News

The Federal Reserve has held its benchmark interest rate steady at 4.25–4.5% for the fourth consecutive time, following a two-day policy meeting. The decision was published on the regulator’s official website.

The Fed confirmed its long-term goal of bringing inflation down to 2%. It also noted that the US economy continues to show steady growth, although a modest rise in prices has been observed.

The decision aligned with forecasts by analysts surveyed by Reuters. However, market expectations point to a possible rate cut in September or October.

Earlier, reports suggested that US President Donald Trump considered dismissing Federal...

Uzbekistan and Russia will work together to resolve migration-related issues, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with media agency heads.

«We agreed with Shavkat Miromonovich [Mirziyoyev] that we will address migration matters together. We all know the current state of the labour market,» the Russian leader said.

Putin also emphasised the importance of fostering closer ties between Uzbek and Russian youth.

In 2024, 698,000 Uzbek citizens worked in Russia, compared to 1.2 mln in 2023. During this period, the number of Uzbeks who travelled to Russia for employment rose from...

Pharmaceutical company Noya Ca Pharmaceutical will invest $14.6 mln into the production of medications in Uzbekistan, according to the country’s Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency.

Under the agreement, the company will launch operations within the Tashkent Pharma Park cluster. The new facility is expected to include the manufacturing of psychotherapeutic drugs.

«The implementation of this project will not only expand pharmaceutical production, but also create new jobs, enhance industrial infrastructure, and boost the country’s export potential,» the agency noted.

This marks a significant step in Uzbekistan’s efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen its pharmaceutical...

Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov has been named in Manchester City’s official squad for their upcoming match against Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca. The game is part of the first round of the group stage at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

According to the official match sheet, Pep Guardiola included Khusanov in the 23-man squad. While the young defender is not listed in the starting XI, he may still make his debut at this level if he comes on as a substitute.

For Khusanov, this could mark a major milestone — his first appearance in a global club tournament. He...

The film «Taymetov. Herald of Victory,» dedicated to the life of Uzbekistan’s first pilot, Abdusamat Taymetov, has won the Press Award at the prestigious Eurasia International Film Festival, as reported by Uzbekistan Airports.

The historical biopic, which beat out 90 competing entries from around the world, marks a significant recognition of Uzbek cinema on the international stage. The film had earlier been awarded Best Film at the Dialogue of Cultures forum.

«Thanks to the support of Uzbekistan Airports, we were able to study rich archival materials and museum collections,» said director Eldar Yuldashev. «This helped...

Uzbekistan’s sabre fencer Fernanda Herrera has earned a bronze medal at the Asian Fencing Championships, marking the first medal for the national team at the tournament, according to the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan.

In the quarterfinals, Herrera delivered a dramatic comeback against Kazakhstan’s Aigerim Sarybai. Despite trailing by seven points, the Uzbek athlete managed to close the gap and clinch victory by a single point.

In the semi-finals, Herrera was narrowly defeated by Japan’s Misaki Emura, ending her run with a well-deserved spot on the podium.

The Asian Fencing Championships are being held on Bali from June...

Very soon, Uzbekistan will welcome a global superstar and one of the most beloved icons of our time.
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, has officially been added to Jennifer Lopez’s world tour. Her concert is scheduled for August 7 at Bunyodkor Stadium

1. Born Jennifer Lynn Lopez on July 24, 1969, in the Bronx

Raised in a Puerto Rican family in New York City, she started dance lessons at age five and went on to study gymnastics and performing arts.

2. Rose to fame as a Fly Girl dancer on «In Living Color» (1991)

Her early break in entertainment came as...

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has declared that Iran will not surrender, delivering the message in a televised address to the nation, according to IRNA.

«The Iranian people, just as they resisted an imposed war, will firmly resist an imposed peace,» he said.

Khamenei praised the courage shown by Iranians during Israel’s recent strikes on the country. He added that the attacks came at a time when Tehran and Washington were engaged in negotiations over a nuclear agreement.

