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A major mafia leader operating in South America has been arrested. This was reported by Zamin.uz. The Colombian police have detained an individual named Giuseppe Palermo from Italy. He organized drug trafficking in Latin America and managed the supply chain to Europe. Palermo is considered one of the leaders of a criminal group called "Ndrangheta." This group was formed in Italy's Calabria region and is recognized as one of the most dangerous and wealthy mafia organizations in the world. Palermo, who was wanted internationally by Interpol, was captured in a public place in Bogota. The operation, conducted in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Colombia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Europe, was successfully completed. According to Carlos Fernando Triana, the head of the Colombian police, Palermo played a significant role in the cocaine supply chain from South America to Europe. He managed the sale, storage, and distribution of drugs in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. Additionally, he controlled smuggling to the European market via sea and land routes. According to UN data for 2023, the global volume of illegal cocaine production has reached 3,708 tons, which is a 34 percent increase compared to 2022. This increase is mainly related to the expansion of coca plantations in Colombia. Experts estimate that the cocaine market has an annual turnover of over 500 billion dollars. The arrest of Giuseppe Palermo dealt a significant blow to the international drug trafficking chain. His case will now be reviewed in international courts. There are criminal charges against Palermo in several countries, and this process will be in the spotlight of the global community. This arrest is considered a major achievement for Europe and South America.

On July 13, 2025, the schedule for international flights from Tashkent International Airport was announced. This was reported by Zamin.uz. According to this schedule, flights to various destinations are set from Tashkent. The first flight to Moscow (Vnukovo) will take off at 06:00 in the morning. Additionally, flights to New York (JFK Airport) and Dalaman are planned at 06:45. Starting from 07:00, there will be flights to cities such as Vladivostok, Sochi, Baku, Istanbul, Irkutsk, Dushanbe, Tbilisi, and Tel Aviv. In the evening hours, several flights will continue as well. For example, at 17:00 another flight to Moscow (Vnukovo), at 18:40 to St. Petersburg, at 19:15 to Delhi, at 20:00 to Novosibirsk, at 22:25 to Seoul, and at 23:40 to Kuala Lumpur will take off. Overall, regular international flights to various destinations are carried out throughout the day from Tashkent International Airport. These routes include extensive flights to cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, providing convenient opportunities for travelers. Website users can plan their flights in advance based on this schedule

On July 8, a road traffic accident occurred in the capital, resulting in a young child sustaining serious injuries. This was reported by Upl.uz. The incident took place in the Shaykhontohur district of Tashkent city, on Kukcha Darvoza street, around 13:30, according to the press service of the Road Traffic Safety Department. Preliminary information indicates that the driver of a Tico brand vehicle, F. X., hit an underage pedestrian. The injured child, A. Sh., born in 2022, was attempting to cross the road at an unauthorized location. The video recorder of a car that witnessed the incident captured the event. The video shows the child suddenly stepping onto the road and appearing in front of moving traffic. During the investigation, another important aspect was identified: the injured child had freely exited a nearby preschool educational institution. The gate of the preschool educational institution was not locked for unknown reasons. This situation will be the subject of a separate investigation. Immediately after the incident, necessary first aid was provided to the child, and he was urgently taken to the hospital. As of the morning of July 9, the child's condition is very serious; he is in a comatose state and requires complex surgical intervention. Currently, law enforcement agencies are continuing investigative actions to clarify all the details of the incident. At the conclusion of the investigation, the actions of the driver and the responsible individuals for the safety of the preschool educational institution will be legally assessed. Children aged 7-8 years do not have well-developed peripheral vision. They cannot fully assess the situation on the sides and only see what is in front of them. Therefore, they may see an approaching vehicle but fail to notice it. Additionally, they cannot accurately determine the speed and distance of a moving object. For this reason, it is important to teach children the rules of road traffic and monitor their movements.

