News

FC Barcelona produced a commanding attacking display in Seoul today, on July 31, leading FC Seoul 7–3 as the match entered its final quarter. The friendly, held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, drew nearly 63,000 spectators and featured high-profile performances from both sides. Among those in attendance were members of K-pop group ITZY, who were spotted in the stands enjoying the spectacle.

Early Dominance from the Visitors

Barcelona wasted no time establishing control. In the 10th minute, Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring after a quick attack involving Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal. The 16-year-old Yamal then doubled...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan, acting as the national coordinator, has developed a comprehensive national policy to implement the international We-Finance Code initiative. This strategic document is designed to establish an institutional framework that promotes a supportive environment for the growth of women’s entrepreneurship across Uzbekistan.

The new policy aims to unify relevant public and private stakeholders in creating a resilient ecosystem that encourages gender-responsive financial policies grounded in data. It also seeks to elevate Uzbekistan’s international reputation by advancing successful reforms and adopting global best practices. Participants in the initiative will gain access to international partnerships, innovative tools...

Aston Martin Lagonda is preparing to sell its minority stake in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team, with the transaction expected to close in Q3 2025. The deal, valued at £110 mln, places the Silverstone-based team’s overall worth at more than £2.4 bn, according to Bloomberg.

The sale aligns with Aston Martin Lagonda’s strategy to boost liquidity and follows its March announcement to offload shares. The brand will continue to sponsor the F1 team through a long-term commercial agreement, maintaining the “Aston Martin” name in the championship.

Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree Investments, already the team’s majority backer, is increasing...

Uzbekistan is set to launch the construction of toll roads connecting its capital Tashkent with the cities of Andijan and Samarkand from next year, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s three-year fiscal strategy.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to upgrade key international highways across the country. Funding for the project is expected to come from global financial institutions.

Alongside road development, the government is preparing to roll out a high-speed rail link between Tashkent and Samarkand. Authorities are also planning a new rail route connecting Nukus and Bukhara.

Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov previously stated...

As the academic season approaches, Google has unveiled a major update to its AI Mode in Search, introducing new tools designed to help users — whether students, educators or just curious minds — navigate complex topics and manage information more effectively.

Now available on desktop, the new AI Mode button on the Google homepage offers a gateway to a set of features that combine search intelligence with personalised assistance.

Search Smarter with PDFs and Images

Already available in the Google app for Android and iOS, AI Mode now lets desktop users ask detailed questions about images, and soon...

On July 30, 2025, a roundtable on Uzbekistan’s low-carbon strategy and green energy certification was held at the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies. Representatives from government, international bodies, banks and the private sector gathered to discuss carbon neutrality by 2055 and the use of renewable energy certificates.

Participants also addressed the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will impose carbon taxes on certain imports starting January 1, 2026. I-REC certificates could help Uzbek exporters maintain access to the European market by proving clean energy usage.

Texnopark Registers First Solar Station

A key outcome was the agreement...

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan has signed a decree introducing a temporary state monopoly on the supply and provision of international internet traffic. The order, which comes into effect on August 15, 2025 and remains valid for one year, hands exclusive control to ElCat, a telecommunications company nationalised four months ago.

Under the decree, all domestic telecom and internet service providers are required to transfer their agreements and international connectivity contracts to ElCat. Operators have been given a two-month window to complete the transition.

Although the government has not yet specified how the monopoly will be enforced or what...

Yandex Uzbekistan has announced the launch of an enhanced version of its search engine, Yandex Search, now equipped with neural networks trained specifically on the Uzbek language.

According to a statement shared with Kursiv by the company’s press office, the update significantly improves the engine’s ability to understand Uzbek-language queries and deliver relevant content from across the internet.

The upgraded system also includes translation features, enabling users to convert Russian and English content into Uzbek. As a result, over 11.6 mln texts are now available to Uzbek-speaking users through the platform.

Users can also access a dedicated Yandex AI option...

