News

On August 27 in Tashkent, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iwaya Takeshi, met his Uzbek counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov for the inaugural Japan-Uzbekistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. The talks, which lasted around 90 minutes, focused on strengthening bilateral relations and regional cooperation.

Minister Saidov welcomed Minister Iwaya on his first official visit to Uzbekistan and voiced his commitment to expanding cooperation with Japan in diverse areas through this new dialogue framework. Minister Iwaya, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the invitation and stressed that Japan regards Uzbekistan as an important strategic partner in upholding a free and open international order...

Chinese automaker BYD has announced that its Yangwang U9 engineering test car has achieved a top speed of 472.41 km/h, setting a new global record for electric vehicles.

The achievement comes less than a year after the model established a national benchmark by hitting 391.94 km/h in a speed test last November. The latest run represents a 20.53% improvement, placing the U9 firmly among the fastest hypercars in the world.

At 472 km/h, the Yangwang U9 holds the title of China’s fastest car and now competes with renowned combustion-engine machines. For comparison, the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut reaches 531 km/h...

Chinese President Xi Jinping will welcome more than 20 world leaders to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, in what analysts see as a show of Global South unity and support for sanctions-hit Russia, as reported by Reuters.

Among the attendees are Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking Modi’s first trip to China in over seven years. The visit comes after deadly 2020 border clashes and as the two Asian powers pursue a fragile détente.

«Xi will want to use the summit...

The US President Donald Trump has responded to the news that pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce are engaged.

Swift and Kelce shared the announcement through a joint Instagram post on Tuesday afternoon, sparking widespread excitement online. Trump, meanwhile, was in the middle of a lengthy cabinet meeting and only learnt of the engagement when asked by a reporter.

«Well, I wish them a lot of luck,» he said. «I think he’s a great player, I think he’s a great guy and I think that she’s a terrific person. So I...

Apple has officially sent invitations for its next keynote, confirming that its major product showcase will take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific (1 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. U.K.) at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino. The event will centre on the launch of the iPhone 17 line and the latest Apple Watches, with several important dates now falling into place.

The iPhone 17 Line-up

This year’s smartphones are expected to include the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and a new slim version, thought to be branded iPhone 17 Air.

On August 26 Uzbekistan inaugurated its first Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Tashkent with the support of the European Union and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). The centre forms part of the EU-funded PROTECT project, which is working across Central Asia and the Silk Routes region to improve migration management and protect migrants.

The Tashkent MRC will provide citizens with clear information on safe and legal migration channels, while raising awareness of the dangers of irregular migration and trafficking. Services include awareness sessions, targeted information campaigns, pre-departure counselling for migrants and reintegration support for returnees.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially engaged, with the Kansas City Chiefs player proposing to the singer in a private garden in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, nearly two weeks ago.

Kelce’s father, Ed, revealed to CNN affiliate WEWS that he had known of his son’s plans for months.

«They were about to go out to dinner when he suggested having a glass of wine outside,» he explained. «That’s when he asked her and it was beautiful. They started FaceTiming me, their mother and her family to share the news. To see them together is great.»

The weather in Uzbekistan on Wednesday August 27 will remain dry, with no rainfall expected across the country. Winds are forecast at 7–12 m/s, while daytime temperatures are set to range between 34°C and 39°C.

In Tashkent, conditions will also stay dry with lighter winds of 3–8 m/s. The capital is expected to see daytime highs of 37°C to 39°C.

Mountain areas are forecast to experience similarly dry weather, with winds at 7–12 m/s and temperatures between 27°C and 32°C.

Air Quality Levels in Tashkent

According to data from automatic monitoring stations at 9:00 on August 27, fine...

New leaks suggest that Apple is preparing to launch its long-rumoured foldable iPhone as soon as September 2026, with major changes that could transform the smartphone market.

According to Bloomberg’s Apple analyst Mark Gurman, the so-called iPhone Fold will feature a book-style horizontal design, four cameras, and an ultra-thin body measuring just 4.8mm when unfolded. Perhaps most striking, Apple may abandon Face ID in favour of Touch ID due to size constraints.

«Those who try the new foldable device will never want to go back,’» Gurman said.

He also noted that Apple’s delay in...

SpaceX launched its giant Starship rocket from its Starbase facility on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, marking the spacecraft’s first fully successful test flight after a series of failed attempts, as reported by Bloomberg.

The 122-meter rocket lifted off at 6:30 p.m. local time, deploying eight dummy satellites into space before splashing down in the Indian Ocean just over an hour later. Its Super Heavy booster separated three minutes after launch and safely landed in the Gulf of Mexico, as planned.

No crew were aboard, but CEO Elon Musk has said Starship will eventually carry people and cargo to the...

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 27. 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...

Cadillac have confirmed Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their driver pairing for the marque’s long-awaited Formula 1 debut in 2026.

The American outfit, backed by General Motors and overseen by former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon, will join the grid as the sport’s 11th team. In a statement, Lowdon said the decision to recruit such seasoned competitors was a clear demonstration of intent.

Experience at the Core of Cadillac’s Line-Up

Perez and Bottas bring a combined 527 Grand Prix starts and 16 race victories. Both have signed multi-year contracts, offering Cadillac an experienced foundation for their new...

UzAuto Motors has officially introduced the Chevrolet Tahoe High Country to the Uzbek market. Correspondent of Kursiv Uzbekistan prepared a detailed photo report from the launch event.

The SUV comes with a powerful 420-horsepower engine and features retractable side steps as well as a hands-free boot opening system. Prices for the new model start at 1.4 bn soums ($118,538). Interior upgrades include a redesigned steering wheel and dashboard, along with a steering column gear selector. The vehicle also boasts improved climate control and an advanced multimedia system.

According to the company, the Tahoe High Country is equipped with all-wheel...

