News

Barcelona missed the chance to secure a win as they drew 1–1 with Real Betis at the Montjuïc Stadium in Matchday 30 of the 2024/25 La Liga season.

Match Summary – Barcelona vs Real Betis

Gavi put Barça ahead in the 7th minute, converting a low cross from Ferran Torres. Just ten minutes later, Betis equalised as Nathan headed in a delivery from Giovani Lo Celso.

The Catalan side dominated possession with 75%, registering 16 shots on goal — yet failed to find a winner.

Betis goalkeeper Adrián San Miguel denied Barcelona several times, producing crucial saves against Robert...

The World Bank (WB) will allocate $153 miln for a project to restore forests and degraded lands in Uzbekistan, as reported by the Uzbek Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change.

The project was officially launched during a climate forum in Samarkand.

It will include planting forests, creating orchards and forest pastures, supporting agricultural enterprises and helping nature reserves. In addition, part of the funding will be used to build infrastructure for eco-tourism and create a database on forest landscapes.

The project will cover four regions. It will help the republic meet its goal of increasing forest area...

At the Samarkand Climate Forum on 4 April, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with UN Under-Secretary-General, Head of the UN-Habitat Programme (UN-Habitat) Anaclaudia Rossbach. The sides discussed the opening of the UN-Habitat office in Tashkent.

The participants also reviewed cooperation in sustainable urban development, modernisation of infrastructure and improvement of quality of life. Rossbach praised Uzbekistan’s reforms to develop ‘smart’ and ‘green’ cities.

Plans to hold World Cleanliness Day in Uzbekistan were discussed. Following the meeting, the sides agreed to develop a roadmap for co-operation.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Mirziyoyev and the UN deputy head discussed...

On the evening of 5 April Alexander Ovechkin scored two pucks in a match with the Chicago Blackhawks and repeated the record of Canadian Wayne Gretzky on the number of goals in regular games in the National Hockey League (NHL), reported the press service of the league.

Ovechkin opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the match. By the beginning of the third period, the Washington Capitals were losing to the visitors. Dylan Strome levelled the score, after which Ovechkin threw the long-awaited puck into the opponents’ goal and put the team ahead.

The game ended 5-3 in...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has announced that strengthening control over money transfers will not create any difficulties for bank customers or users of payment systems.

The regulator emphasised that the new rules will primarily impact the exchange of information between payment organizations and banks, while ordinary users will not experience any changes. Payment organisations already possess all the necessary information, which clients provide when they sign contracts to open accounts or access other financial services.

The new regulations will take effect in three months. Payment organizations will be required to exchange personal data concerning the senders and recipients...

Israel, India and Vietnam are in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate lower duties, according to a report by CNN.

Sources indicate that these countries aim to finalize individual trade agreements with the U.S. by the end of next week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump on Monday, April 7. The two leaders will discuss trade, Iran’s nuclear program, and the Gaza peace settlement. Although Israel previously removed duties on imports of U.S. goods, this decision did not prevent the imposition of trade restrictions.

On April 2, Donald Trump announced

In the headline fixture of the 26th round of the Saudi Pro League, Al-Nassr secured a crucial away win over Al-Hilal. The game ended 3–1 in favor of the visitors.

Match Summary: Al-Hilal vs. Al-Nassr

The scoring opened in first-half stoppage time when Ali Al-Hassan curled a precise shot into the top corner following a short corner routine.

Just two minutes into the second half, Cristiano Ronaldo doubled Al-Nassr’s lead. He finished off a low cross from Sadio Mané, marking the 930th goal of his professional career.

Al-Hilal responded in the 62nd minute. After a corner from Salem Al-Dawsari

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will finance the development of a feasibility study for the construction of a green energy corridor across the Caspian Sea, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan reported.

The international financial institutions signed a memorandum of understanding with the energy agencies of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan at a meeting in Baku. The ADB and the AIIB will allocate $2 mln.

Financing from international banks will help speed up the project’s implementation, calculate the size of investments and economic benefits.

The Caspian Corridor will link the energy systems of Uzbekistan...

On April 3, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the heads of neighbouring Central Asian countries held discussions in Samarkand during the first Central Asia-European Union summit.

In a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, the leaders reviewed the outcomes of their trilateral discussion that took place in Khujand on March 31. They stressed the importance of fully resolving border issues.

They evaluated the progress made in implementing their previously agreed-upon agreements, including the increase in trade turnover and the acceleration of various cooperation projects.

During the meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, they discussed the acceleration of projects...

Uzbekistan and the European Union may sign an extended partnership agreement in June of this year, according to a report from the Euronews TV channel.

Euronews noted that the agreement’s text is already prepared, and it now requires legal review.

Earlier, António Costa, the head of the European Council, informed Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev that Brussels aims to sign the document by the end of the year.

It is important to note that the Central Asia-EU summit is currently taking place in Samarkand. This forum is expected to mark a new chapter in the development of relations between the...

The trade tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump offer Uzbekistan the opportunity to develop industries where the country has a competitive edge. This view was shared by Uzbekistan’s Special Representative for the World Trade Organization (WTO), Azizbek Urunov, in a post on LinkedIn.

Urunov highlighted the textile industry as an example.

“This presents a good opportunity for new investments and the expansion of exports,” he noted.

He also mentioned that the share of the US in Uzbekistan’s exports stands at 1%. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has entered the category of countries with...

