News

Uzbekistan has «significant potential» to grow digital payments, with cashless transactions now about 43% of total payments (38% in 2023; 41% in 2024), Mastercard General Manager Denis Filippov told Trend in an exclusive interview.

Filippov said a young population (average age 29), high mobile and internet penetration, and a fast-developing fintech sector position the country for a mature digital economy. Mastercard is backing the shift with new card services and financial-literacy programs, over 1,400 entrepreneurs trained via its e-commerce school, and free online courses on card use and cybersecurity.

He flagged challenges of cybersecurity, financial literacy and infrastructure, noting...

Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin met separately with Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova, Iranian Vice President Zahra Behrouz Azar, and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Zulaykho Makhkamova on the sidelines of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women.

Shen, who also heads the All-China Women’s Federation, said China aims to deepen cooperation with Bulgaria in culture, education and women’s development; strengthen coordination with Iran under the guidance of both countries’ leaders; and work with Uzbekistan to implement presidential-level consensus and advance women’s initiatives.

Iotova highlighted the meeting’s significance and vowed to promote practical cooperation on women’s rights. Behrouz Azar praised China-Iran...

Gold prices surged past $4,200 an ounce for the first time on Wednesday, extending a powerful rally driven by expectations of US interest rate cuts and mounting geopolitical tension that has boosted demand for the safe-haven asset.

Spot gold climbed 1.6% to $4,209.49 per ounce as of 08:29 GMT, after hitting a record $4,217.95 earlier in the session. December futures in the United States rose 1.5% to $4,227.60. The metal has gained nearly 60% so far this year, propelled by economic instability, central bank buying, a weakening dollar, and strong inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds.

Just yesterday, on October...

Worldwide sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose by 26% in September compared with the previous year, reaching a record 2.1 mln units, Reuters reports. The growth was fuelled by strong demand in China and a last-minute rush in the United States to take advantage of tax credits before their expiry.

China remained the dominant market, accounting for roughly two-thirds of global EV sales with about 1.3 mln units sold. North America also saw record figures, with sales climbing 66% to around 215,000 vehicles.

In Europe, sales grew by 36% to 427,541 units, while in other regions...

The Final Draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on Friday, 5 December 2025 at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., FIFA confirmed, with the venue also announced by the Kennedy Center.

The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, runs 11 June to 19 July 2026, featuring an expanded 48-team format: 12 groups of four, with the top two and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a Round of 32. The opening match is slated for Estadio Azteca, Mexico City...

The Giorgio Armani Foundation, a central pillar of the late designer’s succession and long-term business plan, will now be chaired by Armani’s long-time partner and trusted confidant Pantaleo Dell’Orco, according to Reuters.

Dell’Orco, who inherited the largest share of the company and the main voting rights following Armani’s death last month, will lead the board alongside one of Armani’s nephews and three independent members. The foundation, created in 2016 to safeguard Armani’s legacy, now plays a decisive role in shaping the brand’s future ownership and management.

Armani’s Will

Giorgio Armani, known as «King Giorgio,» passed away on...

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500 mln policy-based loan to support Uzbekistan’s ongoing economic transformation, focusing on improving public sector efficiency, strengthening governance, and deepening the country’s integration into the global economy.

The initiative, known as the Economic Management Improvement Program (Phase 2), builds on previous reform efforts and introduces a new wave of institutional measures designed to enhance fiscal transparency, modernise the management of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and create a more competitive and resilient business environment. The programme aligns with international standards and underscores Uzbekistan’s determination to advance its market-oriented reforms.

«This...

Uzbekistan is increasingly viewed as a new source of capital market activity in Central Asia, Bloomberg reports, citing Alan Siow, co-head of emerging market corporate debt at Ninety One.

According to the publication, a forthcoming wave of initial public offerings (IPOs), largely driven by the privatisation of state-owned companies, is expected to attract a broad range of international investors. Giovanni Salvetti, head of the CIS region at Rothschild & Co, said investors from Gulf countries and China have already expressed strong interest in the process.

In addition, major global financial institutions, including Barclays and Citibank, are reportedly organising investment...

The Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education has prohibited 679 scientific and educational books from use in Afghanistan’s public and private universities, following a review by religious scholars and academics.

According to a letter seen by Afghanistan International, Ziaur Rahman Al-Aryubi, the Deputy Minister of Science, stated on September 24 that a committee of Islamic scholars and professors had examined the books for «belief, intellectual, religious, political, cultural, and scientific content.»

Following this assessment, the ministry circulated a list of the banned titles to universities nationwide, instructing them to replace the materials with alternatives that align with Islamic values and...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has called for wider promotion of prenuptial agreements to prevent families, particularly children, from falling into financial hardship following divorce. He made the remarks during a meeting held on October 14.

The discussion addressed several pressing social issues affecting local communities and youth upbringing. Since the start of the year, around 32,000 families in Uzbekistan have divorced, while 16,000 parents have failed to pay child support. There have also been cases where fathers have abandoned their families with outstanding credit debts.

Mirziyoyev stressed that local authorities, including hokims (city and regional mayors), community councils, elders...

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has accused France of driving an «authoritarian» EU plan to force messaging apps to scan private chats, warning it would turn every phone into a «spying tool.»

In a post shared on Telegram, Durov said users in France were notified about the proposed «Chat Control» law, which he claims would «nearly ban» Europeans’ right to privacy. He blamed French politicians, including Bruno Retailleau and Laurent Nuñez, along with President Macron’s Renaissance party, for backing the measure.