Gamescom 2025, held in Cologne from August 20–24, shattered expectations and records alike, cementing its status as the world’s largest gaming convention. With over 350,000 attendees from 130 countries and more than 1,200 exhibitors, this year’s event was not only a celebration of gaming culture but also a reflection of global socio-political currents.

Breaking Records and Setting New Standards

This year’s Gamescom broke two major records: the highest number of visitors and the largest international participation in its history. The exhibition halls buzzed with energy, with queues stretching for hours and hotels across Cologne and neighbouring cities booked...

V, one of the stars of global K-pop phenomenon BTS, thrilled fans on August 25 night as he threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. His appearance came shortly after a warm meeting with baseball’s two-way icon Shohei Ohtani.

Taking the mound in a Dodgers No. 7 jersey tucked into faded jeans, the singer, whose real name is Kim Taehyung, bowed towards pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto before sending a neat left-handed strike into his glove. The stadium erupted as fans screamed throughout his turn on the field.

V kept the crowd buzzing by delivering the traditional...

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA is strengthening its presence in Uzbekistan’s water sector as part of a major international expansion. The company has agreed to acquire Spanish water solutions firm GS Inima for $1.2 bn, making it the centrepiece of its global strategy in desalination and wastewater treatment.

The transaction, which is set to close next year, marks TAQA’s biggest investment outside the UAE. With the deal, the company will gain access to eight new markets, including Brazil and Mexico, while consolidating its projects already under way in Uzbekistan and Morocco.

GS Inima operates close to 50 projects, of which around...

A high-pressure gas blowout at an exploration well in Muynak, Karakalpakstan, has been successfully contained by Uzbekneftgaz.

The incident occurred on July 26 at the company’s newly drilled No. 1 well, which has a planned depth of 5,000 metres. Gas was unexpectedly released when drilling reached 4,707 metres.

To tackle the emergency, Uzbekneftgaz immediately set up a round-the-clock operational headquarters. It included specialists from the militarised unit responsible for preventing and eliminating open fountains of gas, staff from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, local authorities, and experts from other relevant organisations.

A rapid response roadmap was drawn up...

The competition schedule for the World Boxing Championships 2025, which will take place from September 4 to 14 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, has been officially released. More than 550 athletes from over 65 countries are expected to take part, making it one of the largest tournaments in international amateur boxing.

Opening Day

The action will begin on Thursday September 4 at 11:00 (BST) with the women’s light-flyweight (48kg), flyweight (51kg) and middleweight (75kg), alongside the men’s bantamweight (55kg), welterweight (65kg) and light-middleweight (70kg).

Evening session that day will feature contests in the women’s bantamweight (54kg...

Chris Columbus, who directed the first two Harry Potter films, has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding author JK Rowling and her remarks on transgender rights.

In an interview with Variety, Columbus said:

«I like to sometimes separate the artist from the art, I think that’s important to do. It’s unfortunate, what’s happened. I certainly don’t agree with what she’s talking about. But it’s just sad, it’s very sad.»

Rowling, who has denied being transphobic, has been criticized for her comments on gender identity, including her support of the UK Supreme Court ruling that...

SpaceX aborted the highly anticipated 10th test flight of its Starship rocket on August 25, 2025, after engineers reported a last-minute issue with ground systems.

The two-stage rocket, the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage, had been fully stacked and loaded with propellant at the company’s Starbase facility in southern Texas. Liftoff was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. local time but was halted about 15 minutes before launch. SpaceX later said it was «standing down to troubleshoot» and did not confirm a new date, though local road closures suggest a possible retry this week.

This setback adds to a troubled...

Brazil’s government said Monday it will purchase domestic products affected by the 50% U.S. tariff hike, including acai, coconut water, mangoes, honey, fish and Brazil nuts, to support local producers. The goods will be distributed to schools or stockpiled nationwide, as reported by The Independent.

The tariffs, imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, have also hit Brazilian coffee and beef, but those products were excluded from the government’s buyback program. Agrarian Development Minister Paulo Teixeira said those exports are still in demand globally and can find alternative buyers.

The trade dispute has strained ties between Washington and Brasília...

Some of the biggest names in world football have landed in Tashkent ahead of the Uzbekistan Futsal Super Cup 2025. Among the stars are Roberto Carlos, Franck Ribéry, Fabio Cannavaro, Dida, Marco Materazzi, Claude Makélélé, Cristian Zaccardo, Serginho, Maicon and Kevin Kurányi.

The legendary players will attend the Super Cup clash between BMB and Oil Star, scheduled for August 26 at the Humo Arena. The event promises to draw large crowds as fans will also have the chance to meet the visiting football icons.

In addition, special events are planned for August 27, including a friendly fixture that will...

Beeline Uzbekistan has once again been recognized as one of the world’s leading employers, receiving the prestigious Top Employer 2025 international certification for the second year in a row. The award highlights the company’s outstanding achievements in people management and its high standards in creating favorable working conditions and development opportunities for employees.

The Top Employer 2025 certification reaffirms Beeline Uzbekistan’s commitment to global standards in human resources management and to providing the best conditions for employee growth. People remain the company’s most valuable asset, which is why Beeline actively implements advanced practices — from HR digitalization and KPI automation...

Uzbekistan has significantly increased its imports of dates this year, according to the National Statistics Committee. Between January and July 2025 the country brought in 12,600 tonnes of dates from 17 different nations, with a total value of $9 mln.

The volume is 4,900 tonnes higher than in the same period of 2024, underscoring the growing popularity of dates on the Uzbek market.

Iran was by far the largest supplier, providing 9,800 tonnes in the first seven months of the year. Tunisia followed with 810 tonnes, while Turkey shipped 396 tonnes. Imports from Saudi Arabia reached 245 tonnes, with...