The traditional hunting season against large pythons in Florida – Florida Python Challenge 2025 has begun. This was reported by Zamin.uz. USA Today reported on this. The hunt started on July 11 at 00:00 and will continue until July 20. During this period, U.S. citizens are primarily directed to hunt Burmese pythons. The pythons are causing significant damage to Florida's natural environment. They disrupt the ecosystem by eliminating birds, mammals, and small reptiles. Therefore, this hunting event is considered to be of great importance. Within the framework of Florida Python Challenge 2025, competitions will be held in several categories. The main prize amounts to $10,000, which is approximately 125 million soums. Last year, American hunters managed to catch over 1,100 pythons. However, according to the data from the "Okhotniki.ru" portal, the number of pythons is growing at a much higher rate than the speed at which they are being hunted. For this reason, it is necessary for this hunting event to continue and expand. The fight against pythons in Florida is an important measure for preserving nature.

According to the press service of the Andijan region police department, measures have been taken against 12 offenders. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 7 of this year, a video was circulated on social media showing a citizen born in 1991 and his 11 acquaintances creating various emergency situations on the roads. These individuals violated social norms and engaged in petty hooliganism. Their goal was to create a humorous video about "Damas" car drivers, in which they demonstrated the possibility of hitting a person as a group. In connection with this incident, an administrative protocol was drawn up for each driver under the article of the Administrative Responsibility Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding "creating obstacles or emergency situations by vehicle drivers, entering the opposite lane of the road." A fine of 3,750,000 soums will be imposed on each of them. Additionally, the Andijan city criminal court reviewed this case under the article of "petty hooliganism" and sentenced each offender to 7 days of administrative imprisonment. All vehicles belonging to the offenders were placed in the impound lot.

A video selector meeting dedicated to ensuring road traffic safety has begun under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This was reported by Upl.uz. During the meeting, it was noted that a complicated situation regarding road traffic accidents has been observed in Uzbekistan during the first six months of this year. The number of road traffic accidents remains high in 20 regions of the country, while in other regions, safety indicators have significantly improved. The number of serious road traffic accidents has sharply decreased in the districts of Muynak, Nukus, Taxtakupir, Kanlikul, Yangiobod, Turakurgan, Akkurgan, Sayxunobod, Bulakbashi, Ulug‘nor, and Bandixon. Additionally, in the cities of Ohangaron, Shirin, Nurafshon, and Xonobod, no fatalities have occurred over the past six months. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the measures implemented in these areas. However, the situation remains complicated in the districts of Qiziltepa, Uychi, Paxtaobod, Chust, Toyloq, Urgut, Shovot, Pastdarg‘om, Yakkabog‘, Qo‘shkupir, Xonqa, Denov, Peshko‘r, Beruniy, as well as in the Olmazor and Bektemir districts of Tashkent city. State leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that although the death rate from road traffic accidents per hundred thousand population is one of the lowest among the CIS countries, this situation should not be an excuse for complacency. He stated: “Unfortunately, every fourth accident claims at least one life. On average, six people die every day. This should be a serious concern for all of us.” These remarks indicate the need to further intensify efforts to enhance road traffic safety.

A video selector meeting has started under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to improve road traffic safety, enhance road infrastructure, and reduce traffic congestion. This was reported by Upl.uz. As noted in the meeting, the damage caused by road traffic accidents in Uzbekistan accounts for 0.4 percent of the gross domestic product. The situation on the roads continues to be a serious concern. Last year, 9,364 road traffic accidents occurred in the country. As a result of these unfortunate incidents, approximately 9,000 people were injured, and 2,203 people lost their lives. The highest number of fatalities was recorded in Samarkand, Tashkent, and Fergana regions. It was emphasized that comprehensive measures are necessary to address these issues.

Information was published by the press service of the Tashkent city Emergency Situations Department. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 9, 2024, at approximately 18:55, the Tashkent city Emergency Situations Department received a report about a fire that broke out in an under-construction apartment building on Maxtumquli Street in the Yashnobod district. Firefighting service personnel arrived at the scene within 10 minutes and began extinguishing the fire. At 19:16, it was reported that the fire was completely extinguished. As a result of the fire, the builders' bedding items burned in an area of 20 square meters on the first floor of the construction. No one was harmed. The Emergency Situations Department emphasized that the information about the fire occurring in the Technopark area is not true.

