News

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, with Richard Marles, Australia’s deputy prime minister, on board the HMS Prince of Wales in Darwin. Photo: Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire

British Defence Secretary John Healey has suggested that the UK is prepared to join allies like Australia in a potential conflict over Taiwan, stating, «If we have to fight, as we have done in the past, Australia and the UK are nations that will fight together.»

Speaking aboard the HMS Prince of Wales, the UK’s largest aircraft carrier, Healey emphasized that joint military exercises help deter threats through readiness. His...

The 2025 Tour de France came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, as Wout van Aert (Visma Lease a Bike) delivered a solo victory in the 21st and final stage, held in Paris under pouring rain. Meanwhile, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) secured his fourth career Yellow Jersey, confirming his dominance in modern cycling.

Unlike traditional processional finales, this year’s last stage, from Mantes-la-Ville to the Champs-Élysées, was full of aggression, tactics and raw emotion.

Montmartre Madness: Final Stage With a Twist

This year’s final route featured a historic twist: three climbs up the iconic Butte Montmartre, a nod...

The United States is considering a 30% reduction in its military presence in Europe, according to Politico, citing a source within NATO. The move comes as part of a broader global reassessment of U.S. military deployments, driven by shifting strategic priorities.

Currently, around 100,000 U.S. troops are stationed across Europe. The potential reduction could affect up to 30,000 personnel, particularly those serving on a rotational basis in Poland, Romania and the Baltic states.

The Pentagon’s Force Posture Review, expected this fall, will outline the final decision.

Concerns in Europe

The news has raised concerns in European capitals, particularly in...

Authorities in Samarkand have begun demolishing the infamous 12-story illegally constructed building located in the Konigil neighborhood, local outlet Podrobno.uz reported, citing eyewitnesses. The building’s owner posted a video online pleading for the demolition to be halted.

Footage from the scene shows a crane positioned at the site, beginning work on dismantling the structure. The demolition is complicated by the building’s unusual shape and location, it widens as it rises and hangs over adjacent residential houses, posing safety concerns.

Construction of the building began in 2012, allegedly based on a design by Japanese architects. However, the owner never obtained official...

Saneg has completed the installation of an automated vapor recovery system at its oil storage sites in Karshi and Mubarek, the company’s press service told Kursiv Uzbekistan.

When crude oil is stored in tanks, temperature fluctuations and transfer operations cause hydrocarbon vapors—known as “breathing gases”—to form.

Without specialized recovery systems, over 8 mln cubic meters of these vapors are lost annually—equivalent to more than 160,000 tons of CO₂ emissions. Offsetting this would require planting over 7 mln trees.

«The project aims to reduce harmful emissions, enhance environmental and industrial safety, and minimize hydrocarbon losses during storage...

The online platform yashiltamojnya.uz («Green Customs») has been launched in Uzbekistan to help combat the illegal trade of wild animals and plants. The platform was officially presented at Green University.

It was developed by the environmental resource center Ekomaktab with the support of the Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan.

The website allows customs and border officers to quickly verify the legal status of animals and plants under the CITES convention, and check for valid permits. This tool is especially valuable when smugglers attempt to transport rare animals or their parts disguised as souvenirs...

Chinese investors Li Sangzai and Zhou Chunwen will invest $20 mln in the construction of a plant to produce rebar, wire rod, and metal angles in Uzbekistan’s Fergana region, according to the regional hokimiyat (governor’s office).

During a meeting with regional governor Khayrullo Bozorov, the parties agreed to begin construction. The facility will be built in the small industrial zone of the Tashlak district.

The governor highlighted the growing demand for high-quality and affordable construction materials driven by the expansion of the construction sector. Local authorities pledged comprehensive support for the investors.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the Japanese...

A section of Tashkent Metro’s above-ground line «30 Years of Independence», between the stations Technopark and Yangiobod, will be closed starting August 2, the metro administration announced.

The temporary closure is due to scheduled maintenance work. Previously, the Turon and Kipchak stations on the same line were shut down. Service was later suspended between Yangiobod and Quruvchilar, which now results in a full line closure.

To minimize disruption, a free shuttle bus service will run between Technopark (Station 1) and Kipchak (Station 14) during the repair period.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports on the closure of some metro ticket...