Toyota has announced record-breaking global sales and production figures for the first six months of 2025, buoyed by continued demand across key markets such as North America, Japan and China. The company, which remains the world’s largest automaker, saw global sales rise by 5.5% year-on-year to over 5.1 mln vehicles from January to June.

A key contributor to this growth was Toyota’s hybrid line-up, which accounted for roughly 43% of all units sold during the period. The firm also reported a 5.8% year-on-year increase in global vehicle production, reaching 4.9 mln units. These figures include the output and sales...

Alexander Romanovsky, a 38-year-old former professional ice hockey player for Spartak Moscow, has been suspended from competitive darts for 18 months following an altercation at a national tournament. The Russian Darts Federation confirmed the disciplinary action on its official website.

The incident occurred during the Upper Volga Cup, a national-level darts competition. Romanovsky, who currently represents the Moscow team, reportedly became involved in a heated dispute with Andrey Pryalkin, a decorated Russian darts player and championship medallist. The argument escalated when Romanovsky struck Pryalkin in the face, resulting in a nasal injury.

Romanovsky’s sporting background includes 71 games and...

Manchester United delivered a confident performance against Bournemouth in the Summer Premier League series on July 31, 2025, securing a 4–1 win with contributions from four different goalscorers. The result showcased both sharp attacking play and disciplined organisation from Erik ten Hag’s side.

First Half: Early Pressure Puts United Ahead

The Red Devils took early control and were two goals up by half-time. Rasmus Højlund opened the scoring in the 8th minute, meeting Uttara’s free-kick with a powerful header after timing his run perfectly behind the defence.

Their lead doubled in the 27th minute, when Mason Mount delivered...

On July 31, most of Uzbekistan will experience dry weather. However, in certain areas within the Fergana Valley, brief light rain and isolated thunderstorms may occur during the second half of the day.

Wind speeds across the country are expected to range from 7 to 12 m/s, with occasional gusts reaching 13 to 16 m/s. Dust may accompany the wind in some regions. Daytime temperatures will range between 32°C and 37°C.

In the capital, Tashkent, the weather is forecast to remain dry throughout the day. Winds will blow at 3 to 8 m/s, occasionally intensifying up to 10 to...

Several banks have updated the rates for exchanging foreign currencies for UZS on July 31. This article contains information about the most favorable rates.

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

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

Financial institutions may change the value of currencies...

Uzbekistan’s national weather agency, Uzhydromet, has issued a warning for potential mudflows and localized flooding in mountainous and foothill regions from July 30 to August 1 due to expected rainfall.

In the Tashkent region, the risk is particularly high in the Akhangaran, Bostanlyk, Parkent, Pskent, Urtachirchik, and Yukorichirchik districts. Additional risk zones include areas within the Namangan, Fergana, and Andijan regions.

Authorities are urging residents, tourists, and drivers to take precautions and follow instructions from emergency services. Localized flooding may occur in some areas.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that July, 30th daytime temperatures will range from 32 to 37°C.

Passenger traffic at Samarkand International Airport reached 708,000 in the first half of 2025 — a 9.4% increase compared to the same period last year, according to airport operator Air Marakanda.

The majority of passengers, approximately 678,000, traveled internationally, while around 29,600 flew domestically within Uzbekistan.

As of early July, the airport had handled over 5,500 flights — up 4.9% year-on-year. New routes launched this year include flights to Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok, and Dushanbe.

Air Marakanda highlighted its ongoing efforts to enhance the passenger experience, including integration with global loyalty programs such as Priority Pass and Lounge Key.

By the...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has urged regional officials to focus on cultivating agricultural products that can withstand extreme weather conditions, such as heat and frost. His comments came during a government meeting dedicated to boosting the country’s agri-export potential.

«Officials must stop blaming the weather and start adapting to it,» Mirziyoyev emphasized, pointing out that in a time of shifting climates, every export market holds strategic value for Uzbekistan.

He called particular attention to Surxondaryo, Tashkent regions, and Karakalpakstan — areas that currently lag behind others in fruit and vegetable exports. Mirziyoyev stressed...

