News

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a working visit to St. Petersburg on June 4–5 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the launch of Uzbekistan’s first integrated nuclear power plant expected to be a centerpiece of the trip.

According to the presidential press service, Mirziyoyev will participate in the plenary session of the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where he is expected to discuss global economic trends, Uzbekistan’s development priorities and prospects for expanding economic cooperation with Russia.

The visit will also include bilateral talks with Putin and a ceremony marking the start...

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has highlighted the city’s role as a “super connector” between China and global markets during a business luncheon in Tashkent, calling for deeper economic cooperation with Central Asia.

Speaking to government officials, business leaders and investors in Uzbekistan’s capital, Lee said Hong Kong could serve as a gateway for Central Asian companies seeking access to international finance, trade networks and investment opportunities. He emphasized the city’s position under the “one country, two systems” framework and its role as a bridge between mainland China and the rest of the world.

Lee pointed to...

FIFA has come under fire after making a last-minute scheduling change for a 2026 World Cup match, with critics warning that the decision could expose players and supporters to dangerous temperatures.

The controversy centers on a fixture that was moved to an earlier kickoff time despite forecasts of extreme heat in the host city. Player welfare advocates and football commentators have described the decision as “disgraceful,” arguing that it increases the risk of heat-related illnesses during the tournament.

Medical experts have repeatedly warned that high temperatures and humidity can pose serious health risks to athletes, particularly during high-intensity...

Argentina has renewed its opposition to oil exploration around the Falkland Islands, threatening legal action against a British energy company involved in offshore drilling projects near the disputed territory.

The Argentine government said it would pursue measures against firms operating in waters it considers part of its sovereign territory, escalating a long-running dispute over natural resources in the South Atlantic. The latest warning is aimed at a British oil exploration company seeking to advance development plans in the Falklands.

Buenos Aires maintains its claim to the islands, which it calls the Malvinas, and has repeatedly challenged oil and...

A Northern Ireland YouTuber has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 31 years after murdering his pregnant girlfriend and attempting to cover up the crime with a fake gaming livestream.

Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted of killing 32-year-old Natalie McNally at her home in Lurgan in December 2022. Prosecutors said he carefully planned the attack and used a pre-recorded six-hour YouTube broadcast to create the impression that he was at home playing video games at the time of the murder.

Investigators initially accepted the apparent alibi, but cybercrime experts later determined that the...

JJ Slater, the husband of British media personality Katie Price, is reportedly facing legal and financial difficulties after being released from a prison in Dubai, with outstanding costs and penalties said to exceed £100,000.

According to media reports, Slater was detained in the United Arab Emirates following a dispute linked to unpaid debts and financial obligations. His release was reportedly secured after negotiations involving legal representatives and local authorities.

Sources cited by British tabloids claim that the reality TV personality’s husband now faces substantial bills related to the case, including legal fees, settlement costs and other expenses incurred...

FIFA is facing an $18 mln lawsuit after a large football-themed mural in Dallas was painted over as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to court filings in the United States.

The legal action was brought by the artists behind the mural, who claim the artwork was destroyed without proper notice or compensation. The piece had become a well-known landmark in Dallas, one of the host cities for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The plaintiffs argue that the mural was protected under U.S. laws covering artists’ rights and...

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended his decision to attend a UFC event alongside President Donald Trump while negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with Iran were underway, rejecting criticism that he had neglected diplomatic responsibilities.

The controversy stems from Rubio’s appearance at a UFC event in Miami with Trump and UFC president Dana White while peace talks involving Iran faced setbacks. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argued that senior U.S. officials should have prioritized negotiations over attending a sporting event during a major international crisis.

Rubio responded by saying that diplomacy continued through other channels and...

The American agricultural sector is on high alert after the New World screwworm was detected in a calf in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of the flesh-eating parasitic fly on Wednesday evening, marking a severe new threat to the national cattle herd, Reuters reports.

The confirmed case occurred in La Pryor, a small town situated roughly 30 miles northeast of the Mexican border. This development is a devastating blow for American cattle ranchers who have spent the last year anxiously monitoring the pest’s steady northward advance through Mexico.

According to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins

Marjane Satrapi, the pioneering Iranian-French artist, animator and Oscar-nominated filmmaker, has passed away at the age of 56, Deadline reports. Close friends and family confirmed the news in a statement sent to the AFP on June 3.

They revealed that the visionary creator died of sadness just over a year after the loss of her husband and frequent collaborator Mattias Ripa. The producer, actor and screenwriter passed away on April 8, 2025.

Early life and exile

Born in the northwestern Iranian city of Rasht on November 22, 1969, Satrapi experienced a comfortable yet politically charged upbringing in Tehran...

Uzbekistan has taken substantial strides in its transition towards sustainable development but still faces considerable hurdles in combating environmental pollution.

These findings were detailed by experts from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) during the presentation of the Fourth Environmental Performance Review in Samarkand.

UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean praised the nation’s efforts, noting that Uzbekistan has executed ambitious reforms and embraced innovative methods to foster green development, renewable energy and nature-based solutions.

Significant green milestones

The country has successfully actioned 77% of previous UNECE recommendations. A key environmental success includes atmospheric pollutant emissions dropping by...

Waldemar Anton is currently drawing significant attention from the Premier League. The Almalyk-born defender, who currently plays for German side Borussia, has reportedly caught the eye of Manchester United scouts.

According to the publication Bulinews, the English heavyweights are prepared to test Borussia’s resolve with a substantial offer of €40.5 mln for the player. This is not the first time the talented centre-back has attracted interest from top-tier European clubs as he was previously on the radar of both Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid.

From Almalyk to Bundesliga

Anton’s journey to the heights of European football began in Uzbekistan...

