vancouver Whitecaps are in second place in the MLS Western Conference, having collected 45 points from 24 games. The club aims to enhance the team's competitiveness by adding Tomas Myuller to their ranks. This transfer is expected to be a significant boost for the team.

The forward of Moscow CSKA team, Artyom Shumanskiy, has been sidelined for several weeks due to a muscle injury. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The club's communications director, Kirill Breydo, announced this. According to Breydo, Shumanskiy has injured his hamstring muscles. His return to the field is expected to take approximately several weeks. This injury temporarily limits the player's ability to assist the team. It is worth noting that Shumanskiy started in the main lineup during the match between CSKA and "Akhmat" in the second round of the Premier League. However, he had to be substituted at the beginning of the second half. In the current season, Artyom has played a total of 217 minutes in three matches, showcasing his abilities under the guidance of head coach Fabio Chelestini. Currently, his health and quick return to the field are considered crucial for the team.

The international flight schedule from Tashkent International Airport for July 29, 2025, has been announced. This was reported by Zamin.uz. On this day, several flights to various destinations are planned from the airport. Flights will start at 06:45 to New York (JFK International Airport). After that, flights to Sochi, Ufa, and Istanbul (Istanbul International Airport) will be carried out. At 08:00, flights to Dushanbe, and at 08:05 to Tbilisi and Moscow (Domodedovo Airport) will take off. The next flights are directed to Almaty, Dubai, and St. Petersburg. At 10:00, there are flights to Antalya, and at 11:10 to London (Heathrow Airport). During the day, flights to Moscow (Vnukovo Airport), Paris, Tel Aviv, Bishkek, Astana, and Baku will be carried out. In the evening, flights to Istanbul, Moscow (Vnukovo), Urumqi, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and Kazan will take off. At 19:20, flights to Moscow (Domodedovo), at 20:40 to Almaty, at 22:25 to Seoul, and at 23:50 to Cam Ranh are scheduled. This schedule is taken from the official sources of Tashkent airport and provides convenient and accurate information for travelers (source: zamin.uz)

From September 15 to 19, 2025, the hot water supply will be temporarily suspended in certain areas of eight districts of Tashkent city. This was reported by Zamin.uz. This was reported by Kursiv.media. The hot water outage is related to preventive maintenance work carried out by Veolia Energy Tashkent as part of preparations for the heating season. The areas where the hot water supply will be cut off include: Yashnobod district, including Qorasuv, Beshariq, Birlashgan, Elbek, Asalobod, Quruvchilar, Uysizlar, Parkent, Chulpon, Alimkent streets, as well as massifs from Tuzel-1 to 4, Uysizlar-1, Asalobod-1 and 2, and Aviasozlar township. In Mirobod, Yunusobod, Shaykhontohur, and Yakkasaray districts, hot water supply will be stopped in areas including Amir Temur and Mustaqillik avenues, Sharof Rashidov, Navoi, Babur, Glinka, Shota Rustaveli, Bogiboston, and Arnasoy streets, among other locations. In Chilonzor district, hot water supply will be cut off in Katta Chilonzor, Muqimi, Seoul, and Choponota streets, as well as in TS-1, 2, 4, 5, 7, Oqtepa, Chilonzor (1-5, 7, E, I), Qushbegi, Boshliq, and Uchuvchilar townships. Additionally, some areas in Sergeli and Mirzo Ulugbek districts will also experience hot water outages. Citizens are asked to use water wisely during this period and take necessary precautions. The hot water supply will be restored once the preventive maintenance work is completed. Source: Kursiv.media

A new bus route No. 177 has been launched in Tashkent city and region to improve transport services. This was reported by Zamin.uz. This route was established within the framework of ensuring road traffic safety and developing infrastructure. Starting from September 16, 2025, this route serving passengers begins from the Iftikhor neighborhood of Tashkent region and runs to the Chorsu metro station in the city center. This new route provides residents of the region with convenient and fast access to the city center. A total of eight modern buses operate on this route. They are King Long XMQ 6900EGW medium-capacity vehicles, 9.5 meters long, meeting high standards of quality and safety. The buses operate daily from 05:30 to 23:17. This allows passengers to use regular and reliable transport services from morning till evening. With the launch of the new route, significant convenience and time savings will be ensured for those traveling from the region to the capital. At the same time, road traffic safety will be increased and the efficiency of the city's transport system will be improved. This information has been confirmed by the zamin.uz website.

Recently, many rumors have been spreading about the relationship between the famous Turkish actress Hande Erchel and entrepreneur Hakan Sabanji. This was reported by Zamin.uz. In particular, news about the couple's divorce has sparked great interest among fans. Hakan Sabanji, who spoke for the first time on the Gel Konuşalım program, responded to the claims regarding their relationship. Although he did not want to talk extensively about his personal life, he clarified some of the rumors. Hakan Sabanji emphasized that he does not want to discuss the issue of divorce because it concerns their private life. He also stated that the rumors about infidelity are completely unfounded. Earlier, Hande Erchel had deleted all photos with Sabanji from her social media pages. This became the basis for reports in the Turkish press about their divorce. The famous journalist Birsen Altuntaş highlighted that there are serious disagreements between the couple, but the official divorce has not yet occurred. Nevertheless, Hande and Hakan still follow each other on social media. While some fans hope for the restoration of their relationship, others speculate that this process might simply be publicity for the media.

