News

The 10th Yuri Grigorovich International Competition «Young Ballet of the World» has wrapped at the Winter Theatre, with young performers from Uzbekistan among the newly named laureates after a week of showcase rounds.

Fifty-nine dancers from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan received laureate titles. Russian participants captured most top prizes: Ilya Milovanov and Andrey Grachev won junior gold, while Denis Mazanov and Ksenia Belousova topped the senior soloist category. A special award for the best choreography to P. I. Tchaikovsky’s music went to Russia’s Viktoria Sokolova.

Dedicated to the memory of choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, this year’s edition drew more...

Kazakhstan aims to sign long-term agreements with Azerbaijan for oil product supplies, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev said at the 21st Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission meeting in Baku, per Azernews. He called the countries’ energy ties «strategic,» praising SOCAR–KazMunayGas cooperation on the Trans-Caspian route and backing expansion of renewables transmission.

Sauranbayev said Kazakhstan is ready to work with Azerbaijan on peaceful nuclear energy, energy regulation, and joint AI R&D centers. Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov added that oil transit via the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline is set to grow: 3.4 million tons of Kazakh oil have moved through BTC since 2023, with both...

Uzbek customs officials say they have dismantled a large regional narcotics ring that operated via Telegram, exposing one of Central Asia’s biggest online drug markets.

According to the customs service, the ring was centered on a darknet marketplace called «Deadpool,» active since 2017 with roughly 4,000 subscribers. In a 31 August sting in Andijan’s Khodjaobod district, officers arrested a suspect carrying 602g of alpha-PVP allegedly smuggled from Kyrgyzstan. Investigators say the detainee had worked with Deadpool since 2023 and helped distribute nearly 50kg of synthetics over two years.

A second operation on 10 September in Tashkent region’s Zangiota district...

Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has arrived in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent. The athlete was spotted at a local gym, according to businessman Dmitry Seredin, who shared a video of the encounter on Instagram.

Later, Nurmagomedov posted on his own Instagram Stories, noting that he was visiting a Dagestani restaurant in Tashkent. The purpose of his visit, local media report, is the opening of a new restaurant serving Caucasian cuisine.

During his stay, the former fighter also stopped by a burger restaurant located in the city centre.

A flurry of developments has followed the ceasefire deal for Gaza, with limited hostage returns, mass prisoner releases and duelling narratives about next steps, even as President Donald Trump touts «peace in the Middle East» after a leaders’ summit in Egypt.

Key points

On October 14, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, president’s press service reports.

The two leaders discussed the further development and strengthening of the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance between Uzbekistan and Russia, with a focus on implementing high-level agreements in practice.

Particular attention was given to maintaining the steady growth of key trade, economic and investment indicators, as well as supporting joint cooperation projects at the regional level.

The presidents also welcomed the continued expansion of humanitarian ties, especially in the fields of culture, arts and education, including...

The construction of the Kambarata Hydropower Plant-1 (HPP-1) is estimated at $4.2 bn, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, announced.

According to the minister, some of the world’s largest banks and investment funds have expressed strong interest in the project, with the total financing portfolio now reaching $5.6 bn.

Mirzamakhmudov noted that a recent meeting took place in Brussels between the energy ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, supported by the World Bank. During the meeting, the project was recognised as a model of regional cooperation and an important step towards developing renewable energy in Central Asia.

He also...

The Russian Export Centre (REC) has identified the most promising sectors for Russian exporters seeking to expand their presence in Uzbekistan, RBC reports.

According to the centre, the most profitable opportunities lie in steel products, black metal pipes, polymers, confectionery, wood-based panels, aluminium and its alloys, as well as pharmaceuticals. Russia already exports a wide range of goods to Uzbekistan, including ferrous metals and metal products, timber and wood processing materials, electrical and mechanical equipment, and plastics.

Beyond trade, Russia remains one of Uzbekistan’s largest investors. Data from Uzbekistan’s Statistics Agency shows that in the first quarter of...