At the end of the summit in Samarkand, the countries of Central Asia and the European Union will decide to establish a strategic partnership, announced Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The head of state proposed signing an agreement on partnership and cooperation between the regions. Central Asia also expressed interest in holding regular meetings at the Foreign Ministry level and organising an interparliamentary forum. Mirziyoyev suggested hosting the regional forum every two years.

The president also touched on economic cooperation. A presentation of Uzbekistan’s industrial park is planned for European investors. In addition, Tashkent is counting on signing an agreement...

Uzbekistan plans to build over 2,900 micro-hydropower plants in 2025-2026, the Ministry of Energy reports.

The total capacity of the plants will reach 164 MW, allowing them to generate 500 mln kWh of electricity annually.

The construction of these plants will also create jobs for 1,200 people during the building phase, and 520 permanent positions once the power stations are operational.

The European Union will invest €12 bn in Central Asian countries, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced.

The funds will be allocated to Central Asia through the Global Gateway programme. According to von der Leyen, the investment will spark a new wave of projects in the region.

“Today, we are launching a strategic partnership. This partnership demonstrates that you can rely on the EU,” she said at the Central Asia-EU Summit in Samarkand.

Of the announced amount, €3 bn will go towards transport projects, €2.5 bn for critical minerals, €6.4 bn...

Uzbekistan welcomes the commencement of peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the Central Asia-EU Summit in Samarkand.

“We understand that we face very difficult and complex issues, but we see no alternative to the diplomatic efforts and political solutions currently being pursued,” he emphasised.

Peace negotiations on Ukraine began with the administration of President Donald Trump. The United States has been engaging in talks with both Kyiv and Moscow.

Representatives from the three countries held several meetings on this matter in Saudi Arabia in...

Uzbekistan has achieved its best ranking in nine years, now sitting at 57th in the updated FIFA (International Football Federation) rankings. This makes the national team the top team in Central Asia.

In comparison, Kyrgyzstan ranks 103rd and Tajikistan 104th. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are placed at 113th and 142nd, respectively. Japan is the highest-ranked team in Asia at 15th, followed closely by Iran at 18th.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbekistan’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup have increased to 96%.

US Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick has called on illegal migrants from Uzbekistan to return home voluntarily and avoid waiting for deportation. The statement was published by the US Embassy in Uzbekistan.

Henick stated that thousands of illegal migrants from Uzbekistan could currently be in the United States. He reminded them that they could face arrest, detention in immigration jails, and eventual deportation.

In February 2025, it was revealed that deported migrants from the US would temporarily be sent to Panama and Costa Rica.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested over €5 bn in Uzbekistan’s economy. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed the figure during his meeting with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso.

The bank has primarily directed its investments towards Uzbekistan’s private sector. During the meeting, both sides highlighted the role of EBRD experts in supporting banking sector reforms and business development.

Plans are in place to expand cooperation in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as female and youth entrepreneurship.

Key priorities include the green economy, decarbonisation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, mortgage market development, and transport connectivity.

In early April, US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imported goods from over a hundred countries, including Uzbekistan, which now faces a 10% duty. Kursiv Uzbekistan explores the potential consequences for the Uzbek economy.

«We must recognise that while the US is among Uzbekistan’s top ten trading partners, its share remains small compared to Russia and China,» said Stanislav Pritchin, head of the Central Asia sector at IMEMO RAS.

According to Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, trade between Uzbekistan and the US totalled $881.7 mln in 2024, while trade with China and...

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlines the agenda for the EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, focusing on trade, investment, green energy, and critical raw materials.

The EU plans to announce a major investment package for Central Asian countries, prioritising transport, strategic natural resources, energy transmission, and digitalisation.

Von der Leyen highlights that, beyond rich raw material reserves, Central Asian nations have strong potential for developing sustainable industries.

“Europe seeks to establish a full value chain rather than simply purchasing raw materials. This is crucial for creating local jobs and ensuring high environmental...

US President Donald Trump announces new tariffs on most countries, raising fears of a trade war, according to Reuters.

“We are in the very early stages of what could, unfortunately, escalate into a serious global trade war,” said Donald Calcagni, Chief Investment Officer at Mercer Advisors.

Investors worry that Trump’s actions will hurt corporate earnings and fuel inflation. Experts interviewed by Reuters noted that discussions around the tariffs have already slowed economic growth.

Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, called the tariffs «the worst-case scenario», warning that Trump’s move could push...

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Samarkand on Wednesday, April 2, to attend the Central Asia–EU summit, according to the press service of Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov welcomed her at the airport.

Earlier, European Council President António Costa also arrived in the city. The summit will bring together the leaders of Central Asian countries.

Ahead of the event, von der Leyen stated that the Samarkand forum would serve as Europe’s response to the US-imposed tariffs. She noted that the summit is part of the EU’s broader strategy to diversify trade.

Over the past...

The death toll from the earthquake in Myanmar has reached 2,800 as of April 2, according to Xinhua news agency.

Authorities report that 373 people remain missing, while more than 4,600 have sustained injuries.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, with tremors also felt in China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent condolences to Myanmar and Thailand following the disaster.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $30 mln loan to Uzbekistan’s Mortgage Refinancing Company (MRC), according to a statement from the financial institution’s press service.

The loan aims to support inclusive and green mortgages in Uzbekistan, with a particular focus on supporting women.

“The project will increase the accessibility of mortgage loans, concentrating on the needs of women and green renovation mortgages in Uzbekistan,” the loan description states.

It is worth noting that since the beginning of March this year, Uzbekistan has resumed accepting applications for mortgage subsidies. Residents...