An unusual and interesting event took place in the city of Szekszárd, Hungary – the 18th International Grave Digging Championship. This was reported by Zamin.uz. This competition was organized by the country's Grave Diggers Association based on a clear plan and order. The event served to enhance the prestige of the profession. Participants took part in teams of two. They were given two hours. During this time, each team had to dig a grave measuring 200x80 centimeters and 160 centimeters deep. These rules required not only skill but also attention and speed from the participants. At the end of the championship, the Parakletosz Nonprofit team was declared the winner. This team won the championship for the second consecutive year, demonstrating their thorough preparation and high professional level. According to the organizers, such competitions not only raise the prestige of the profession but also introduce the younger generation to professional specialists up close. They also help participants develop teamwork skills and the ability to work in a healthy competitive environment. These events are of great importance for improving professional qualifications and further developing the field.

Famous footballer Edgar Davids, who played for Juventus in past years, learned that his acquaintance Nabila Habibi committed theft. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The ad.nl portal provided information about this. According to the publication, Davids found out several years later that his painting collection had been stolen. He had entrusted the collection to a trusted person. For a while, Habibi also lived in his house. While Davids believed the collection was kept in a safe place, Habibi stole 37 paintings, pawned them at various pawnshops, and received approximately 30 thousand euros. In 2017, when Habibi was unable to repay her debts, the pawnshops gained the right to sell the paintings. One of the buyers saw Davids' name on the back of a painting and contacted him through social networks. After that, Davids filed a lawsuit. Habibi admitted to the theft. Earlier, she had faced problems related to criminal cases and had left her acquaintance after taking 3500 euros from him.

According to the President's decree, the ToshTech Technical University will be established in Tashkent city. This was reported by Zamin.uz. This new higher education institution will play an important role in developing modern engineering knowledge in our country and training competitive specialists. According to the decree, the university will have full independence in academic, financial, and organizational management matters. This will allow the educational process to be organized in accordance with international standards. Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, a one-year preparatory course will be opened at the expense of the state budget. This course will help applicants prepare for complex subjects. From the next year, that is, the 2026-2027 academic year, bachelor's degree programs will begin operating at the university. Students will have the opportunity to receive education in modern subjects. Additionally, from the 2027-2028 academic year, master's and postgraduate programs will also be gradually introduced. Studying at the university will be organized on the basis of state grants and tuition contracts. Classes will be conducted not only in Uzbek but also in foreign languages. This will enable students to gain international experience and expand their knowledge further. The most important aspect is that all students admitted by the 2029-2030 academic year will receive completely free education based on state grants. Through this initiative, ToshTech Technical University will play a significant role in enhancing the engineering and research potential of our country, as well as creating new opportunities for young people (source: zamin.uz).

Since the law banning marriages between relatives came into effect in Azerbaijan in July 2025, the number of weddings has significantly decreased. This was reported by Zamin.uz. For example, while more than 5,000 marriages were registered in June, this figure dropped to 2,694 in July. Experts associate these changes closely with the enforcement of the law prohibiting marriages between close relatives. According to the law, marriage is completely prohibited between children of brothers and sisters who share a common grandfather or grandmother, as well as between biological cousins. The main goal of this law is to reduce the number of children born with genetic defects and to ensure a healthy generation. Medical specialists emphasize that marriages between relatives often lead to hereditary diseases, which negatively affect the health of future generations. According to data from the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan, from January to July 2025, 12,146 divorce cases were recorded in the country, a slight decrease compared to the previous year. The divorce rate per 1,000 people dropped from 2.1 to 2.0. In accordance with the new law, individuals applying for marriage registration are required to submit their birth certificates and their parents' documents to determine the degree of kinship. If a violation of the law is detected, administrative or criminal liability will be imposed for such cases. These regulations serve to build a healthy and stable society.

One of the largest demonstrations in history took place in the city of London. This was reported by Zamin.uz. According to information, approximately 1.5 million people took to the streets under the slogan "Unite the Kingdom." This large rally began in the Sazerk district located on the southern bank of the Thames River. The demonstrators headed towards the city center, moving towards the Whitehall government building. They crossed Westminster Bridge and gathered on the street in front of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's headquarters, which was the main assembly point. According to the organizers, this major movement was organized by Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League movement. People gathered on the streets of London carried various placards, slogans, and calls. Observers noted that this demonstration could have a serious impact on the political processes of the United Kingdom. Moreover, the demonstration was recognized as a historic event not only because of the number of participants but also due to its organization and political diversity. This movement is expected to mark the beginning of a new era in the country's political environment. Widely supported by the residents of London, this demonstration became a vivid example of political activism and unity.