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According to the World Bank, Uzbekistan continues to rank among the fastest-growing economies in the region. The country’s GDP is projected to expand by 6.2% in 2025 and by 6% in 2026. Kyrgyzstan is also expected to make a significant contribution to Central Asia’s overall economic performance.

These figures were outlined in the World Bank’s report Economy of Europe and Central Asia: Employment and Welfare, presented on November 13 in Tashkent at the Centre for Economic Research and Reforms. Najy Benhassine, the World Bank’s Regional Director for Central Asia, noted that the region’s working-age population will grow considerably over the...

Uzbekistan has launched its national pavilion on Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com, according to Dunyo.

The pavilion will help promote high-value Uzbek products in China and integrate local sellers into cross-border online trade. It offers a convenient “one-stop shop” for exporters, covering everything from online storefronts and advertising to logistics, payments, and after-sales service.

A wide range of goods will be available on the platform, including textiles, footwear, food products, home items, and handcrafted crafts, all tailored to meet Chinese market standards.

«The launch of the national pavilion provides Uzbek companies with a direct channel to...

US private equity company Carlyle is examining the possibility of acquiring Russian oil company Lukoil’s foreign assets, Reuters reports.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Lukoil as part of its efforts to push the Kremlin towards peace talks over Ukraine. These sanctions have also blocked Lukoil’s attempt to sell assets to Swiss-based trader Gunvor before the November 21 deadline.

Lukoil produces roughly 2% of the world’s oil output domestically and abroad, with its international assets contributing about 0.5% of global production. These assets are estimated to be worth around $22 bn, based on 2024 filings. Carlyle...

Global banks are heading into 2026 with a largely stable outlook despite growing geopolitical pressures, shifting regulatory landscapes, and increased uncertainty in trade and technology. According to S&P Global’s Global Banking Outlook 2026, 85% of global bank ratings carried a stable outlook as of October 2025, with profitability, liquidity, and capital buffers expected to support the sector through another challenging year.

Geopolitics and trade tensions cast a long shadow

The most significant risks facing banks in 2026 stem from geopolitical instability. The Russia–Ukraine war remains unresolved, while tensions in the Middle East could flare up again and disrupt...

Uzbekistan’s Energy Minister, Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, has revealed in an interview with Azerbaijani outlet Report that the international energy company British Petroleum (BP) has expressed interest in the Ustyurt plateau oil and gas project.

Mirzamahmudov explained that Tashkent is holding preliminary discussions on BP’s potential role in hydrocarbon extraction. The project is a joint effort involving Uzbekneftegaz and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR. During the initial phase, the plan includes conducting seismic surveys, drilling wells, and obtaining early results.

«Experts, particularly those from SOCAR, anticipate promising oil yields. Should these forecasts be confirmed, we will simultaneously begin preparations for a...

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it has been unable to verify the status of Iran’s stockpile of near–weapons-grade uranium since June, when Israeli and U.S. strikes damaged several of Iran’s nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict.

According to a confidential report seen by The Associated Press, the agency has «lost continuity of knowledge» about previously declared nuclear material stored at affected facilities. The IAEA warned that the situation must be «urgently addressed,» noting that standard verification procedures are now months overdue.

The agency’s last public assessment in September found that Iran held 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of...

Tens of thousands of African migrants have been flown home under a European Union–funded program run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). But many returnees say the promised support, business grants, job training and medical care, has never arrived.

The EU has given the IOM hundreds of millions of dollars since 2016 to help migrants who abandon dangerous journeys to Europe. The program pays for flights home and is supposed to help people restart their lives. Between 2022 and 2025, more than 100K migrants were returned from North Africa and Niger, with 58% of the budget earmarked...

The U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is moving toward waters off Venezuela in a display of American military power not seen in Latin America for decades.

The deployment is part of Operation Southern Spear, a Trump administration mission the White House says is aimed at combating drug trafficking. Once the Ford arrives, the operation will involve nearly a dozen U.S. Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines.

Officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, insist the focus is on «narcoterrorist» networks moving cocaine toward the U.S. Critics...