American researchers were secretly preparing to carry out a controversial climate experiment aimed at reducing the amount of sunlight reaching Earth by creating artificial clouds, Politico reports.

The plan involved generating a cloud covering an area of approximately 10,100 square kilometres (3,900 square miles) using liquid salt particles. Scientists believed that such a formation would be visible from space. Proposed test locations included the western coast of North America, Chile or parts of south-central Africa.

A smaller-scale version of the experiment had previously been attempted in Alameda, California, but it was halted by local authorities. The researchers, led by...

Uzbekistan has achieved its best-ever result at the FISU World University Games 2025, claiming a total of 15 medals during the recently concluded international student games held in Germany. The National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan confirmed the accomplishment, highlighting the strong performance of the country’s young athletes on the global stage.

The Uzbek team finished 13th in the overall medal standings, earning four gold, four silver and seven bronze medals. Japan topped the table, followed by China and the United States.

On the final day of competition, July , Uzbekistan’s Sharifa Davronova delivered a standout performance in the women’s...

Porsche has experiences a dramatic collapse in quarterly profits, with its automotive division posting an operating profit of just €154 mln in the second quarter of 2025, a steep fall from approximately €1.7 bn in the same period last year. The 91% year-on-year decline highlights the mounting pressures facing the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, Bild reports.

According to Volkswagen’s half-year financial report, Porsche’s revenue also declined by around 12.9%, falling to just over €8.3 bn. The figures exclude earnings from the company’s financial services branch.

In contrast, Volkswagen’s core passenger car brand...

Umar Bozorov, a judoka from Uzbekistan, claimed a silver medal at the Judo Grand Slam tournament held in Mongolia, according to the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan (NOC).

In the final match, Bozorov was defeated by Japanese judoka Riku Okada. The bronze medal went to Bahrain’s Israpil Sagaipov, a former representative of Russia.

Video: JudoRewatch

The Grand Slam tournament took place in Mongolia from July 25 to 27. Overall, the Uzbek national team earned one gold and one silver medal at the event. The gold was secured by Abdurakhim Nutfullaev, marking the first major career medal for the athlete.

As of the end of June 2025, more than 98,400 citizens of Uzbekistan were residing in South Korea, according to a recent report by The Korea Times. This figure places the Uzbek diaspora as the fifth largest foreign population in the country.

Chinese nationals remain the largest foreign group in South Korea, with 972,100 residents. They are followed by Vietnamese citizens at 341,100, and Americans at 196,600. Thai nationals rank fourth, with a population of 173,700.

The report notes that the majority of foreign residents are concentrated in Seoul, the surrounding capital region and the southern provinces of the...

British actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has unveiled a surprising new look in the latest issue of Men’s Fitness UK, revealing the results of an intense physical transformation undertaken for his role as Mephisto in the Disney+ Marvel series Ironheart. The 52-year-old, widely known for satirical characters like Borat and Ali G, took to social media to share images from the magazine shoot, showcasing his muscular build, an unexpected twist that has left fans both stunned and intrigued.

Cohen’s portrayal of Mephisto, a long-anticipated addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), officially debuted earlier this summer in Ironheart...

American Eagle’s latest advertising campaign, fronted by actress Sydney Sweeney, has become the subject of public scrutiny following accusations that its messaging carries racially insensitive undertones. The campaign, launched to promote the retailer’s autumn denim collection, uses the tagline «Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans» — a phrase that has prompted concern for what some have interpreted as a thinly veiled reference to «great genes.»

Sweeney, 27, known for her roles in Euphoria and Reality, appears in a series of stylised images wearing American Eagle’s signature denim. The Spokane-born actress is also set to portray boxer Christy Martin in a forthcoming...

Luis Díaz is on the verge of joining Bayern Munich after Liverpool agreed to a transfer deal worth up to €75 mln (£65.5 mln), the Guardian reports. The 28-year-old Colombian international is expected to leave the Reds’ pre-season camp in Tokyo to undergo a medical with the Bundesliga champions.

Bayern have pursued Díaz for some time and ultimately met Liverpool’s valuation to secure the move. Díaz had shown openness to a transfer as early as summer 2024, prompting negotiations that have now come to fruition. Despite offering the winger two new contract extensions, Liverpool have opted to cash in...

