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U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that he will host a historic peace summit at the White House on Friday, bringing together the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, for a formal signing ceremony aimed at ending years of conflict between the two nations.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump called the summit a «Historic Peace Summit,» declaring that both leaders have agreed to meet in Washington to finalize a peace agreement. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has spanned decades, with periodic outbreaks of violence, most notably over...

In the first six months of 2025, TBC Uzbekistan reported a net profit of 254 billion soums — a 30% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the bank’s financial report obtained by Kursiv Uzbekistan.

Operating income doubled year-on-year to reach 1.5 trillion soums. The bank’s loan portfolio grew by 113%, reaching 11.4 trillion soums. TBC Uzbekistan now holds a 5.1% share of the retail lending market in the country.

TBC Uzbekistan’s Key Financials for H1 2025
Deposits rose to 6.2 trillion soums — up 93% year-on-year. The number of Salom debit cards issued by the bank reached...

A German company, AMK Global, could become a partner in a planned waste recycling plant in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent region, according to a statement from the regional administration.

Regional governor Zoir Mirzayev met with AMK Global President Andreas Karsten during a working visit to Germany. The meeting took place at Uzbekistan’s Consulate General in Frankfurt and was part of a broader effort to attract foreign investment into the region’s environmental infrastructure.

AMK Global is known for its work in renewable energy and environmentally sustainable waste management. The company offers full-service support for infrastructure projects, including technical expertise, assistance with permits, financing...

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to South Korea, Alisher Abdusalomov, has voiced strong support for Korean district heating technology during a visit to the Korea District Heating Corporation (KDHC) this week.

The visit focused on the K-heating initiative, a Korean-led project aimed at introducing modern, eco-friendly district heating systems to New Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s planned smart city, and other major urban areas.

«We appreciate KDHC’s support for the development of our energy sector,» said Abdusalomov during his meeting with KDHC President Jeong Yong-ki. «Uzbekistan will do everything it can to ensure the successful adoption of the K-heating system.»

Dry and sunny weather is expected across Uzbekistan today, with daytime temperatures ranging from 33°C to 38°C. Winds will remain moderate, blowing at speeds between 7 and 12 m/s.

The capital, Tashkent, will also remain dry throughout the day. Light winds between 3 and 8 m/s are forecast, and the temperature will stay between 35°C and 37°C.

In the country’s mountainous regions, no rainfall is expected either. Winds will mostly range from 7 to 12 m/s, although occasional gusts could reach up to 13–18 m/s. Temperatures in these areas will be slightly cooler, ranging from 26°C to 31°C.

Alisher Kadyrov, a member of Uzbekistan’s Legislative Chamber and leader of the Milliy Tiklanish party, has commented publicly on the balance between secular freedoms and religious expression following pop star Jennifer Lopez’s high-profile concert in Tashkent.

In a post shared on his Telegram channel, Kadyrov reaffirmed that Uzbekistan is a secular state, where citizens are free to live as they choose, as long as they do not violate the law. He stressed that Uzbekistan’s laws guarantee equality and protect all citizens regardless of ethnicity or worldview.

Beer Fest and Same-sex Marriages

Addressing personal freedoms, Kadyrov used the example...

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 8. This article contains information about the most favourable rates.

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

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

Financial institutions may change the value...

On Thursday, August 7, a concert of world pop star Jennifer Lopez took place at the Bunyodkor stadium in Tashkent. A correspondent of Kursiv Uzbekistan prepared a photo report from the event.

Kursiv also reports that Jennifer Lopez has publicly thanked Uzbek singer Munisa Rizaeva for the warm welcome she received in Tashkent.

American pop star Jennifer Lopez has publicly thanked Uzbek singer Munisa Rizaeva for the warm welcome she received in Tashkent. In an Instagram Story, Lopez shared her appreciation and attached her latest single, Birthday, to the post.

Rizaeva later reposted the Story on her own Instagram page, sharing the moment with her followers.