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has announced plans to invest $15bn (£11.29bn) in building a large-scale artificial intelligence data hub in India’s southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Alphabet’s Largest AI Project Outside the US

The new facility will be located in the port city of Visakhapatnam and will form part of Google’s global network of AI centres across 12 countries.

«It’s the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world, outside of the United States,» said Thomas Kurien, CEO of Google Cloud, at an event in Delhi on Tuesday.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina announced on Tuesday that he had dissolved the national assembly, deepening a political crisis marked by youth-led protests and growing unrest within the military.

A decree published on Facebook stated that the president had consulted with the leaders of both the assembly and the Senate before issuing the decision, though it remains unclear whether the move holds legal authority. The announcement came after Rajoelina was reportedly forced to leave the country following clashes between protesters and security forces.

Address from Hiding

In a live address on Facebook from an undisclosed location, the 51-year-old leader...

An Uzbek boy who was unable to attend the Kairat–Real Madrid match in Almaty after buying fake tickets has been gifted a football signed by Real Madrid and Chelsea icon Claude Makélélé, courtesy of local businessmen, Kursiv Kazakhstan reports.

The story of young Armin and his father, who travelled from Uzbekistan to see the historic match, moved many across Central Asia. The pair had purchased tickets for $1,175 on Viagogo.com, only to discover at the stadium that they were counterfeit. A video showing Armin in tears quickly went viral, drawing widespread sympathy.

Elliot Page has confirmed he is reuniting with director Christopher Nolan on next year’s The Odyssey, an adaptation of Homer’s epic that Nolan is shooting entirely with IMAX cameras. Page, who previously worked with Nolan on Inception (2010), revealed during a New York Comic Con panel that returning to collaborate with the filmmaker felt «such a joy,» adding that being «more comfortable» in himself makes the experience «more enjoyable.»

The star’s role remains under wraps, but the ensemble includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron. IMAX chief Rich Gelfond said Nolan...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan reported that as of October 14, the price of a five-gram gold bar has reached a record 8.3 mln soums ($683.15), according to data published on the regulator’s Telegram channel.

Current rates value a 10-gram bar at 16.6 mln soums ($1,366.31), a 20-gram bar at 33.2 mln soums ($2,732.61), a 50-gram bar at 83.1 mln soums ($6,839.76), and a 100-gram bar at over 166.2 mln soums ($13,679.52).

In August, the Central Bank purchased two tonnes of gold, according to the World Gold Council. During the same period, global central banks acquired around...

British company BAT Uzbekistan Investment has acquired the government’s 2.6% stake in the tobacco producer UzBat, the State Asset Management Agency (UzSAMA) reports.

The deal, worth over 269.7 bn soums ($22.2 mln), was signed at the end of September, with proceeds transferred to the state budget. The valuation was conducted by an independent assessor, and the report was verified for accuracy, the agency noted.

According to the Unified State Register of Enterprises (USREO), as of October 14, BAT Uzbekistan Investment now holds 97.3% of UzBat’s shares, while UzSAMA and the company’s employees each retain 2.6%.

Established in 1994, UzBat...

Tashkent received 202 new Yutong electric buses from China on October 13, Ministry of Transport reports. The ceremony was attended by the Tashkent city mayor (hokim), Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov, and other officials.

In his speech, Minister Makhkamov highlighted the ongoing reforms initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev aimed at improving public transport and enhancing the quality of life for citizens. He congratulated the drivers and staff of Toshshahatransxizmat JSC, who will operate the new fleet, and praised their commitment to providing reliable and modern transport services.

Clean Mobility for a Greener City

The new eco-friendly electric buses...

The last living Israeli hostages held in Gaza were freed on Monday under a ceasefire deal that also saw Israel release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, marking what US President Donald Trump declared the official end of the two-year war that has shaken the Middle East.

Hours later, Trump gathered Muslim and European leaders in Egypt to discuss Gaza’s post-war future and prospects for regional peace. Neither Israel nor Hamas attended the meeting, as both sides have yet to agree on the next steps.

The Israeli military confirmed that all 20 surviving hostages had been handed over by...