The weather across Uzbekistan on July 28, 2025 is forecast to remain mostly dry and hot, with only isolated areas in the Republic of Karakalpakstan expecting short-lived showers and thunderstorms. According to meteorological data, daytime temperatures will range from 32°C to 37°C across much of the country.

Winds are expected to blow at 7–12 metres per second, with localised gusts reaching up to 18 m/s, accompanied by blowing dust in some regions.

Tashkent to Remain Dry with High Temperatures

In the capital, Tashkent, no rainfall is anticipated. Winds will be lighter than in some other regions, at...

Several banks have updated the rates for exchanging foreign currencies for UZS on July 26. This article contains information about the most favorable rates.

Here are Central Bank Reference Rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

Several banks offer best rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

Financial institutions may change the value of currencies...

Turkmenistan has announced the export of over 860 vehicles and luxury cars, including German-made machinery and armoured sedans, via its State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange. The listings reflect the country’s continued efforts to boost international trade in automotive and industrial sectors.

Specialised Equipment Priced from $53,000

According to official data, the Motor Enterprise of the Presidential Administration is offering 704 units of specialised transport equipment.

Each vehicle, produced in Germany, is priced at $53,000 and available on EXW terms from Ashgabat, with full prepayment required.

An additional batch of 160 units has also been made available at $66,000 per vehicle. These, too, are manufactured in Germany and ready for immediate dispatch.

Luxury Vehicles...

Japanese investment group Sojitz Corporation plans to build a large multi-specialty medical centre in Samarkand. The project will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, according to the regional administration.

Healthcare Investment in Shirin District

The future medical facility, designed for 800 beds, will be located in the newly developing Shirin residential area, near Samarkand International Airport.

The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Sojitz representatives and Adiz Boboyev, the acting governor of the Samarkand region.

Sojitz Expands Role in Uzbekistan

Founded in Tokyo in 2003, Sojitz is active in global trade and infrastructure development. In Uzbekistan, the company already supplies hospital equipment and supports digital education projects.

Telegram has rolled out an official age verification bot that uses facial scanning technology to determine whether a user is over 18. The new tool is integrated into Telegram’s settings and is currently only available in countries where local laws require age checks for adult content.

Facial ID Without Data Transfer

The bot is built using Telegram’s own technology and functions as a mini app verified by the platform. Users can access it directly or through the «Settings» → «Chats» → «Sensitive Content» menu (or «Privacy & Security» on desktop).

Importantly, Telegram states that all data remains on the user’s device. No images are uploaded to...

A controlled gas release has been reported at the Muynak gas field in Karakalpakstan during exploratory drilling, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy confirmed on July 26.

Methane Leak Occurred at 4,707 Metres

The incident took place while drilling the first exploratory well, designed to reach a depth of 5,000 metres. The leak occurred when gas began to escape at 4,707 metres, exceeding expected pressure levels.

In response, emergency teams are working to seal the well and stabilise pressure, following all established safety protocols.

No Hydrogen Sulphide, No Threat to Public

According to the ministry, the gas released is pure methane, free of hydrogen sulphide.

Afghanistan has reported that more than 700,000 of its citizens were expelled from Iran in just one month, triggering urgent calls from Kabul for closer coordination and humanitarian support.

Afghan Authorities Demand Respectful Process

The Commission for Refugee Affairs expressed concern over how the deportations were carried out, urging Iranian officials to work transparently with Afghanistan to avoid chaos at the borders.

Spokesperson Ahmadullah Wasiq said the treatment of Afghan nationals by Iran fell short of international norms. He stressed that if roles were reversed, Afghanistan would have been prepared to offer refuge.

Border Arrivals in Distress

Thousands arriving at the Islam Qala crossing were...

Uzbekistan imported a record amount of natural gas from Russia and Turkmenistan in the first half of 2025, according to official data from the State Statistics Committee.

Imports Outpace Exports

Between January and June, Uzbekistan’s total gas imports reached $571.8 mln — despite a 30% decline year-on-year.

The highest monthly volume came in June ($286.3 mln), following a gradual rise from $2.7 mln in March and $8 mln in February.

Gas Exports to China Surge

Over the same period, Uzbekistan exported $354.9 mln worth of gas to China — a 50% increase.

Monthly shipments peaked at $105.4 mln in April, before slowing to $66.9 mln in June.

Discrepancies with...