News

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has forecast average economic growth of 6.1% across Central Asia in 2025, according to its latest Regional Economic Prospects report. Bank’s projection covers Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The Bank attributes this performance to strong industrial output, resilient domestic demand, rising real wages, investment flows and continued remittance growth. For 2026, the outlook remains positive though growth is expected to ease to 5.2%. Main risks include volatility in commodity markets, dependence on remittances and heavy reliance on Russian and Chinese demand.

Uzbekistan: services and manufacturing drive...

Electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre will give a landmark performance at Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on November 1, 2025. The one-off show, organised with the Uzbekistan Culture Development Foundation, will mark Jarre’s first visit to the country and transform the UNESCO World Heritage site with an immersive display of sound, light and architecture.

The concert will coincide with the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, being hosted in Samarkand for the first time in four decades outside Paris. A UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for many years, Jarre said his performance would honour the city’s historic role as a meeting point of cultures.

PlayStation has confirmed that its long-awaited Marvel’s Wolverine video game will be released in Autumn 2026. The title is being developed by Insomniac Games, a studio within Sony Interactive Entertainment, in collaboration with Marvel Games.

The first trailer was unveiled on September 24, during PlayStation’s «State of Play» showcase. It featured Liam McIntyre as Logan, giving fans a glimpse of the iconic hero’s claws in action in a violent and uncompromising preview.

According to the developers, the game is designed to capture «the ultimate Wolverine fantasy,» combining fast and ferocious combat with cinematic action sequences and a narrative that...

The Centre for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) has released an analytical review of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate risks and decarbonisation strategies in Uzbekistan. The study evaluates current dynamics and long-term scenarios for low-carbon development.

Climate Risks and Global Context

Global emissions reached 53 bn tonnes in 2023, 15.6% above 2010 levels. In Central Asia, climate change has already cut annual per capita GDP growth by 1–2 percentage points. Over two decades, average temperatures have risen by 1.5°C while water flows in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers have declined by 30% and 10% respectively. Climate-related risks...

China announced fresh climate commitments at a UN summit on September 24, pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7%-10% from their peak by 2035. President Xi Jinping made the announcement via video link from Beijing, adding that the country would expand wind and solar capacity sixfold within the next decade, raising non-fossil fuels to over 30% of domestic energy use.

The pledge marked the first time the world’s largest emitter promised an actual reduction rather than slowing growth, though observers said the target was weaker than expected. Environmental groups had hoped for a 30% cut in line with...

A gunman opened fire on a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas early on September 24, killing a detainee and critically injuring two others before taking his own life. Officials said the shooter, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, attacked the building from a nearby rooftop.

Attack on ICE Facility

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Jahn fired indiscriminately, including at a van in the building’s secure entryway where the victims were struck. FBI investigators described the incident as an «act of targeted violence.» A review of evidence revealed an ideological motive, with one...

Rihanna has announced the birth of her daughter, Rocki Irish Mayers, sharing the news and the first photo of her newborn on Wednesday.

The image posted on her social media shows the 37-year-old singer and beauty entrepreneur holding her baby girl. Rocki, born on September 13, is Rihanna’s third child with rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers.

Rocki Irish Mayers
Sept 13 2025
? pic.twitter.com/ibHGXxegTN

— Rihanna (@rihanna) September 24, 2025

Another picture revealed by the star featured two tiny pink boxing gloves tied with long ribbons.

The couple first revealed they were expecting...

Kyrgyzstan’s futsal national team has booked its place in the 2026 AFC Asian Cup after a decisive 3–2 victory over Uzbekistan in the final qualifying match in Bishkek.

Maksat Alimov, Samat Janat uulu, and Kairat Kubanychov scored for the home side, sealing a third consecutive win in the qualifying stage.

With a perfect record of 9 points from three matches, Kyrgyzstan topped their group and advanced to the Asian Cup finals, set to take place in Indonesia from January 27 to February 7, 2026.