Authorities in Tashkent have launched a new online service that allows citizens to verify whether a construction company has had its operations suspended due to violations. The initiative was introduced in response to a high volume of public inquiries regarding construction projects, according to the capital’s city administration.

By simply entering the name of a construction company, users can instantly see whether the firm’s activities are currently halted. The list is updated in real time and the verification service is available free of charge.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports on illegal skyscraper in Samarkand.

Juventus have officially unveiled their latest signing, Jonathan David, with the Canadian striker expressing pride and optimism as he begins his new chapter in Turin.

Speaking to Juventus club media during his first week at the club, David described joining the Italian giants as a dream come true.

«It’s a great honour for me to be part of a team like Juventus, and this first week of work has gone very well,» said the 24-year-old forward.

David revealed that conversations with several current Juventus players helped solidify his decision to move to Serie...

Paul Mario Day, the first-ever vocalist of the legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 69, the New York Post has reported.

Day joined Iron Maiden in 1975 at just 19 years old and served as the band’s lead singer for ten months. Although his time with the group was brief, he performed at several early concerts and was involved in the development of their debut album. He also claimed co-authorship of the track Strange World, though Steve Harris is officially credited.

Following his departure from Iron Maiden, Day continued his music career...

The government of Uzbekistan intends to increase pensions and public sector salaries each year at a rate exceeding inflation, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s fiscal strategy through 2028.

This initiative is aimed at ensuring steady income growth and strengthening social protection for the country’s population. The wage increases are also aligned with the national development plan «Uzbekistan-2030.»

The ministry noted that salaries in 2025 were increased ahead of schedule and at a higher rate than initially planned. Next year, over 1.7 trillion UZS will be allocated for additional wage hikes — up from 1.5 trillion UZS...

The volume of Uzbekistan’s unobserved economy reached 265.5 trillion UZS from January to June 2025, making up 32.9% of the country’s GDP, according to the National Statistics Agency.

The agency estimates that 201.3 trillion UZS of gross value added came from household and individual activities. An additional 64.3 trillion UZS was contributed by the shadow economy.

In agriculture, forestry and fisheries, unobserved activity accounted for 75% of gross value added. The share was 36% in construction and 35% in the services sector. In industry, the shadow economy’s contribution was estimated at 10.5%.

The unobserved economy includes all economic activity...

Liverpool recorded a 3-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos in a pre-season friendly at Nissan Stadium in Japan. The Premier League side came from behind to take control in the second half following a goalless first period.

Uenaka Opens the Scoring for Yokohama

After a first half without goals, Yokohama took the lead in the 57th minute. A sequence on the left wing ended with Asahi Uenaka receiving a pass from Kato before sending a low shot into the far corner from inside the area.

Asahi Uenaka | Yokohama F. Marinos 1-0 Liverpool

Liverpool concedes...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has criticised the underperformance of Uzbekistan’s trade advisors in several key diplomatic missions, citing their limited contribution to boosting fruit and vegetable exports to countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden and Japan.

At a recent government meeting on the state of agro-export development, the president noted that efforts by diplomatic representatives in these countries have failed to meet expectations. As a result, Uzbekistan’s agricultural exports to not only these markets but also to India and Qatar have lagged behind projections.

Uzbekistan’s agricultural exports currently rely heavily on neighbouring and regional markets, with Russia, Pakistan...

A new national survey conducted by the Ijtimoiy Fikr Centre reveals that public awareness in Uzbekistan of human trafficking remains high, with most citizens recognising the severity of the issue and expressing confidence in the country’s preventive efforts.

The poll, based on multi-year monitoring, indicates that 61.3% of respondents in 2025 said they were well aware of human trafficking, compared to 62.8% in 2022. Another 29.5% reported partial awareness, suggesting growing interest but also the risk of misinformation if not paired with accurate education.

Media Plays Central Role in Awareness

Television remains the leading source of information for...