News

Tokyo-based broadcaster TBS Holdings said on December 16 it has agreed to invest $150 mln in U.S. film production company Legendary. The two firms form a partnership to expand Japanese content for global audiences.

TBS said the deal with the producer of films including «Dune» and «A Minecraft Movie» aims to boost the international value of its content through joint development of video projects based on Japanese manga, animation and games.

The $150 mln investment includes shares previously held by Apollo Global Management and Legendary’s management team, valuing the studio at more than $4 bn. A source familiar with the...

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday during a White House meeting, aiming to influence U.S. policy on Venezuela.

A White House official said Trump intends to keep the medal. Trump later wrote on social media that Machado had given him the prize in recognition of his work, calling it a gesture of mutual respect. Machado said the gift reflected what she described as Trump’s commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people.

The White House released a photograph of Trump holding a framed, gold-coloured medal...

BTS have officially announced their highly anticipated fifth studio album is titled “ARIRANG” and will be released on March 20 at 1 p.m. KST.

BigHit Music shared the news via social media on Thursday, with pre-orders scheduled to begin on January 16.

Cultural significance

​The album title references a 600-year-old Korean folk song that holds a spot on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Often described as Korea’s unofficial national anthem, “Arirang” embodies “han”, a cultural concept representing a blend of sorrow, longing, resilience and hope.

Linguistic research suggests the term translates to “my beloved one”. The...

Red Bull and Racing Bulls have lifted the covers off their 2026 Formula 1 challengers at a joint launch event at Michigan Central Station, marking the beginning of their new power unit partnership with Ford.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit revealed the RB22 with a dramatic stunt featuring pilot Martin Sonka, whose plane tore the sheet off the car. The new design returns to the gloss finish used during the team’s 2005 debut and features a “heritage white base” intended to highlight the team’s iconic sun and bull logo.

2026 livery, cleared for takeoff ✈️#F1...

BitMine Immersion Technology has agreed to invest $200 mln in Beast Industries, the entertainment company founded by YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as MrBeast. The deal represents one of BitMine’s largest non-core equity investments to date.

Under the agreement, BitMine will make a $200 mln equity investment, though the companies have not disclosed the size of the stake, Beast Industries’ valuation or any governance rights linked to the deal. The transaction is expected to close on Monday.

Donaldson runs a network of YouTube channels with a combined audience of more than 450 million subscribers, making Beast Industries...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has arranged financing of up to $195.5 mln for a major renewable energy project in Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya region.

The funding will support the construction and operation of a 300-MW greenfield solar photovoltaic plant and a 75-MWh battery energy storage system by Nur Kashkadarya Solar, a special-purpose company fully owned by UAE clean energy group Masdar. The EBRD package includes senior loans and guaranteed facilities, alongside concessional finance from Canada, Finland and Japan, with additional co-financing expected from the Asian Development Bank.

Once completed, the project is expected to generate about...

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) has reached financial close for its 300-MW Guzar solar power project with a 75-MWh battery energy storage system in Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya region.

The UAE-based clean energy company secured more than $225 mln in financing, with up to $195.5 mln provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and $30 mln from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The funding packages include contributions from climate-focused funds supported by Canada, Finland and Japan, as well as regional private infrastructure initiatives.

Masdar will design, build and operate the project under a public-private partnership...

Uzbekistan’s Supreme Court has released an updated register of online sources and materials banned for promoting extremism and terrorism, according to the court’s press service. The revised list, current as of January 10, 2026, includes digital content deemed to threaten public safety and the country’s constitutional order.

The updated register contains 1,593 profiles, channels and materials, the majority linked to social networks and messaging platforms. Telegram accounts for the largest share with 790 banned entries, followed by Instagram with 265 profiles and Facebook with 249. The list also includes 167 YouTube channels and videos, 53 TikTok profiles and...

International logistics provider Gebruder Weiss has strengthened its footprint in Uzbekistan by upgrading its Tashkent representative office to a full national organisation.