? Video: Jennifer Lopez’s Instagram

Earlier, Lopez also shared her excitement about a unique gift she received ahead of her Tashkent concert—a traditional Uzbek lyagan (decorative platter) featuring her portrait. She was also presented with a small gift set by local hosts.

Due to Lopez’s concert...

A man seen lighting a cigarette at the Eternal Flame of the Unknown Soldier beneath Paris’s Arc de Triomphe is facing legal action and the revocation of his residence permit, French officials confirmed Tuesday, as reported by 20minutes.

The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, sparked outrage. In the footage, the man crouches beside the memorial, dedicated to those who died fighting for France, and calmly lights his cigarette before walking away, as stunned tourists look on.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin condemned the act as “shameful and disgraceful,” stating it dishonours the memory of...

Apple has announced plans to invest an additional $100 bn into the U.S. economy, bringing its total planned investments in the country to $600 bn. The announcement was made on August 6 during CEO Tim Cook’s meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Earlier this year, the tech giant had already committed $500 bn in domestic investments. According to Apple, the new funds will be used to expand U.S. manufacturing and reshape existing supply chains. Cook noted that components such as semiconductors and protective glass for iPhones are already being produced at U.S.-based facilities, though final...

At a government meeting focused on the development of the Navoi region, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was informed that investors are ready to invest $566 mln in the development of eight local mineral deposits.

According to officials, investors are particularly interested in deposits located in Uchkuduk, Navbahor, and other districts. These investments are expected to boost industrial output by 2.5 trillion Uzbek soums and increase exports by $100 mln.

In addition, authorities plan to establish an industrial granite processing zone in the Nurata district, where granite reserves are estimated at 750 mln cubic meters.

Beyond the mining sector, the region...

Since the beginning of 2025, more than 360 foreign nationals have left Estonia following orders from the country’s authorities, according to Estonian public broadcaster ERR.

Topping the list of deportations are Russian citizens (108 people), followed by individuals from Moldova (37), Ukraine (24), and Uzbekistan (23).

ERR notes that while most of those deported left voluntarily, some were expelled by direct order from Tallinn.

Estonian authorities have also repatriated citizens from Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia, citing various legal reasons for deportation, ranging from violations of immigration laws to other grounds defined by national legislation.

As previously reported by Kursiv...

American pop star Jennifer Lopez has been gifted a traditional Uzbek “lyagan” (decorative platter) featuring her portrait ahead of her concert in Tashkent. The singer shared a video of the unwrapping on Instagram.

«Oh, how beautiful, thank you,» Lopez says in the clip as she admires the handcrafted gift.

Video: Jennifer Lopez’s Instagram

The concert is scheduled for this evening, August 7, at Bunyodkor Stadium (also known as “Milliy”) in the Uzbek capital. According to a Kursiv Uzbekistan correspondent, ticket registration for the event has already begun.

The show starts at 8:00 PM, with stadium...

James Howells, the British IT worker who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing the private key to 8,000 Bitcoin in 2013, has described losing his final legal bid to retrieve it as «gut-wrenching», as reported by Mirror.

At today’s Bitcoin prices, the lost drive is now worth nearly £700 mln. Howells has spent over a decade trying to recover it from the Docksway landfill in Newport, Wales, where it was mistakenly discarded by his then-girlfriend, Hafina Eddy-Evans.

Despite reports suggesting he had given up, Howells insists he still believes the hard drive could be recovered, though Newport City...

Uzbekistan’s Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection has designated Allmedia Safe Service as a dominant digital platform in the country’s online streaming market, according to an official statement from the agency.

The company operates Allplay, a widely used streaming service that also offers digital TV access and advertising solutions. Its content is available via monthly subscription and includes popular TV series from platforms such as Amediateka and Premier.

Following this designation, Allmedia Safe Service will now be subject to specific antitrust obligations. The platform will be prohibited from engaging in practices that may restrict competition, such...