The press service of the State Security Service reported that the deputy prosecutor of Gulistan city in the Sirdaryo region was caught taking a bribe in his office. This was reported by Upl.uz. It has been revealed that this individual received $10,000 as a bribe from the head of an organization operating in the agricultural sector in the Bayaut district. The deputy prosecutor promised to assist the head of the organization in changing the precautionary measures imposed on the defendants in criminal cases. The defendants are being investigated under the articles of "Fraud" and "Theft by way of embezzlement or waste" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. A criminal case has been initiated regarding this incident under the articles of "Fraud" and "Assisting in bribery" of the Criminal Code. Currently, investigative actions are being carried out.

In the Sharof Rashidov district of the Jizzakh region, the mayor Mahmud Kholbutayev and his assistant were detained on suspicion of receiving a bribe. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to preliminary information, the district leader received money in exchange for allocating land for the construction of multi-storey buildings. It has been revealed that the chief specialist of the Sharof Rashidov district administration colluded with the head of a construction company, promising to allocate land for the construction of multi-storey buildings in exchange for $30,000. On July 5, the specialist received $10,000 of the requested amount and handed this money directly to the district mayor. On July 8, he also received the remaining $20,000. As a result, the construction company was granted permission to build eight multi-storey buildings on 1.7 hectares of land in the "Tokchilik" neighborhood. Interestingly, this area had previously been allocated for the construction of a general education school. Employees of the State Security Service detained the mayor and his assistant while handing over $10,000 in front of the mayor's office building. Currently, the mayor of Sharof Rashidov district has been deprived of his deputy rights. A criminal case has been opened against him under Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (bribery). The chief specialist is being charged under Article 168 (fraud) and Article 211 (giving a bribe). It should be noted that Mahmud Parsamatovich Kholbutayev has been serving as the mayor of Sharof Rashidov district since October 26, 2019

The press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan reported that a case of electricity theft has been identified. This was reported by Upl.uz. Preliminary inspections were conducted by the Department employees in Samarkand region. During the inspection, the activities of the “M.A.” farm located in the Qattekurgan district were studied. It was revealed that illegal electric water pumps were installed outside the electricity metering device in the farm area, and electricity was connected to them. Thus, it was determined that the head of the farm had stolen a total of 2.1 billion soums worth of electricity. A criminal case has been initiated regarding this incident under the article "Theft" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The penalty for this crime may be imprisonment for up to 15 years.

The press service of the State Security Service reported that an employee of the Andijan regional tax department's department for supporting and servicing business entities has been arrested. This was reported by Upl.uz. This employee was caught while receiving 2500 US dollars. The money was taken from the founder of a limited liability company selling radio and television equipment in the Altynkul district. It has been clarified that this money was demanded in exchange for not conducting a tax audit. Due to deficiencies in the tax reports, the employee demanded a total of 3000 dollars to avoid an audit, of which 500 dollars was initially accepted as an advance. A criminal case has been initiated under the articles of "Fraud" and "Mediation in Bribery" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding this case. Currently, the investigation is ongoing. This case reaffirms the government's commitment to combating corruption and bribery.

According to the press service of Uzenergoinspektsiya, a case of hidden connection to the gas supply has been identified. This was reported by Upl.uz. Control measures were carried out in cooperation with the staff of the Fergana region Uzenergoinspektsiya and other law enforcement agencies. During the event, the catering facility of a private enterprise named “X.Q.K.” in the Dang‘ara district was inspected. During the inspection process, it was found that all gas equipment in the kitchen was connected to the gas supply in a hidden manner, bypassing the gas consumption accounting device. Based on this, the damage caused to the gas supply organization was estimated at 2 billion 887 million soums. All materials found have been submitted to law enforcement agencies, and preliminary investigation actions are currently underway.