At a recent session of the State Duma, lawmakers were debating changes to funding for the «Native Toy» competition when an unexpected claim appeared.

One deputy said that the popular Soviet character Cheburashka was «Jewish,» arguing that Israel was supposedly the only country sending oranges to the USSR when the original animated film was made.

Cheburashka first appeared in a book by Eduard Uspensky and later became famous through the Soyuzmultfilm cartoon series.

During the discussion, deputies also mentioned concerns about modern collectible toys, including the popular figure Labubu, which has recently drawn attention from Russian officials...

France has fully lifted the judicial supervision measures on Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov, allowing him to leave the country and removing his obligation to report to the police in Nice, according to French judicial sources.

The Russian-UAE-French national had been under judicial control since August 2024, facing an investigation into Telegram’s alleged role in permitting illicit activity on the platform. He was initially barred from leaving France and required to check in regularly.

Sources told Reuters and other media that Durov’s compliance with the supervision terms was deemed «ideal,» which contributed to the decision to lift...

Photo: Uzbek president’s office

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has highlighted the joint construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant as a key milestone in strengthening cooperation among Central Asian states.

In his article «Central Asia on the Threshold of a New Era,» Mirziyoyev described the agreement between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on the project as «a vivid example of fraternal partnership.» He added that collaboration with Tajikistan on the Yavan and Fandaryn hydropower plants along the Zarafshan River is also progressing steadily.

Kambarata-1, set to become the largest energy facility on Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn River, will feature a 5.4-billion-cubic-meter reservoir and a...

Uzbekistan’s mixed recurve team delivered a historic performance at the 24th Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka, reaching the finals for the first time after a dramatic upset of top-seeded Korea.

Amirkhon Sadikov and Ziyodakhon Abdusattorova rallied from a set down to defeat Korea’s Seo Mingi and Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Jang Minhee, shooting an X, 10 and 10 in a decisive final set. The pair, who previously won mixed team bronze at the 2022 Asia Cup in Sharjah, will face Chinese Taipei in the gold-medal match on November 14.

Uzbekistan’s breakthrough comes as part of a strong showing by...

Uzbekistan will make its long-awaited debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming one of several so-called «footballing minnows» set to give the expanded tournament a fresh look — and new storylines.

For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams instead of 32, opening the door for debutants such as Uzbekistan, Jordan and Cape Verde, as well as returning outsiders like Qatar, who have qualified on sporting merit rather than as hosts. The new format, with 12 groups and an enlarged knockout stage, has sparked debate over quality and competitiveness, but it has also widened access...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $300 mln policy-based loan, including $100 mln on concessional terms, to help Uzbekistan expand access to finance for underserved micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially those led by women, and to strengthen the country’s microfinance sector.

The funding supports Subprogram 2 of the Inclusive Finance Sector Development Program, which builds on earlier reforms to create a stronger legal and institutional framework for inclusive finance. Measures include raising the maximum microloan size, updating microfinance regulations, joining the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code, and drafting rules for Islamic microfinance.

The new subprogram will...

Uzbekistan and India have agreed to deepen regional trade connectivity through the joint development of new multimodal transport routes linking South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe.

The partnership was formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Uztemiryulkonteyner, Uzbekistan’s national rail container operator, and India’s ABS Logistics during an international transport and logistics exhibition.

Under the deal, both sides will work to expand container traffic, open new transit routes, and modernize logistics infrastructure across Uzbekistan’s strategic transport network. The initiative also aims to diversify cargo flows and introduce digital technologies to improve efficiency along key multimodal corridors.

Officials said...

French renewable energy developer Voltalia has begun supplying power to Uzbekistan’s grid from its new 126MW solar PV plant in the western Khorezm region.

The Sarimay Solar project, which broke ground in May 2024, is now in its final phase of construction and is expected to be fully commissioned soon. The site will later be expanded with a 50MW/100MWh battery energy storage system and a 100MW wind power facility, creating one of the country’s first large-scale co-located renewable energy hubs.

The project marks another step in Uzbekistan’s push to rapidly scale up clean electricity generation and diversify its energy...