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended his proposal to recognise a Palestinian state, saying the move is aimed at addressing the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reviving hopes for a two-state solution, as reported by The Independent.

Speaking to Channel 5, Starmer said there was a «sense of revulsion» among the British public over the suffering in Gaza and confirmed that the UK is prepared to formally recognise a Palestinian state as early as September, unless Israel meets a series of conditions. These include the implementation of a ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid and a credible pathway...

Premier League giants Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign young goalkeeper Abdulla Al-Hammadi, as the club continues its ambitious summer rebuild under manager Ruben Amorim, as reported by The Football Deck.

The 20-year-old former Al Wasl player had recently been on trial with Everton but has now been offered a permanent contract by United. While Al-Hammadi is not expected to feature regularly in the first team, he is seen as a strategic addition to strengthen the club’s goalkeeping depth following the departure of Hubert Graczyk earlier this summer.

United’s goalkeeping situation has come under scrutiny after...

The South Korean government will establish a comprehensive support system covering working conditions, industrial safety, and employment services for all foreign workers. This was announced by Labour Minister Kim Young-hoon during the EPS 2025 conference, which focused on improving the country’s employment system for migrant workers.

According to the minister, the authorities will uphold a zero-tolerance policy toward violations of migrant rights and will strengthen efforts to prevent workplace injuries. Plans also include improving housing conditions, expanding access to consultations and providing various forms of daily life support.

The EPS 2025 conference took place on August 6 in Seoul...

According to the figures released by Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, the country exported a total of 130,600 tonnes of watermelons between January and June 2025. The exports generated $29.9 mln in revenue.

This represents a significant increase of 52,700 tonnes compared to the same period in 2024.

The bulk of Uzbekistan’s watermelon exports went to neighbouring and regional markets, with the following countries receiving the highest volumes during the six-month period:

In the first seven months of 2025, the officially recognised segment of Uzbekistan’s taxi market recorded a turnover exceeding 5 trln sums ($399.9 mln), marking a substantial rise in the scale and formalisation of the sector.

A total of 215 taxi aggregators are now integrated with the tax authorities’ information systems, up from 155 at the end of 2024. These platforms facilitated an impressive 262.2 mln trips across the country.

Of the total turnover, 3.6 trln sums ($287.9 mln), or 72.2% were paid in cash. While 1.4 trln sums ($112 mln), or 27.8% were processed via cashless payments. The...

Uzbekistan and Indonesia have entered into a wide-ranging aviation agreement aimed at expanding air connectivity between the two countries. The deal, signed during recent negotiations in Jakarta, removes longstanding restrictions and significantly increases flight rights for both nations.

Under the new arrangement, the two sides agreed to lift all limits on the number of airlines permitted to operate between Uzbekistan and Indonesia. Airlines designated by Uzbekistan can now serve not only Jakarta but also a broader network of Indonesian cities, including Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya, Medan, Yogyakarta, Majalengka, Banda Aceh, Tanjung Pandan and Lombok.

Conversely, carriers appointed by Indonesia will...

Uzbekistan’s Competition Committee has reviewed and approved a takeover application submitted by Multinational Mining Group Overseas PTE Ltd, a company registered in Singapore.

The firm, which specialises in holding operations and corporate investments, intends to acquire 100% of the shares in Multinational Mine Group LLC FE, a company involved in mineral exploration and engineering research in Uzbekistan.

Following a detailed analysis by the Committee’s Special Commission, it was determined that the transaction would not negatively affect competition in the relevant market.

As a result, the Committee granted formal approval for the acquisition to proceed.

Kursiv also reports that...

Jennifer Lopez’s much-anticipated concert takes place today at Milliy Stadium (Bunyodkor Stadium) in Tashkent. To make your experience smooth and stress-free, take a moment to review the entrance map before you arrive.

There are four main entrances to the stadium, each assigned to specific ticket zones: