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President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree establishing a nationwide system to support Palestinians in the country, the Ministry of Justice press service has announced.

The decree creates a Republican Commission tasked with assisting Palestinians affected by conflict, along with their accompanying family members, in adapting to life in Uzbekistan.

Financial Assistance for Families

Under the new measures, Palestinians of working age will be eligible for a monthly living allowance. In addition, each family will receive reimbursement for the cost of renting accommodation in their place of residence.

Palestinian residents suffering from illnesses leading to disability...

Dry and breezy weather is forecast across Uzbekistan today, August 15. Winds are expected at 7–12 m/s, occasionally strengthening to 13–18 m/s in some areas, accompanied by light dust near the ground. Daytime temperatures will range between 30°C and 35°C.

In Tashkent, the weather will remain dry with winds of 5–10 m/s. Temperatures in the capital are forecast between 31°C and 33°C.

Mountain regions will also see dry conditions. Winds there are predicted at 7–12 m/s, with occasional gusts of 13–18 m/s. Temperatures will be cooler, ranging from 23°C to 28°C.

Air Quality Remains Safe

As of...

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 15. 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...

Yandex Uzbekistan has opened admissions for Yandex ML School, the first national centre dedicated to training specialists in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analysis.

Entry involves an online test followed by an in-person interview in Tashkent in September. Studies begin in October and tuition is entirely free.

Classes will be held offline in Tashkent over two semesters. The curriculum is built on the Yandex School of Data Analysis model and offers deep training in mathematics, machine learning, statistics and algorithms.

Teaching is in English and blends theory with practice. Students will tackle real industry problems, receive feedback from experts...

In London, Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach Thomas Frank has reflected on his team’s dramatic defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup. Frank said his players had delivered almost a perfect performance against one of Europe’s strongest clubs.

«I am very proud of the players, the team, the club, the fans. I think the players gave everything playing against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best at the moment. First 75-80 minutes were perfect. But it’s down to the smallest of margins in the penalty shootout, it’s like a...

Uzbekistan and Hong Kong (China) are working on plans to introduce direct cargo and passenger flights, the Uzbek Ministry of Transport has announced.

The proposal was discussed between Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Transport Jasurbek Choriev and representatives of Hong Kong’s JDB Group Limited. Both sides agreed that regular non-stop services would strengthen business ties, improve logistics and stimulate tourism between the two economies.

Chinese carrier Hong Kong Airlines is being considered as the potential operator for the route.

Talks also covered a separate initiative to establish an International Aviation Academy in Uzbekistan. The institution would train pilots, flight attendants...

Uzbekistan will abolish customs duties on blended fabrics until the start of 2028 as part of measures to support its textile sector. The decision was announced at a meeting on industry development chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Imported textiles will also be exempt from customs duties during this period, providing manufacturers with access to cheaper raw materials and helping to reduce production costs.

In addition, dyeing plants that pool resources to build water treatment facilities will be eligible for cost compensation, funded by the Trade Development Company.

The meeting also highlighted that over the past five years...

China and India are negotiating the revival of border trade that has been on hold since 2020, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Beijing is keen to accelerate discussions with India on reopening the routes. New Delhi did not comment on Bloomberg’s request.

For more than three decades merchants on both sides traded at three Himalayan posts, dealing mainly in spices, electrical goods, furniture and livestock feed. The volumes were small — a combined $3.16 mln in 2017 and 2018 — yet the exchanges mattered to local economies and symbolised a working relationship...

In the past five years, Uzbekistan has launched 396 large-scale textile enterprises with a combined investment of $3.5 bn, according to figures shared at a meeting on industry development chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Over this period, total output in the sector reached $10 bn, and the industry now employs around 500,000 people. However, the meeting heard that production and export growth has slowed in light of the current global political climate. Officials stressed the need for measures to maintain output and protect jobs.

A key challenge is the sharp decline in global cotton prices, which has significantly...

Uzbekistan will establish a Light Industry Development Agency to oversee the country’s textile, leather and silk sectors, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at a sector meeting. The move is designed to coordinate policy, attract investment and speed up modernisation across the value chain.

Nozimjon Kholmurodov, first deputy minister of investments, industry and trade, has been appointed to head the agency. An advisory council of experienced entrepreneurs will sit under the new body, and a dedicated fund will provide manufacturers with accessible working capital. The fund will be launched with $200 mln in initial financing.

Working with international advisers, the...

Uzbekistan’s elite combatants will join counterparts from South Korea, Cambodia, New Zealand and the United States in a high-level military skills competition next month in Inje County, Gangwon Province.

The 3rd Korea International Combat Training Competition (K-ICTC) will run from September 20 to 26, hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defence and organised by the Army. Designed as a platform for military exchange, the contest brings together top soldiers from around the world to test their tactical abilities in realistic battle conditions using advanced science-based combat technology. Now in its third year, K-ICTC is steadily building a reputation...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has ordered the opening of two Uzbek textile trading houses in St Louis and New York as part of a drive to expand the country’s presence in the United States.

Speaking at a meeting on the development of the textile industry, the president noted that the American market is worth $100 bn annually. With alternative support measures, Uzbekistan could increase its exports to the US by five to six times. He emphasised that expanding shipments of clothing to both the US and European markets is a strategic priority.

The president tasked the Agency for Technical...

Joachim Löw, 65, has repeatedly said that coaching another national team would appeal to him. However, the 2014 World Cup-winning manager has now turned down an offer — one that included leading a side at the 2026 tournament, Bild reports.