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has hit back at claims he was against signing Oscar Piastri as a rookie driver, calling the suggestion «ludicrous» and entirely untrue.

At a London court hearing last week, Alex Palou, the Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time IndyCar champion, alleged that Brown told him in late 2022 the decision to hire Piastri had not been his own.

Speaking to Reuters ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Texas, where Piastri is defending a 22-point championship lead over teammate Lando Norris, Brown dismissed the accusation.

«I’m not sure which...

A possible acquisition of a stake in Uzbekistan’s national postal operator UzPost by Russian online marketplace Wildberries could mark a major step in its digital transformation, according to economist Shukhrat Bobokhuzhaev.

«UzPost genuinely needs major investment and partners to build a digital platform. If the reports about Wildberries’ acquisition are confirmed, it would be good news that could turn the postal service into a thriving business,» Bobokhuzhaev told Kursiv Uzbekistan.

The expert recalled that back in 2018, UzPost had already attempted a digital upgrade under Russian manager Evgeny Birger, but the project stalled due to...

India is doubling down on a multipolar world vision while preserving its non-aligned doctrine, according to a new commentary by Prof. Sudhanshu Tripathi. The piece argues that U.S. dominance and widening geopolitical rifts are pushing New Delhi to balance great-power ties without joining rival blocs.

Tripathi highlights three pillars of India’s approach:

Pakistan and Russia agreed to expand cooperation across oil, gas and minerals as Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik led Islamabad’s delegation to the 14th St Petersburg International Gas Forum (SPIGF).

At the forum’s plenary, «Gas Market 2025–2035,» Malik outlined Pakistan’s energy reforms and investor-friendly policies, pitching diversification and transparency to global players. On the sidelines, he held talks with Gazprom Chairman Alexey Miller to advance collaboration with OGDCL in upstream exploration, joint ventures and infrastructure. Separate meetings with Rusgeo and AI firm Nedra Digital explored Russian investment, technology transfer and digital solutions to boost exploration and production efficiency.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has warned his G20 counterparts that soaring asset prices, particularly in AI-linked tech stocks, may be out of step with a fragile global outlook, leaving markets vulnerable to a sharp reversal.

In a letter sent in his capacity as chair of the Financial Stability Board (FSB), Bailey cautioned that recent rebounds across financial markets have produced valuations that «could now be at odds with the uncertain economic and geopolitical outlook,» heightening the risk of a «disorderly adjustment.»

The alert follows the BoE’s own assessment that stock market valuations look «stretched,» with concerns extending to...

The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) says the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is currently facing 280 restrictive measures from third countries, but notes Uzbekistan has partially eased one of its own rules, scrapping the excise tax on imported white sugar from 1 October 2025.

According to the EEC, most curbs come from the EU and U.S. (30+ each), with Türkiye just under 30. Several others, including the UK, Ukraine, Brazil, Mexico, China and India, maintain 6–20 measures. Fewer than five have been recorded from countries such as Uzbekistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, Japan and Korea.

The Commission added it...

China will convene the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on October 20–23, using the meeting to lock in a steady, innovation-led course rather than announce abrupt policy shifts, according to an analysis by Dr. Imran Khalid.

Officials are expected to review outcomes of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) and sketch priorities for 2026–2030 around three themes: «new productivity,» «China’s large market,» and «high-level opening up.» The agenda signals confidence in an economic model that pairs state guidance with market vitality, prioritising advanced manufacturing, AI, clean energy and domestic consumption from a vast middle class.

Selective...

Uzbekistan has hosted a coordination meeting for the upcoming «Unity-2025» (Birlik-2025) joint regional military exercise, bringing together defence delegations from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense, participants reviewed the operational objectives and conducted preliminary maneuvers in preparation for the regional drills. The exercise aims to strengthen coordination and interoperability among the armed forces of Central Asian and allied nations.

Azerbaijan’s commando and UAV units are set to take part in 14 planned activities across 20 tactical episodes during the «Unity-2025» exercise.

Uzbekistan’s hosting of the coordination meeting highlights the country’s growing role in promoting...