At the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan’s weightlifters continue to add to the national medal tally.

In the over-86 kg category, Tursunoy Jabborova claimed three bronze medals. She lifted 116 kg in the snatch and 138 kg in the clean and jerk. Her combined total of 254 kg earned her bronze in all three events.

Another medal came from Sharofiddin Amriddinov, competing in the over-110 kg category. He took third place in the snatch with a lift of 188 kg.

By the end of the day, Team Uzbekistan had secured four bronze medals in weightlifting events.

Uzbek weightlifter Akbar Juraev delivered an outstanding performance at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Representing Uzbekistan, Juraev dominated the competition in the under-110 kg weight class, winning three gold medals and becoming the absolute champion.

Competing in the –110 kg category, Juraev showcased exceptional form. He lifted 193 kg in the snatch and 227 kg in the clean and jerk. His combined total of 420 kg was the best of the tournament, reaffirming his status as one of the world’s strongest weightlifters.

With this victory, Juraev secured the sixth gold medal of his career at...

At the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan’s swimming team continues its strong performance, adding two more gold medals to the country’s tally.

In the 400m freestyle event, Ilya Sibircev secured a decisive victory, earning the gold medal — his second medal of the tournament.

Shortly after, Eldor Usmonov reinforced the team’s success by taking first place in the 100m butterfly. Usmonov outpaced his closest competitors, bringing home another gold for Uzbekistan.

The Uzbek swimming team added two gold medals in a single day, further strengthening its position in the overall medal standings of the Islamic...

At the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan’s swimmers capped off their performance with a bronze medal in the men’s 4×100m freestyle relay.

The national team, Eldor Usmonov, Ilya Sibircev, Ablulazizbek Abdumajidov and Mikhail Kleshko, delivered a strong result, finishing behind Iran and Turkey to take third place and add another medal to Uzbekistan’s tally.

The achievement marks an important conclusion to the swimming program for the Uzbek delegation, which reached the podium multiple times throughout the tournament.

Result:

Kursiv...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in his article «Central Asia on the Threshold of a New Era,» emphasised that regional cooperation must remain voluntary, pragmatic and focused on tangible results.

He noted that Central Asian countries must address issues that determine the region’s stability and reiterated his support for continued regional collaboration.

Mirziyoyev called for deeper coordination in security, including regular meetings between national security secretaries, intelligence agencies, and defense and law enforcement structures.

In the economic sphere, the Uzbek leader highlighted the need to accelerate intra-regional trade, simplify border crossings and improve conditions for investment.

Newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein are reviving scrutiny of Donald Trump’s past ties to the disgraced financier, even as the White House dismisses the disclosures as a partisan attack.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday published three emails referencing Trump, including a 2011 message in which Epstein told Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump had «spent hours» at his house with Virginia Giuffre, a central accuser in the Epstein scandal. In a separate 2019 email to journalist Michael Wolff, Epstein wrote that Trump «knew about the girls,» though the context and meaning of that claim remain unclear.

The...

Global carbon pollution from burning coal, oil and gas rose again in 2025, dashing hopes that emissions had finally peaked and would start to fall, scientists reported Wednesday at U.N. climate talks in Brazil.

For the second year in a row, fossil fuel emissions increased by 1.1%. It is a relatively small rise by historical standards, but still the opposite of what negotiators at the COP30 climate summit in Belem say is needed to keep global warming in check.

«It’s disappointing that we haven’t brought down carbon dioxide emissions,» said University of Exeter scientist Stephen...

Women riding motorbikes through the streets of Tehran have become a striking new symbol of Iran’s slow but visible social transformation, challenging decades of conservative restrictions.

For Merat Behnam, 38, commuting to her café on a yellow scooter once seemed unthinkable. Riding without a motorcycle license, which Iranian law grants only to men, she expected harassment or arrest. Instead, she says, public reactions have largely been supportive.

«Gradually, the way people treated me encouraged me a lot,» she told the Associated Press.

Police still warn that women riding motorcycles is illegal, and hard-line...