According to Uzbek media and Austrian outlet oe24, Uzbekistan approached Löw to take charge of their national team. The country has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history and plans to make a bold impression at next year’s competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Uzbek Football Association, currently ranked 55th in the...

The closing track of Lisa’s latest album Alter Ego, titled Dream, offers a strikingly intimate portrait of the K-pop star’s past emotional wounds. The song stands out as one of the most vulnerable moments in the collection, with Lisa reflecting on someone deeply important to her and imagining a future where they might reconnect, even if only as friends.

In the opening verse, she ponders the other person’s feelings, wondering, «Are you happy? Are you sad? Are you always gonna hate me for that night in Tokyo?» She recalls hoping their parting might leave space for reconciliation, only to...

On Wednesday August 14, dry and sunny conditions are expected across Uzbekistan with no rainfall forecast. Daytime winds will generally blow at 7–12 m/s, occasionally strengthening to 13–18 m/s in certain areas, carrying dust at ground level. Temperatures will range between 32°C and 37°C in most regions.

In Tashkent, the weather will remain dry with light to moderate winds at 5–10 m/s. The maximum temperature in the capital is forecast at 33°C–35°C.

Mountain regions will also stay dry, with winds between 7–12 m/s, strengthening locally to 13–18 m/s. Temperatures here will be milder, between 25°C and 30°C.

As of...

Golden, the standout song from Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, has soared to the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100, marking another milestone for the summer sensation. The track’s success makes it the first K-pop song by female singers to claim the top spot, and only the ninth K-pop song overall to achieve this feat.

Netflix’s animated phenomenon

The film follows the adventures of Huntr/x, a fictional K-pop girl group who use music to protect humanity from demons. Released in June, it has since become Netflix’s most-watched animated film, with its soundtrack playing a key role...

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 14. 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...

Russian authorities have started restricting certain types of calls on Telegram and WhatsApp, the country’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said on Wednesday, according to Interfax news agency.

Officials said the move is aimed at fighting crime, including extortion and terrorism, after both platforms allegedly ignored requests to block such activity. Other functions of the apps remain available.

The decision comes weeks after President Vladimir Putin signed a law to create a state-backed messaging service connected to government services. Moscow has been pushing to replace foreign platforms with domestic ones, a drive that accelerated after many Western tech firms left Russia...

Standard Chartered has lifted its year-end forecast for ether to $7,500 from $4,000, citing stronger industry engagement and rising holdings of the cryptocurrency. The target is nearly 60% above Wednesday’s 3½-year high of $4,700.

The bank’s head of digital assets research, Geoff Kendrick, said growth in the stablecoin sector, projected to expand eightfold by 2028, would significantly boost Ethereum network fees, as most stablecoins operate on its blockchain.

Ether has surged over 50% in the past month, helped by the passage of the Genius Act, a new U.S. law regulating dollar-pegged stablecoins. Standard Chartered also raised its 2028 year-end...

Do Kwon, the former head of Terraform Labs, has pleaded guilty in a New York court to two counts of fraud linked to the 2022 collapse of cryptocurrencies TerraUSD and Luna, which wiped out more than $40bn in investor value.

Wearing a yellow prison jumpsuit, the South Korean entrepreneur admitted making «false and misleading statements» about efforts to restore TerraUSD’s $1 peg, apologising for his conduct.

Under a plea deal, prosecutors will seek no more than a 12-year sentence, though Judge Paul Engelmayer could impose up to 25 years when sentencing takes place on 11 December. Kwon will forfeit...

Firefighters in Greece are tackling dozens of wildfires as a severe heatwave grips southern Europe, forcing thousands to evacuate.

In the last 24 hours, Greece has recorded over 150 new fires. More than 4,800 firefighters are working to contain multiple blazes across the country. At least three people have died in Spain, Albania, and Turkey, and many others, including firefighters, have been treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

Temperatures have topped 40°C in several countries, with France and Slovenia hitting new records.

In Greece, flames have destroyed homes, businesses, and farmland on the islands of Chios and Zakynthos, and...

A major political dispute has erupted in India after opposition parties accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of large-scale irregularities in the 2024 general election — claims the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ECI firmly deny.

On Tuesday, parliament was adjourned as opposition MPs demanded a debate on what Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called «vote theft.» A day earlier, Gandhi and dozens of opposition figures were briefly detained in Delhi while marching to the ECI’s headquarters.

«Widespread voter manipulation» took place during the election, Gandhi alleged on 7 August, citing constituency-level data he says came from...

Chloe Malle, daughter of actress Candice Bergen and French film-maker Louis Malle, is widely seen as the favourite to succeed Anna Wintour at the helm of US Vogue, Page Six reports. Currently serving as editor of Vogue.com, the 39-year-old is said to be in the final stages of interviews for the post of head of editorial content.

A favourite among Vogue staff

Malle, a popular figure within the editorial team, recently fronted an interview with Lauren Sanchez for her cover story ahead of Sanchez’s opulent Venetian wedding to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Sources say Condé Nast’s top executives...

Meta has reported that its artificial intelligence systems are beginning to improve themselves without human intervention, a development CEO Mark Zuckerberg says marks «the first step towards achieving artificial superintelligence (ASI).»

«Over the last few months we have begun to see glimpses of our AI systems improving themselves,» Zuckerberg wrote in a policy paper on July 30. «The improvement is slow for now, but undeniable.»

ASI refers to AI that can far exceed human intelligence and self-enhance at an exponential rate a concept long debated in the tech world. While optimistic about its potential...