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The global festival of traditional culture and music, Rukh Sanat, officially opened on August 1 in the city of Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, according to the Cabinet of Ministers’ press service.

Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov expressed confidence that the event would become a vital creative platform for strengthening cultural ties between nations.

«I warmly welcome you to Kyrgyzstan — the land where the monumental epic Manas was born, where hundreds of folk epics, dastans and poems continue to be performed. Here, the art of improvisational singing lives on, and melodies once performed on the world’s grandest stages...

At the Esports World Cup Chess tournament in Riyadh, Uzbekistan’s grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov concluded his run in the quarterfinals.

In this stage, Abdusattorov faced French player Alireza Firouzja. The Uzbek grandmaster missed a key opportunity in the first game due to time pressure and made a critical error in the second. As a result, Firouzja advanced to the semifinals, while Abdusattorov finished in the 5th to 8th place bracket, earning a prize of $90,000.

Another Uzbek player, Javokhir Sindarov, also took part in the prestigious event but was eliminated during the group stage after two losses.

The total...

Uzbekistan Airways and China Southern Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at deepening cooperation, according to the Uzbek airline’s press service, as reported by Kursiv Uzbekistan.

The agreement covers various areas, including interline arrangements, which involve mutual recognition of travel documents, as well as potential collaboration on codeshare agreements and both passenger and cargo services.

«The memorandum lays the groundwork for broader and more diverse cooperation between the two carriers. Uzbekistan Airways sees this as a key step in its strategy to strengthen its presence in Asia,» the company stated.

Han Wensheng, CEO...

Kristina Lefterova, a resident of Yekaterinburg, has taken social media by storm after holding up a sign at Justin Timberlake’s concert in Baku that read, «Help me get married.» On the back, she had written her phone number.

The moment was caught on the stadium’s big screen and quickly spread online after the singer’s amused reaction was shared in a viral video.

Smiling at the unexpected plea, Timberlake joked that he was already married and asked who she was hoping to marry. Kristina replied that she was not referring to him directly but was asking him to pass the...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree introducing additional benefits for Hungarian and European investors operating in the Hungary–Uzbekistan Special Industrial Zone (SIZ), the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade announced.

Investors working within the SIZ will receive tax exemptions for a period of ten years, as provided by national legislation.

According to the ministry, «The Hungary–Uzbekistan Special Industrial Zone is set to become a flagship of Uzbek-Hungarian economic cooperation, showcasing Uzbekistan’s openness to investment and its commitment to a stable business environment.»

The zone will be managed by a dedicated operating company, which...

From September 5 to November 20, Bukhara will host the debut edition of the biennale titled «Recipes for Broken Hearts», as announced by the Uzbekistan Culture and Arts Development Foundation to Kursiv Uzbekistan.

Entry to the event is free. Further information is available on the official website.

Commissioned by the foundation’s chairperson, Gayane Umerova, the biennale is curated by artistic director Diana Campbell. The programme will showcase 70 projects created by artists from Uzbekistan and abroad.

Events will take place at various historical landmarks throughout Bukhara, including the Khoja-Gaukushon Ensemble, the Ayozjon caravanserai, the Ulughbek Tamokifurush complex and other...

At a meeting on developments in the transport sector, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was informed of plans to build a new international airport in the Tashkent region.

It was noted that the existing airport does not meet the required capacity standards and cannot be expanded due to spatial limitations.

«The proposals of foreign companies are currently under review within the framework of a public-private partnership,» the president’s press service reported.

President Mirziyoyev was also briefed on all aspects of the large-scale project.

In addition, a new draft law on highways has been prepared in Uzbekistan...

Uzbekistan will experience mostly dry weather today, on August 2, with wind speeds between 7–12 m/s. Daytime temperatures will range from 31°C to 36°C.

In Tashkent, the capital, conditions will remain dry. Winds are expected to blow at 3–8 m/s, and temperatures will reach between 32°C and 34°C.

In the mountainous regions, brief showers and thunderstorms may occur in some areas. Winds will range from 7–12 m/s, with gusts possibly strengthening to 13–18 m/s. Temperatures will vary between 23°C and 28°C.