According to the press service of the Andijan Regional Department of Internal Affairs, the offender has been held accountable. This was reported by Upl.uz. Information circulated on social media that a citizen was walking down the street with a knife, threatening a private homeowner in Andijan city. It was revealed that this incident occurred on July 7, 2024, at approximately 15:30. A resident of Andijan city, born in 1995, had a conflict with his wife and went to his wife's father's house after she fled. However, instead of resolving the issue through conversation, the offender took a knife and attempted to forcibly enter the house. In connection with this incident, an administrative report was drawn up against the citizen under the articles of the Administrative Responsibility Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan for "Petty hooliganism," "Carrying cold weapons or items that can be used as cold weapons," and "Failure to comply with the legal requirements of law enforcement officers." The court imposed a ten-day administrative detention penalty on him. This decision was made by the Andijan city court for criminal cases.

According to the press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office, cases of fraud in land sales have been identified. This was reported by Upl.uz. During a special operation conducted in cooperation with the employees of the Uchtepa district department and law enforcement agencies, two citizens were detained. They had received an advance payment of 90 thousand US dollars. They promised to assist in selling a 4-hectare land plot worth 420 thousand dollars in the Bo‘ka district of Tashkent region and in formalizing documents for housing construction. To implement the plan, they sought help from their high-ranking acquaintances. A criminal case has been initiated under the articles of "Fraud" and "Aiding Corruption" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding this case. This situation indicates the need to strengthen accountability before the law. The relevant authorities continue to fight against crime.

Today, on July 10, at approximately 11:00 AM, a burst occurred in the water pipe with a diameter of 800 millimeters on Farobiy Street in the Shaykhontohur district of Tashkent. This was reported by Upl.uz. Emergency fire and rescue services quickly arrived at the scene, and work is currently underway to eliminate the consequences of the accident. So far, there has been no information about any injuries. The press service of Veolia Energy commented on the incident. According to their information, during the planned tests in preparation for the 2025-2026 heating season, at 10:40 AM on July 10, pressure was raised to 16 atmospheres in the heating network located next to the TCh-10 heating station at the intersection of Farobiy and Shifokorlar streets for mechanical strength tests. During this process, when the pressure reached 12.6 atmospheres, water flowed out of the 800-millimeter pipe. This pipe was put into operation in 1989. No injuries were reported. However, it was found that glass showcases with a total area of 8 square meters were broken in nearby shops. The material damage will be compensated. The accident site was quickly closed off, and hot water supply was not interrupted. Additional information will be provided later.

According to the press service of the Andijan region's Department of Internal Affairs Traffic Safety, a traffic accident occurred on July 10, 2024, at around 11:40 on the 408th kilometer of the A-373 highway passing through the Shahrikhon district. This was reported by Upl.uz. The incident took place in the area of LLC "Kazikurgan." The driver of a "Cobalt" car, born in 1997, was making a left turn at an unauthorized place when he collided with a "Labo" car coming from behind. The accident occurred because the "Labo" driver did not maintain a safe distance. As a result of the incident, no one was injured, but the cars sustained technical damage. Internal affairs officers are conducting investigative actions to determine the causes of the incident and identify the guilty party

The administrative case regarding 37-year-old Uzbek citizen Chinoraxon Maxsudova has been concluded in the Russian Federation. This was reported by Upl.uz. This incident occurred on February 12, 2025, at the "Gumrak" international airport in Volgograd. When Maxsudova entered Russia on a flight from Dubai, she chose the "green channel" for customs clearance, which is intended for passengers who do not need to declare their goods. However, during the inspection of her two bags, customs officers found a large batch of undeclared commercial goods — human hair. A total of 222 bundles of natural human hair were identified during the inspection. The total weight of the hair amounted to 40.9 kilograms. An expert examination was conducted to determine the market value of the hair, and it was confirmed that their value in the Russian market is 4 million 363 thousand 678 rubles. During the court proceedings, Chinoraxon Maxsudova admitted to bringing in the hair and stated that she intended to use them for commercial purposes at a beauty salon in Moscow. She also acknowledged that she was not familiar with the customs clearance rules and failed to fulfill the obligation to declare commercial goods. Taking into account the circumstances of the case, the court found her actions to constitute an administrative offense. As a penalty, all undeclared hair was confiscated, and the batch weighing over 40 kilograms was handed over to the Russian state. This court decision is final regarding the administrative case. The human hair market is a billion-dollar industry, with India and China being the main exporters of raw materials. There, hair is often collected as offerings in temples during religious ceremonies and is later sold for making wigs and for hair extensions worldwide.

