Society

South Korean K-pop megastars BTS released their fifth studio album 'ARIRANG' on Friday, marking their first album in nearly four years. The 14-track album is named after a traditional Korean folk song and is billed as reflecting the boy band's roots and identity, with entertainment magazine Billboard describing it as 'a love letter to their home country.' Ahead of the release, BTS member Jimin stated, 'We gave deep thought to our identity — and how best to express ourselves authentically — across the entirety of our music and performances. As an extension of that process, we also revisited the significance of our background as a group comprised entirely of Korean members.'

According to the Uzbekistan Hydrometeorological Service (Uzhydromet), the country will be under the influence of moderately warm and humid air masses from March 19-20. Rain is expected in some districts of the central and southeastern regions, with daytime temperatures today ranging from +13…+16°C and tomorrow from +17…+20°C, signaling a gradual shift towards spring conditions across the nation.

Toshavtobustrans LLC, a subsidiary of Toshshahartransxizmat JSC, has resumed operations of bus route No. 1226 from Mashinasozlar Metro Station to Chorbog (Humsan village). This move is aimed at developing domestic tourism and providing comfortable transport services to residents.

In Istanbul's Maltepe district, the murder of 36-year-old Uzbek citizen Hurriyat Tursunboyeva, who was reported missing by her sister in 2019, has been uncovered by a special police group. According to NTV television, the investigation revealed that the woman was killed by her husband, and her body was stored in their home for a month before being discarded in a waste container. The case emerged during a re-examination of the missing persons report filed by the victim's sister, Sevara Zakhidova.

The Muslim Board of Uzbekistan has officially set the prayer times for Eid al-Fitr, as the holiday coincides with Friday, March 20. This announcement is significant for Muslims across the country, providing clear guidance for the timing of the festive prayer ceremonies.

The Tashkent City Court has overturned a previous sentence and imposed actual prison terms on professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Shahzod Uzakov, known publicly as 'Shahzod-Gold', and his accomplice, Nurillo Kuldoshev. The court's cassation ruling replaced their initial punishment of restricted freedom with deprivation of liberty, sparking widespread discussion and varied interpretations on social media.

The Hydrometeorological Service of Uzbekistan (Uzhydromet) has reported that on March 19-20, the country's territory will be under the influence of moderately warm and humid air masses. During this period, rain is expected in the central and southeastern regions of the republic, including the capital city of Tashkent. Daytime temperatures on Thursday are forecast to range from +13…+16°C, rising to +17…+20°C on Friday, which is slightly above seasonal averages.

Starting from March 23, the seasonal bus service on the Tashkent–Chorvoq route has been resumed, as officially announced by "Toshshaxartransxizmat." The route will utilize MAN RR3 model tourist buses, equipped with 47 seats and air conditioning, providing comfort for passengers. The fare is set at 25,000 soums, with payment options available in cash or via bank cards, enhancing convenience for travelers.

The concept of urban mining, which involves extracting and reusing construction materials from old buildings, is gaining traction as a method to protect the environment. In Brussels, the cooperative Rotor DC specializes in salvaging such materials, including early 20th-century Belgian tiles with art nouveau patterns, solid wood doors, and windows, cleaning and sorting them for resale. Researcher Micheal Ghyoot highlights that these tiles are appealing due to their floral designs, and their reuse challenges conventional practices in the construction industry.

An investigation is ongoing into a tourist minibus accident on the island of Phuket, Thailand, which resulted in the death of an Uzbek citizen and injuries to four other Uzbek nationals. Among the victims are also eight Russians, two of whom are in serious condition. Under Thai law, the driver of the minibus could face up to 10 years in prison.

During the month of Ramadan, mosques become hubs of prayer and community life, where cleanliness and order are paramount. At the Ermuhammadboy Mosque, located in the Avval township of Fergana District and boasting over a century of history, 38-year-old Avazbek Ismoilov has served as a guard and cleaner for 14 years. He stays at the mosque day and night, laboring to maintain its tidiness, while occasionally earning extra income by driving a taxi in his neighborhood during free time.

In the Bukhara region, a group consisting of a Turkish citizen and three Uzbek accomplices was apprehended while attempting to traffic a young female student abroad. According to reports from the “Ovoza” information program, the group members had deceived the first-year university student with plans to send her to Istanbul, Turkey, for the purpose of sexual exploitation.