According to data from the automated atmospheric monitoring stations in Tashkent at 9:00 AM on 2 August 2025:

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 2. 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...

Jesper Vahr has officially assumed his role as the new head of Denmark’s diplomatic mission in Uzbekistan, the country’s Foreign Minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, announced on August 1.

During a formal meeting in Tashkent, Vahr presented his credentials to Minister Saidov.

“We had a productive discussion exploring numerous opportunities to strengthen our bilateral ties, including enhanced cooperation, facilitating economic ties, and more,” said the minister about the meeting.

Saidov highlighted Uzbekistan’s interest in deepening its engagement with Denmark, stating that Tashkent is ready to explore the full potential of partnership between the two countries.

Kursiv...

Authorities in Navoi have temporarily halted operations at 22 industrial facilities following serious environmental violations linked to air, soil and water pollution. The closures affect a range of plants, including brickworks, asphalt and chemical factories, roofing material producers, medical waste incinerators and illegal dumping sites.

The move follows public concern after clouds of white smoke were observed across the city, prompting a wave of complaints about deteriorating environmental conditions. A working group involving the Prosecutor General’s Office is conducting a two-stage investigation to trace pollution sources and monitor industrial compliance.

Toxic Emissions Exceed Limits as Factories Fail to...

Copper imports from Uzbekistan to Israel reached $7 mln in the first half of 2025, nearly equaling the entire volume for 2024 ($8 million), according to Israeli outlet Ynet. If the current pace continues, the total value could hit $20 mln by the end of the year.

The sharp rise is linked to Turkey’s ban on exports to Israel, which has left Israeli buyers searching for alternative suppliers. Uzbekistan quickly stepped in to fill the gap.

Despite being a landlocked country, Uzbekistan established a new logistics corridor, trucking copper through Georgia, where it is shipped by sea to Israel’s Port...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree for Uzbekistan to join the Interstate Anti-Corruption Council, a regional body aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fight against corruption.

The original agreement was signed in Minsk on October 25, 2013. With this move, Uzbekistan becomes a full-fledged member of the council, joining other participating states in coordinated efforts to combat corruption.

The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send an official notification confirming Uzbekistan’s accession. Once the agreement comes into force, all relevant government bodies will begin implementing its requirements.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reports that Uzbekistan has introduced legislative amendments...

Uzbekistan has established a Customs Appeals Council to address business concerns related to customs clearance procedures. The resolution was officially published on the legal portal Lex.uz.

The council will review complaints from entrepreneurs, offer methodological support to customs authorities, and serve as a platform for dialogue between the private sector and customs agencies. It will also issue recommendations on customs valuation and the application of trade preferences.

The council will be chaired by Akmalkhuja Mavlonov, head of the State Customs Committee. Members will include senior officials from the committee, representatives from the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, the...

The Uzbek government will strictly regulate the construction of the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan resort, warning that any environmental or legal violations will result in an immediate halt to the project.

Speaking on Thursday, Rasul Kusherbayev, advisor to the Minister of Ecology, stated that the upcoming government resolution will clearly outline enforcement measures.

«If even a single drop of water is illegally discharged into Charvak, construction will be stopped, the investment contract terminated, and the land confiscated,» Kusherbayev said.

He noted that the final version of the resolution took into account the concerns of civil society...

With sanctions tightening and geopolitical tensions persisting, Russian agribusinesses are increasingly setting their sights on Uzbekistan. The country offers a growing domestic demand for food, well-established trade routes and a strategic location for reaching the wider Central Asian region.

What products are Russian producers prioritising for export? And how are they securing a foothold in the Uzbek market?

Kursiv Uzbekistan has reviewed the latest export strategy for Russian agricultural goods to Uzbekistan, developed by the Federal Agroexport Centre.

Why Uzbekistan?

Growing consumer demand meets limited domestic output

Food consumption in Uzbekistan is rising steadily, but local production is not...