In the Shaykhontohur district of Tashkent city, employees of the sanitary-epidemiological service identified serious violations of the law. This was reported by Upl.uz. In a private house, 220 kilograms of ice cream belonging to the famous "Andijan ice cream" brand was found. This product was stored in completely unacceptable conditions, and it was determined that there was mold and insects in the ice cream. The results of the conducted expertise showed that the ice cream had melted several times and been refrozen. The product was stored in plastic containers, which showed signs of damage. This clearly proves the serious non-compliance with sanitary rules and storage conditions. It should be noted that this is not the first case related to the quality of "Andijan ice cream." In 2021, more than a ton of the product was found to be hazardous to consumer health. At that time, laboratory tests revealed dangerous bacteria in this ice cream, including E. coli and golden staphylococcus. Currently, law enforcement agencies are conducting a detailed investigation into this case. Manufacturers may face serious liability for violating sanitary regulations and endangering public health. This case once again highlights the need for strict control in the production and storage of food products.

According to the information services of the traffic safety departments, data has been obtained about individuals who violated traffic rules and put their lives at risk on social networks by various law enforcement agencies in different regions. This was reported by Upl.uz. In particular, two cases were recorded in the Tashkent region. In the Akkurgan district, it was found that three citizens filled the cargo area of a truck with water, and two of them were sitting in the water and eating. Additionally, it became known that they had previously filmed a video of themselves dancing on top of the vehicle and advertised their teahouse on social media. These offenders were given a 12-day administrative detention sentence. Moreover, several citizens recorded a video of themselves dancing on top of a moving Nexia-1 vehicle. Administrative measures were taken against all participants. On July 11, a similar video of dancing on top of a Damas vehicle was identified in the city of Andijan, and preventive talks were held with the participants, and administrative protocols were formalized. The most serious incident occurred in the city of Tashkent. A blogger filmed a video of a dancer on the hood of a Malibu-2 vehicle. The dancer was at risk of falling off the car. At the same time, law enforcement officers found that the Malibu-2 vehicle had the license plate of another vehicle installed. Relevant measures are being taken regarding these incidents.

Apple presented its new flagship smartphones, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models, in September. This was reported by Zamin.uz. These devices have been significantly updated not only in terms of internal capabilities but also in appearance. One of the biggest changes is that the rear camera module now spans the entire width of the body. The sensor layout remains the same as before, but the LiDAR and flash are now located on opposite sides. Apple has abandoned the titanium body and returned to an aluminum body. Aluminum dissipates heat 20 times more efficiently than before. The body is fully metal, with a Ceramic Shield glass area on the back for wireless charging. The front panel uses the new Ceramic Shield 2, which is three times stronger. Additionally, an anti-reflective coating has been applied to the screen surface. In terms of internal power, the new Apple A19 Pro chip is installed. It features a 6-core processor and a 6-core graphics processor, and with the second-generation Dynamic Caching technology, it operates 40% faster than before in long-lasting tasks. For the first time in Pro models, a vapor chamber cooling system has been introduced, with the aluminum body aiding this process. The camera system has also been significantly upgraded. Now there are full 48-megapixel main, ultra-wide, and telephoto cameras. The telephoto camera offers 8x optical zoom, as well as 4x mode and 3D stabilization functionality. The front camera is 18 megapixels and equipped with Center Stage technology. Additionally, video recording in ProRes RAW format has been added, which is an important innovation for those engaged in video editing. Regarding battery life, the iPhone 17 Pro model offers 33 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max works for 39 hours. Charging the devices from 0 to 50 percent takes only 20 minutes. The prices are set as follows: iPhone 17 Pro at $1099, and iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1199. The devices will go on sale from September 19. The color options include Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange. New TechWoven cases and Crossbody Strap accessories have been introduced. Whether Apple has truly reached the “Pro” level with these updates is a topic of discussion among users. The new models offer high levels of power and quality, which will help strengthen their position in the market.