Uzbekistan’s State Assets Management Agency (UzSAMA) announced the winner of its tender to privatise a 100% state stake in the mobile network operator MobiUz, legally known as Universal Mobile Systems.

The successful bidder is an investor consortium led by U.S.-based McKim and Company with the active participation of JVR Enterprises LLC. The agreed deal values the telecom company at $351 mln. Furthermore, the new owners have pledged to invest up to $500 mln into developing and modernising the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure.

To facilitate the complex transaction, the Uzbek government brought in a suite of high-profile international consultants. Rothschild...

Mark, a former standout member of the popular K-pop group NCT, has strongly suggested he is preparing for a return to the music industry.

On Wednesday he shared an intriguing video clip via the social media channels of Upper Room, an enterprise widely believed to be his newly formed independent agency.

The musician also linked the new venture in the introduction of his personal social media profile. The launch generated immediate excitement among fans and former colleagues alike. His ex-bandmate Chenle was quick to show his support by leaving firework emojis under one of the three promotional videos uploaded to...

World Cup spectators will be prohibited from bringing reusable water bottles into match venues following a late amendment to FIFA’s Stadium Code of Conduct. The governing body confirmed the safety-driven policy shift on Thursday, Reuters reports.

The updated regulations, which came into force on Tuesday, reverse a previous guideline that would have permitted fans to carry empty transparent plastic bottles into the grounds. The comprehensive ban now covers all outside bottles, cups, jars and cans to eliminate the risk of items being thrown and causing potential injury.

In a statement provided to Reuters, FIFA emphasised its absolute dedication to...

Citizens of Uzbekistan and Hong Kong will soon be able to visit each other’s territories without requiring a visa for stays of up to 30 days. This development in travel policy emerged from recent high-level talks designed to deepen bilateral ties.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu shared the news following successful discussions with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov. During their meeting, the two leaders exchanged a formal verbal note to seal their commitment to the initiative.

Both administrations are keen to see the new travel rules take effect swiftly. Lee Ka-chiu confirmed that government representatives...

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed during a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing that the Trump administration supports the abolition of the Jackson-Vanik amendment for countries in Central Asia.

“We believe this would be beneficial,” he remarked to the committee members.

The top American diplomat also announced his intention to hold a C5+1 meeting. This key diplomatic gathering is expected to take place later this year in one of the Central Asian republics.

Early last year, Rubio argued that applying this outdated amendment to the region was a relic of the Cold War. He...

Uzbekistan is set to upgrade its transport network by installing 700 tourist road signs and navigation boards across its major highways. This ambitious infrastructure push was a central talking point during recent high-level discussions between the nation’s Tourism Committee and the World Bank.

Abdulaziz Akkulov, the Chairman of the Tourism Committee, recently met with Ming Zhang, the World Bank’s Global Director for Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience and Land. The two officials explored future collaborative efforts focused on expanding the tourism sector, building state-of-the-art infrastructure and strengthening the economic capabilities of local regions.

Strategic goals and international support

During...

Jennifer Aniston is reportedly weighing offers for a memoir that could be worth as much as $20 mln, as public interest in her past relationship with Brad Pitt and his subsequent marriage to Angelina Jolie continues to attract attention.

According to media reports, publishers are eager to secure a book deal with the actress, believing readers would be interested in previously untold details about her career, personal life and experiences in Hollywood. The potential memoir is also expected to address major moments in Aniston’s life, including the highly publicized end of her marriage to Pitt in 2005.

Industry...

England forward Marcus Rashford will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with questions surrounding his club future despite impressing during his loan spell at Barcelona.

The 28-year-old revived his form in Spain after leaving Manchester United on a temporary deal, contributing goals and assists as Barcelona secured domestic silverware and advanced deep into European competition. His performances also helped him regain a place in the England squad ahead of the World Cup.

Despite his resurgence, Rashford’s long-term future remains unresolved. Barcelona are reportedly interested in keeping the forward but have yet to reach an agreement over a...

Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was unable to travel to the United States with his national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after his travel authorization was unexpectedly placed under review by U.S. authorities.

The 29-year-old striker was due to fly with the Swiss squad from Zurich to Los Angeles on Tuesday before joining the team’s training camp in San Diego. However, the Swiss Football Association said Embolo’s ESTA authorization, which allows visa-free travel to the U.S., was flagged for further review shortly before departure.

According to Swiss media, the review is linked to a court ruling...

Following the dramatic reveal of God of War Laufey at the latest Sony State of Play presentation, many fans assumed they were in for a lengthy wait. The complete absence of even a tentative release window led to widespread speculation that the highly anticipated Santa Monica Studio project was still in its infancy.

However, prominent Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier has stepped in to quash these concerns. Sharing his thoughts shortly after the broadcast concluded, he strongly hinted that the gap between the game’s initial announcement and its eventual launch will be surprisingly short.

“Unlike...

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on imports from 60 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, India and Japan, arguing that they have failed to do enough to prevent goods made with forced labour from entering their markets.

The proposal, announced by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), would introduce additional duties of 10% on some countries and 12.5% on others. Washington says the measures are intended to protect American workers from unfair competition linked to forced labour practices in global supply chains.

The move follows a Section...

Melissa Sloan, widely known as the world’s most tattooed woman, has revealed that she regularly travels overseas to undergo extreme body modification procedures that are illegal or heavily restricted in the United Kingdom.

Sloan, who has become a social media sensation for covering nearly her entire body in tattoos, said she has flown to countries including Spain to receive procedures that are difficult or impossible to obtain legally at home. The modifications reportedly include cosmetic alterations that fall outside standard medical regulations.

The 48-year-old has gained international attention for her unconventional appearance and claims to have received hundreds...