To recap, US President Donald Trump has called on Iran to...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told US President Donald Trump that the May ceasefire between India and Pakistan had been reached without Washington’s involvement, Reuters reports.

«Prime Minister Modi made it clear to President Trump that no discussions took place during this period regarding a trade deal between India and the US, nor any American mediation between India and Pakistan,» said India’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vikram Misri.

His statement followed Trump’s earlier claim that the United States had helped de-escalate tensions between the two South Asian nations. India, however, maintains...

A press conference was held at the Sputnik Uzbekistan press center in Tashkent to mark the national team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event featured head coach Timur Kapadze.

«We fear no one»

During the press conference, Kapadze stressed that qualifying for the World Cup is not only the result of hard work but also a sign of the overall growth of Uzbek football.

«No one wants to end up in a group with the strongest teams, but we won’t fear anyone. This is our first World Cup, and we will show...

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has approved a resolution that will make environmental criteria a mandatory component of public procurement documentation from early 2026.

According to the government’s decision, state buyers must ensure that at least 15% of their procurement in 2026 qualifies as green procurement. This share must increase by 5% each year.

By the beginning of 2030, the government aims to raise the share of green procurement to 30% of all public contracts.

The resolution also states that the absence of eco-labelling will not be grounds for excluding companies from participating in public tenders.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan...

From January to April 2025, the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) index of the Uzbek soum fell by 6.2 points to 105.2 points, according to experts from the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies (IMRI).

The Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) index declined by 5.4 points, landing at 88.7.

IMRI noted that a decline in the real exchange rate index leads to lower export prices and higher prices for imported goods.

The index is calculated as a weighted average of the Uzbek soum’s exchange rate against the currencies of its trading partners, factoring in the share of each foreign...

According to The Telegraph, China has sent several Boeing 747 cargo planes to Iran over recent days, with flight routes passing through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The British outlet described these aircraft as «mysterious,» noting that they disappeared from radar as they approached Iranian airspace. Interestingly, the listed final destination for the flights was Luxembourg.

Cargolux, the Luxembourg-based airline operating the aircraft, stated that its planes did not fly over Iran. However, the company did not respond to questions regarding the nature of the cargo on board.

Experts interviewed by The Telegraph believe the Boeing 747 cargo aircraft could have been used...

During an interview with Telegram founder Pavel Durov, TV host Tucker Carlson remarked that «nobody is afraid to go to Uzbekistan.» His comment was picked up by journalists from Podrobno.

Durov and Carlson were discussing which countries can truly be considered safe. The American journalist concluded that countries often perceived as backward or unfree may actually turn out to be safer.

«I’m not promoting Uzbekistan — I’ve never been there. But I’ve never met anyone who said, ‘I’m too scared to go to Uzbekistan,’» Carlson explained.

In response, Pavel Durov reminded him that he visited...

Uzbek agricultural products now account for 80% of fruit and vegetable sales in Russia’s Novosibirsk Region, according to Dunyo News Agency.

The rise in exports follows the February 2025 launch of the Asia–Siberia wholesale distribution centre, which employs Uzbek nationals and has significantly improved logistics and market access for produce from Uzbekistan.

As of early May, Uzbekistan had exported 463,200 tonnes of fruits and vegetables despite a 9.8% year-on-year decline.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that between January and April 2025, Russia imported 2,000 tonnes of cucumbers from Uzbekistan.

Over the year, the company’s long-term loans and borrowings surged from UZS 8.8 bn ($0.69 mln) to UZS 79.6 bn ($6.26 mln). Its total long-term liabilities exceeded UZS 122.5 bn ($9.63 mln) in 2024, up from UZS 20.3 bn ($1.60 mln) in 2023.

Earlier this year, Singapore-based Humans Mobile Ltd, which includes Humans, filed a lawsuit against Uzbekistan. The company claimed that the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and Uztelecom caused operational damage to its local business.

Shortly afterwards, Octobank announced the suspension of its services for Visa cards issued by Humans, citing violations of contractual terms.

The...

Uzbek citizens wishing to leave Israel can do so through designated border crossings with Egypt and Jordan, according to a list published by the Embassy of Uzbekistan.

Travellers may exit Israel via the Menachem Begin / Taba crossing between Eilat and Taba (Egypt). Additional options include the Itzhak Rabin / Wadi Arava crossing between Eilat and Aqaba (Jordan), and the Sheikh Hussein Bridge between Beit She’an (Israel) and Irbid (Jordan). The embassy confirmed that all of these border points operate 24 hours a day.

At the Menachem Begin / Taba crossing, Uzbek nationals may stay in the Sinai Peninsula...

Beelab JSC (Beepul fintech service) officially announces an early increase in its authorized capital to 27 billion soums. This step significantly exceeds the requirement of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan for payment organizations and financial services on the need to increase the minimum capital to 20 billion soums from July 1, 2025.

The increase in capital for companies providing services in the fintech segment, such as accepting and processing payments, P2P transfers, payments in the field, and transport, is justified by the desire to create a reliable platform for protection against digital threats: fraud, cyberattacks, and personal data leakage.

Brad Pitt girlfriend 2025: The Hollywood star is once again making headlines, this time for stepping out with his new partner, Ines de Ramon, in New York. The couple’s 30-year age gap has fueled a wave of commentary online, with many drawing comparisons to Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating history.

Social media was quick to respond with sarcasm and critique. Comments like «Just a father and daughter» and «Is Keanu Reeves the only man in Hollywood dating someone his own age?» reflect growing frustration over recurring celebrity age gap relationships.

The couple’s romantic weekend was captured by...

China will allocate 1.5 bn yuan (nearly $209 mln) in non-repayable aid to Central Asian countries to improve public welfare, as reported by Zakon.kz.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the grant during the China–Central Asia Summit held in Astana. The funds will support impactful development projects aimed at benefiting citizens across the region.

In addition, Xi pledged to provide 3,000 scholarship quotas for Central Asian students to attend preparatory programs in China focused on in-demand professions.

The international summit is taking place in Kazakhstan’s capital, bringing together leaders from all Central Asian states alongside the Chinese president.

Kursiv Uzbekistan...

In the presence of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping, a protocol was signed marking the conclusion of bilateral negotiations on Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The document was signed during a meeting between the two leaders in Astana, where the China–Central Asia Summit is taking place.

During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed expanding trade and economic cooperation, ongoing and future investment projects, and collaboration in green energy, digital technologies, and education.

Special attention was given to accelerating construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway and strengthening coordination within international organizations.

Key practical...

David Beckham will serve as guest editor for the October issue of Country Life, a magazine dedicated to rural living. The announcement was published on the magazine’s website.

This marks the first time the magazine will be curated by someone not affiliated with the British royal family. In the past, guest editors have included royalty, King Charles III edited the magazine in 2013 and 2018, Princess Anne in 2020 and Queen Camilla in 2022.

The special issue curated by Beckham will include his favourite countryside landscapes, recipes and stories about the artisans who helped design his Cotswolds country home.

He...

Job platform hh.uz surveyed over 350 job seekers in Uzbekistan and found that most of them value not only high salaries but also stability and professional growth.

The greatest satisfaction at work comes from a high salary, noted by 58% of respondents. However, nearly half also value interesting tasks and growth opportunities (46%), as well as team dynamics and workplace atmosphere (43%).

The top source of dissatisfaction is low income (50%), followed by emotional burnout (33%), lack of career progression (30%), and leadership style (26%). Only 16% said they are satisfied with their current job situation.

Uzbeks often refrain...

On June 17, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan set the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar at 12,668.14 UZS. The American currency fell by 46.99 UZS in a single day.

On this date, banks were buying dollars at 12,605–12,710 UZS and selling them at 12,750–12,775 UZS.

The exchange rate for the Russian ruble stood at 161 UZS, while the euro was set at 14,640 UZS.

In exchange offices, the ruble was being bought at 90–153 UZS and sold at 162–190 UZS. The euro was bought at 12,800–14,500 UZS and sold at 14,740–15,550 UZS.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that...