China will build Kazakhstan’s third nuclear power plant, First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar announced during a government briefing on July 31.

Sklyar confirmed that Chinese firms will now lead two out of three planned nuclear power projects in the country. The locations for the new plants are currently being assessed by Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency and the company Electric Nuclear Power Stations. Key factors include proximity to water sources and energy distribution regions.

Authorities are expected to announce the proposed sites by the end of the year. «There’s absolutely no secrecy here,» Sklyar assured.

China and Russia...

Electronic Arts has revealed new details about Battlefield 6, including nine launch maps set across five countries. Among them is a mountainous map inspired by the rugged terrain of Tajikistan.

Titled Liberation Peak, the map will feature both ground and aerial combat. Players will navigate steep slopes, take advantage of high-altitude vantage points, and use natural rock formations for cover. The location will also include helicopters, jets and armored vehicles.

One of the objectives on the map may involve sabotaging a hydroelectric dam — a mission ending scene involving the dam was leaked online in mid-July. The surrounding mountain scenery...

Uzbekistan has introduced legislative amendments aimed at strengthening the role of the parliamentary opposition, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

Under the new rules, opposition members in the Legislative Chamber may now be appointed as chairpersons of committees and deputy chairs in two parliamentary committees.

The reforms also grant opposition parties the right to propose alternative versions of draft laws before the second reading, and to raise questions during government hour and submit parliamentary inquiries on a quarterly basis.

In the 2024 parliamentary elections, UzLiDeP received 34.75% of the vote, followed by Milliy Tiklanish with 18.82%, Adolat with 16.20%, the...

A replica of a two-tonne bronze cauldron dating back to the reign of Amir Temur (Tamerlan) will be crafted for the Islamic Civilisation Centre in Tashkent, according to the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularisation of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan.

The original cauldron was commissioned by Amir Temur in 1399 and is currently housed in the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Kazakhstan.

With a capacity of approximately 3,000 litres, the cauldron is adorned with intricate Persian and Arabic calligraphy, featuring praises to Allah, as well as verses from the Quran and hadiths.

During Amir Temur’s...

India’s state-run oil companies have stopped buying Russian crude over the past week, citing tighter discounts and growing political pressure from the United States, Reuters reports.

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has become the leading buyer of seaborne Russian oil since 2022. However, recent shifts in global pricing and diplomatic signals appear to be reshaping procurement strategies.

Officials close to purchasing plans at four major state refiners — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemical — confirmed they have made no new requests for Russian oil in the last several days.

Refiners...

Uzbekistan has received advanced radiation control equipment valued at approximately $1 mln from the United States Department of Energy.

The handover ceremony involved US Ambassador Jonathan Henick, officials from Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee and representatives of American government agencies.

The delivery includes fixed and vehicle-mounted radiation detectors designed to help customs officers identify and prevent the illegal transport of radioactive materials across Uzbekistan’s borders.

In addition to the equipment, a new protective shelter has been completed at the Gulbahor customs post. The structure will shield personnel, vehicles and devices from adverse weather, ensuring uninterrupted operations. The project was carried out...

Justin Timberlake has revealed he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition he described as both mentally and physically draining. The announcement came via Instagram on Thursday, shortly after the singer completed the final leg of his Forget Tomorrow world tour in Turkey.

In a reflective message to fans, the former NSYNC frontman admitted that the diagnosis left him contemplating whether to cancel the remainder of the tour. However, he ultimately chose to continue performing, saying the joy he draws from the stage outweighed the physical toll. “I’m so glad I kept going,” he wrote.

Tour Challenges...

Jason Momoa has undergone a striking transformation, shaving off his beard for the first time in six years as he prepares to return in Dune: Part Three. In a recent Instagram video, the actor is seen shaving outdoors and reacting in real time to the change. «Damn it! I hate it,» he says with a grimace.

Reflecting on the last time he was clean-shaven, Momoa recalled filming the first Dune film and launching his eco-friendly bottled water brand, Mananalu, back in 2019.

«Only for you, Denis,» he added, addressing director Denis Villeneuve.