A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Irina Zarutska, was stabbed to death on a train in North Carolina. This was reported by Zamin.uz. The police arrested 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, who attacked the woman, and charged him with murder. The incident was recorded on video and widely shared on social media, causing significant public outrage. The city mayor called the incident a failure of the judicial system and promised measures to enhance safety on public transport. Zarutska's family stated that she had fled the war in 2022 and come to the United States, quickly adapting to her new life. She was interested in art, loved animals, and lived happily with her family. The incident also sparked political debates. Some criticized that Brown, despite having been previously convicted of serious crimes, had been released. The state leader called for more effective measures against crime. This event once again prompted discussions in society about safety and justice issues.

Apple company recently introduced the new iPhone 17 smartphone. This was reported by Zamin.uz. As a result of conversations with sellers at the "Malika" market in Tashkent, approximate prices for these new models have been determined. It has been revealed that iPhone 17 smartphones will be available for sale in Uzbekistan starting from September 23. Prices vary depending on the memory capacity and device features. For example, the 256 gigabyte model of the iPhone 17 is estimated to cost around 16 million 250 thousand soms. Models with larger memory capacity are priced higher. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max versions have even more features and capabilities, with prices starting from 23 million soms and approaching 50 million soms. These new smartphones are expected to generate significant interest in the Uzbekistan market. Memory capacity and budget are important factors for buyers when choosing the most suitable option. Additionally, full warranty and service options are expected to be provided at official sales points. The release of the new iPhone 17 models in Uzbekistan will bring innovations and increase competition in the smartphone market.

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.

Domenico Tedesco is one of the main candidates for the position of head coach of the Fenerbahce team. This was reported by Euro-football.ru. The Turkish club is searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho. The "Canaries" management has shortlisted Tedesco's name, and the Italian specialist has expressed his readiness to take this position, according to the well-known journalist Nicolo Schira. If everything goes according to plan, the 39-year-old specialist will sign a contract with the major Istanbul club until 2027. Domenico Tedesco's most recent job was with the Belgium national team, where he served as head coach from February 2023 to January 2025. Previously, he worked at major clubs such as RB Leipzig, Moscow Spartak, and Schalke 04. His coaching experience and work with big teams could be a great opportunity for Fenerbahce. The club aims to achieve future successes with the new coach.

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.

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.

The general secondary education system in Uzbekistan is undergoing fundamental changes. This was reported by Upl.uz. The country has officially begun implementing a 12-year education model. This was announced by the press service of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education. In the near future, a normative legal document confirming these innovations is expected to be signed. This decision was made as part of a comprehensive program to reform the education sector. The program was presented to the president on September 8 and envisions a systematic renewal of all stages from preschool to higher education. The transition to 12-year education is being carried out to align with international experience. The results of the PISA study conducted in 2022 showed that in 85% of countries considered leaders in education, the number of school years is exactly 12. The introduction of the new model will allow adapting curricula to international standards and also enable students to be well-prepared for subsequent stages of education and vocational training. The updated system structure will be as follows: the first year is designated as a preparatory stage for 6-year-old children, which is considered part of primary education. Primary education will last a total of 5 years, including 1 year of preparation and 4 years of primary school. The next stage is basic general secondary education, covering grades 5 to 9 and lasting 5 years. The final 2 years constitute complete general secondary education, which will be conducted in schools, academic lyceums, specialized military schools, or technical colleges. To ensure a smooth transition process and create the necessary infrastructure, about 3,600 new schools will be built and more than a thousand state kindergartens will be opened. It is precisely in these institutions that the updated preparatory program for the youngest students will be piloted. An interesting point is that information about the transition to 12-year education had been actively discussed on social networks since 2023. However, at that time, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education officially denied these claims, emphasizing that the 11-year education system was in effect. The current decision shows that approaches at the state level have been reconsidered and there is political will to implement large-scale reforms. In the history of independent Uzbekistan, a 12-year education system has existed before. From 2010 to 2017, education was organized based on a 9+3 scheme, where students who completed grade 9 were required to continue their studies at vocational colleges and academic lyceums.