The move reflects growing demand for logistics and supply chain services in Uzbekistan from both international and local customers, particularly in the agricultural and construction machinery sectors. Gebruder Weiss is actively involved in organising the transport of oversized machinery to Central Asia, supporting the country’s expanding industrial and agricultural base.

Thomas Moser, Regional Manager Black Sea/CIS at Gebrüder Weiss, said the company continues to invest in Uzbekistan due to its strong growth prospects and strategic role...

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover has exceeded $80 bn for the first time in the country’s history, with exports reaching $33.5 bn, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Wednesday.

Speaking during a video conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the president also reported that Uzbekistan attracted more than $43 bn in foreign investment, highlighting the growing role of economic diplomacy in driving growth.

Mirziyoyev said Uzbek diplomats are now expected to go beyond political engagement and actively support investment promotion, expand export markets, develop transport and logistics corridors, boost tourism, facilitate legal labour migration and protect the rights of...

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic ties, with a focus on trade, investment and industrial cooperation.

The pledge came during a meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Shahrukh Ghulamov. The talks reviewed the growing diplomatic and commercial relations between the two countries and explored new opportunities for collaboration.

Mr. Khan highlighted Pakistan’s goal of increasing bilateral trade to $2 bn, stressing the importance of regional connectivity in achieving this target. He noted...

Buying Greenland could cost the United States as much as $700 bn, according to estimates cited by officials, as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to acquire the Arctic island despite firm opposition from Denmark and Greenland.

The semi-autonomous Danish territory is not for sale, Copenhagen and Nuuk have repeatedly stressed. However, Mr Trump has insisted the U.S. will take control of Greenland «one way or the other,» citing national security concerns linked to the island’s strategic location and rare-earth mineral resources.

Talks in Washington this week between USA, Danish and Greenlandic officials failed to bridge what Denmark described...

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reduced the asking price for French football club OGC Nice as he looks to streamline his Ineos sports portfolio.

Ratcliffe purchased the Ligue 1 side for €100 mln in 2019 but put the club up for sale last year. He was initially reported to be seeking around €250 mln, but the price has now been cut to below €200 mln, according to Bloomberg.

The British billionaire owns stakes in several sports assets, including Swiss club Lausanne and a minority holding in the Mercedes Formula One team. However, he has been scaling...

Filming is officially underway on Amazon MGM Studios’ new Tomb Raider series, with Prime Video unveiling the first look at Sophie Turner as iconic adventurer Lara Croft. The role was previously brought to the screen by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander, while Hayley Atwell voiced the character in Netflix’s animated series.

Based on the legendary Tomb Raider video game franchise, the series follows the globe-trotting exploits of archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft. In the newly released image, Turner appears firmly at home in the role, signaling a fresh take on the beloved character.

The cast also includes Sigourney...

Ryan Hurst has been cast as Kratos in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the «God of War» video game series.

The role marks Hurst’s return to the franchise after he voiced the Norse god Thor in the 2022 game «God of War: Ragnarok.» Kratos is the central figure of the series, a Spartan-born warrior who becomes the god of war.

The show will draw from the storylines of the two most recent games, focusing on Kratos as he raises his young son Atreus following the death of his wife Faye. As they journey to scatter her ashes...

Uzbekistan’s ambulance service dealt with around 14.3 mln calls in 2025, the Health Ministry says.

Emergency cases accounted for the bulk of the workload, with about 10.2 mln urgent calls recorded during the year. Another 3.8 mln requests were linked to chronic illnesses, while more than 100,000 calls were related to childbirth.

Tashkent registered the highest number of callouts at about 1.46 mln. The Fergana and Andijan regions followed, while Navoi region recorded the lowest figure with roughly 416,000 calls.

The number of medical response teams has risen to nearly 2,900 over the past eight years. Authorities said the...

HBO has released the first trailer for «Euphoria» Season 3 ahead of its April 12 debut on HBO and HBO Max, marking the long-awaited return of the hit drama.

Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Martha Kelly, Chloe Cherry, Colman Domingo and Dominic Fike reprise their roles. Former cast members Barbie Ferreira, Storm Reid, Javon «Wanna» Walton and Austin Abrams are not returning. Angus Cloud, who played fan favourite Fezco, died in July 2023 at the age of 25.

The new season moves the story forward by five years, following...

Russia on December 15 expelled a British diplomat it accused of covert intelligence activity, warning the UK that Moscow would not accept what it described as espionage on Russian soil.

The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said the diplomat, a second secretary at the British embassy in Moscow, was operating undercover for Britain’s intelligence services. Russian authorities said he has been given two weeks to leave the country and state media published images of him.

The Foreign Ministry summoned Britain’s charge d’affaires in Moscow, Danae Dholakia, to deliver a formal protest. In a statement, it said Russia would not...

Iran reopened its airspace on December 14 evening after nearly five hours of closure, which disrupted flights as airlines cancelled, rerouted or delayed some services amid fears of military action between the United States and Iran.

The airspace had been closed at 22:15 GMT to all flights except international services with official clearance, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Tracking service Flightradar24 reported the notice was removed shortly before 03:00 GMT, and flights from Mahan Air, Yazd Airways and AVA Airlines were among the first to resume operations.

The closure came as President Donald Trump considered a...

A U.S.-based labour rights organisation claimed that workers at a Chinese factory making the popular Labubu dolls faced exploitation.

China Labor Watch (CLW) said its investigation found employees at Shunjia Toys Co Ltd in Guangdong were made to work long overtime hours, sign incomplete or blank contracts, and were denied paid leave.

The toys, known for their «blind box» concept, have gained a global following in recent years.

Pop Mart, the Beijing-based toy retailer behind Labubu, said it is reviewing the allegations. The company said it would «firmly» require suppliers to correct any improper practices and noted it regularly...

Tashkent will establish a logistics hub and an exhibition centre as part of a cooperation agreement with China, the city administration announces.

The memorandum was signed between Tashkent’s industrial zones management directorate and the Shihezi National Economic Zone.

The agreement outlines plans to increase trade between industrial zone residents, organise regular business visits, and attract new investment.

Shihezi National Economic Zone, located in Xinjiang, is a major economic and educational hub focused on agricultural processing, textiles, and the food industry.

Kursiv also reports that in 2025, international freight and transit through Uzbekistan exceeded 2.8 mln tonnes.

Uzbekistan has established a dedicated Airbus helicopter service centre at the Chirchik Aviation Repair Plant, the presidential press service reports.

The facility is the only one of its kind in the CIS and Central Asia to maintain Airbus rotorcraft. Engineers at the centre are trained to service models including the H-125, H-215 and H-130.

During a visit to the plant, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was shown workshops where Su-25 attack jets are being modernised with advanced navigation systems and night-vision equipment.

The Uzbek military currently operates Airbus helicopters, including the AS550 and AS532 models.

Founded in the 1940s, the Chirchik...

Chevron is expected to receive a broader licence from the U.S. government this week that could allow the company to raise oil production and exports from Venezuela, according to Reuters.

The U.S. major is likely to be among several companies granted approval by President Donald Trump’s administration to operate in Venezuela, as producers, traders and refiners seek access to the country’s heavy crude following the U.S. removal of President Nicolas Maduro. Marathon Petroleum is also holding talks with Washington over potential supplies of Venezuelan crude for its refineries, sources said.

Talks expand beyond Chevron

Valero Energy, along with...

Several international flights were forced to turn back after Iran closed its airspace, disrupting routes linking Uzbekistan with the Middle East.

Fly One Asia‘s Flight 7Q7742 from Medina to Tashkent returned to Medina, while Flight 7Q4442 on the Medina to Fergana route was also diverted back to its departure airport.

Jazeera Airways Flight J9650 from Tashkent to Kuwait, which took off at 02:01 local time, returned to Tashkent shortly after departure. SamAir‘s Flight 9S3303 from Samarkand to Jeddah, departing at 02:04, turned back to Samarkand.

Fly Khiva’s Flight 2U7911 from Urgench to Medina, which left at 02:17 local time...