Earlier in the qualifiers, Kyrgyzstan defeated East Timor 9–1 and overcame Palestine 2–1, marking a...

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend this year’s United Nations General Assembly, marking another sign of his retreat from international travel. Instead, Premier Li Qiang is representing Beijing at the high-profile gathering, where he has announced a significant shift in China’s trade policy.

Li told delegates that China will no longer seek the benefits reserved for developing countries in global trade negotiations — a move seen as symbolic of the country’s growing economic clout. The announcement comes amid tense U.S.-China relations and stalled trade talks, with a possible Xi–Trump meeting expected at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South...

Independent United Nations experts have called on UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel from all international football competitions, citing alleged human rights violations in Gaza.

In a joint statement, three UN special rapporteurs and members of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights argued that excluding Israel would be consistent with precedents such as Russia’s suspension following its invasion of Ukraine. They stressed that any measures should target the state, not individual players.

The appeal comes amid mounting international pressure. Former French footballer Eric Cantona also demanded Israel’s exclusion at a recent event in London, accusing football authorities...

Claudia Cardinale, one of the most celebrated stars of European cinema in the 1960s and 1970s, has died at the age of 87. The actress passed away on 23 September in Nemours, France, according to her family, who confirmed she was surrounded by loved ones.

Cardinale, born in Tunis in 1938 to Sicilian parents, rose to international prominence with a string of acclaimed performances that helped define an era of filmmaking. She is best remembered for her roles in Federico Fellini’s 8½, Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard, Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West, and Blake Edwards’ The Pink...

On September 23 witnesses spotted Jackie Chan at Almaty Airport, where the 71-year-old actor and martial arts legend was photographed shortly after landing.

According to local reports, Chan was greeted by representatives of Salem Entertainment, a Kazakh media company known for producing hit series such as 5:32, Black Yard and Sheker. While the purpose of his visit has not yet been revealed, Kazakh film critic Karim Kadyrbayev announced on social media that he will soon share details of a project in which the global film star will take part.

Uzbekistan and the United States have signed a memorandum of cooperation in nuclear energy, the US Embassy in Tashkent has reported.

The document was signed by Brent Christensen, US Deputy Secretary of State for Arms Control, and Muzaffar Madrakhimov, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister. The agreement will form a foundation for collaboration between nuclear specialists from both countries.

«This is in line with President Trump’s decree aimed at helping the American nuclear sector remain competitive on the global market,» Christensen said at the signing.

Earlier this year President Donald Trump approved a package of measures designed...

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport has announced that Tashkent will receive 200 new electric buses from the Chinese manufacturer Yutong by the end of September. Of these, 100 have already been delivered to the city’s depots.

The vehicles were supplied from the Chinese county of Khorgos and transported via Kazakhstan. The fleet renewal programme is being carried out with the backing of Uzpromstroybank and China’s Eximbank.

Tashkent has been using Yutong electric buses since 2022, when an initial batch of 20 vehicles was purchased for city routes. The latest deliveries mark a major step in the capital’s efforts to modernise...

Azerbaijan plans to start work on a feasibility study for a green energy corridor connecting Central Asia to the European Union before the end of this year, according to Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, cited by Kommersant.

To advance the initiative, a new company named Green Corridor Union has been established. A consultant will be selected next month, with support for the project coming from the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The project aims to integrate the energy systems of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, creating the infrastructure needed to export green electricity to European markets...

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has extended the shutdown of its UK factories until at least 1 October after a major cyber attack paralysed its operations on 31 August. Production at three key sites remains suspended, idling around 25,000 workers and causing weekly losses estimated at £50 mln ($76.7 mln).

The disruption has rippled across global supply chains, delaying up to 30,000 vehicle deliveries, including Range Rovers and Defenders bound for the US and China. Suppliers in Europe and Asia face mounting financial strain, while workers in the UK have been told to stay home on full pay.

Business Secretary...

Honkai: Star Rail’s 3.6 update has officially launched, bringing with it a fresh storyline, replay features, special events and two new versions of familiar characters.

New Playable Characters

The update introduced Dan Heng Permansor Terrae, a Physical Preservation take on the long-standing Express crew member, and March 7th Evernight, an Ice Remembrance version of the usually cheerful companion. Players logging in before version 4.1 are able to claim Dan Heng Permansor Terrae for free.

Storyline and Replay Feature

The latest chapter unfolds on Amphoreus, where Miss Evernight unveiled her vision of an «Era Nova» to save the world...

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has urged the transformation and expansion of the UN Security Council to ensure a fairer response to global challenges and stronger protection of the interests of developing nations. He made the call during his address at the 80th session of the General Assembly.

Among his key proposals were the launch of a World Summit on Vocational Education and an international forum dedicated to tackling childhood cancer and other serious diseases. He also suggested holding a regular Asian Women’s Forum.

Green Technologies and Regional Development

The president proposed the establishment of an international forum for...

Britain is on track for the highest inflation rate among G7 nations this year, while its economy risks stagnation despite Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ pledge to make growth her top priority, the OECD has warned.

The influential body forecast UK inflation at 3.5% in 2025, easing to 2.7% in 2026 but still above the Bank of England’s 2% target. Rising food costs, particularly beef, dairy, coffee, and chocolate, remain key drivers of price pressures.

Economic growth is projected at just 1.4% this year and 1% in 2026, lagging behind global averages. The OECD blamed tighter fiscal policies, higher trade costs...

As of September 1, 2025, Uzbekistan had nearly 17,000 enterprises operating with foreign capital, according to figures released by the National Statistics Agency. Of these, more than 4,100 were joint ventures while over 12,000 were entirely foreign-owned.

The largest share of these companies was registered in trade, with over 6,000 enterprises. Industry followed with around 3,500 firms. The construction sector accounted for more than 1,200 companies while the information and communications field recorded a similar number.

Beyond these, more than 700 businesses were active in accommodation and food services, over 500 in transport and storage, 430 in agriculture and...

Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson has been ordered to serve a prison sentence after failing to pay child maintenance totalling around £143,000.

The 37-year-old was warned he faces 30 days behind bars unless he settles the debt. The ruling was issued by a family court in his hometown of Porto Alegre on September 3 but was only reported in Brazil this week.

Local media say Anderson will be held under a strict closed regime if space is available in the city’s jails, meaning full confinement and constant supervision. If overcrowding prevents this, he may serve time under a semi-open...

NASDAQ, one of the world’s leading stock exchanges, is set to contribute to the modernisation of Uzbekistan’s Republican Stock Exchange Tashkent. The initiative was discussed during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s meeting with NASDAQ chair Adena Friedman.

Plans also include the creation of infrastructure to enable trading in government bonds, a step seen as essential for expanding Uzbekistan’s financial markets.

Founded in 1971, NASDAQ was the first electronic exchange to carry out transactions entirely through computer systems. Today, it lists shares of thousands of companies, including global technology giants such as Apple and Google.

The talks with NASDAQ took place during...

Rescue teams in St Petersburg have joined forces with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations in a large-scale training exercise at Admiralteyskaya, the deepest metro station in Russia. The drill simulated a fire on a train between Sportivnaya and Admiralteyskaya, testing crews’ ability to respond in one of the most challenging underground environments.

According to the scenario, flames broke out in one of the carriages, quickly filling the tunnel with smoke and leaving passengers trapped. Emergency staff rehearsed the evacuation of commuters, delivering first aid on the station platform and carrying those unable to walk up to the surface from...

World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has confirmed that Uzbekistan is approaching the final stage of joining the organisation. Speaking to the Uzbekistan 24 television channel, she announced that a meeting of the working group will be held in November, with the accession process expected to conclude by March next year.

«Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO is driven by the President’s strong political commitment to market-oriented reforms. Thank you Mr President. We are making great progress, let’s keep working hard together so we can deliver for Uzbekistan,» Okonjo-Iweala posted on X.

Last spring, Uzbekistan’s...