«Such laws claim to fight crime but target ordinary people,» Durov wrote. «Criminals could...

Global pop sensation Shakira has captured attention once again, this time through a striking fashion editorial titled La Fuerte for the 57th issue of TUSH Magazine, themed «SHOW.» The photoshoot, captured by acclaimed French photographer Nicolas Gerardin, highlights strength, sophistication, and the timeless appeal of one of music’s most enduring icons.

Gerardin shared the images on Instagram, writing: «My photos of the Iconic @shakira 💣♥️💪✨ Photographed by me in a Fashion Editorial Story ‘La Fuerte’!!» The editorial presents Shakira in dynamic, expressive poses that merge high fashion with emotional depth, reflecting her spirit of resilience and continual reinvention.

Montenegro has suspended its temporary visa-free regime for citizens of Uzbekistan, as well as Armenia and Egypt, Trend reported, citing the Montenegrin government’s information portal.

The move, part of the 2024–2027 Reform Agenda and alignment with EU Chapter 24 (visa policy), is aimed at harmonizing Montenegro’s rules with the EU as it pursues full membership. Uzbek nationals must now obtain a visa before traveling to Montenegro.

From news to politics, travel to sports, culture to climate — Kursiv Uzbekistan highlights the pulse of life across Central Asia and beyond. Discover the stories you want to read, and more, by clicking here.

The 10th Yuri Grigorovich International Competition «Young Ballet of the World» has wrapped at the Winter Theatre, with young performers from Uzbekistan among the newly named laureates after a week of showcase rounds.

Fifty-nine dancers from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan received laureate titles. Russian participants captured most top prizes: Ilya Milovanov and Andrey Grachev won junior gold, while Denis Mazanov and Ksenia Belousova topped the senior soloist category. A special award for the best choreography to P. I. Tchaikovsky’s music went to Russia’s Viktoria Sokolova.

Dedicated to the memory of choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, this year’s edition drew more...

Kazakhstan aims to sign long-term agreements with Azerbaijan for oil product supplies, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev said at the 21st Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission meeting in Baku, per Azernews. He called the countries’ energy ties «strategic,» praising SOCAR–KazMunayGas cooperation on the Trans-Caspian route and backing expansion of renewables transmission.

Sauranbayev said Kazakhstan is ready to work with Azerbaijan on peaceful nuclear energy, energy regulation, and joint AI R&D centers. Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov added that oil transit via the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline is set to grow: 3.4 million tons of Kazakh oil have moved through BTC since 2023, with both...

Uzbek customs officials say they have dismantled a large regional narcotics ring that operated via Telegram, exposing one of Central Asia’s biggest online drug markets.

According to the customs service, the ring was centered on a darknet marketplace called «Deadpool,» active since 2017 with roughly 4,000 subscribers. In a 31 August sting in Andijan’s Khodjaobod district, officers arrested a suspect carrying 602g of alpha-PVP allegedly smuggled from Kyrgyzstan. Investigators say the detainee had worked with Deadpool since 2023 and helped distribute nearly 50kg of synthetics over two years.

A second operation on 10 September in Tashkent region’s Zangiota district...

Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has arrived in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent. The athlete was spotted at a local gym, according to businessman Dmitry Seredin, who shared a video of the encounter on Instagram.

Later, Nurmagomedov posted on his own Instagram Stories, noting that he was visiting a Dagestani restaurant in Tashkent. The purpose of his visit, local media report, is the opening of a new restaurant serving Caucasian cuisine.

During his stay, the former fighter also stopped by a burger restaurant located in the city centre.

A flurry of developments has followed the ceasefire deal for Gaza, with limited hostage returns, mass prisoner releases and duelling narratives about next steps, even as President Donald Trump touts «peace in the Middle East» after a leaders’ summit in Egypt.

Key points

On October 14, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, president’s press service reports.

The two leaders discussed the further development and strengthening of the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance between Uzbekistan and Russia, with a focus on implementing high-level agreements in practice.

Particular attention was given to maintaining the steady growth of key trade, economic and investment indicators, as well as supporting joint cooperation projects at the regional level.

The presidents also welcomed the continued expansion of humanitarian ties, especially in the fields of culture, arts and education, including...

The construction of the Kambarata Hydropower Plant-1 (HPP-1) is estimated at $4.2 bn, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, announced.

According to the minister, some of the world’s largest banks and investment funds have expressed strong interest in the project, with the total financing portfolio now reaching $5.6 bn.

Mirzamakhmudov noted that a recent meeting took place in Brussels between the energy ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, supported by the World Bank. During the meeting, the project was recognised as a model of regional cooperation and an important step towards developing renewable energy in Central Asia.

He also...

The Russian Export Centre (REC) has identified the most promising sectors for Russian exporters seeking to expand their presence in Uzbekistan, RBC reports.

According to the centre, the most profitable opportunities lie in steel products, black metal pipes, polymers, confectionery, wood-based panels, aluminium and its alloys, as well as pharmaceuticals. Russia already exports a wide range of goods to Uzbekistan, including ferrous metals and metal products, timber and wood processing materials, electrical and mechanical equipment, and plastics.

Beyond trade, Russia remains one of Uzbekistan’s largest investors. Data from Uzbekistan’s Statistics Agency shows that in the first quarter of...

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has announced plans to invest $15bn (£11.29bn) in building a large-scale artificial intelligence data hub in India’s southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Alphabet’s Largest AI Project Outside the US

The new facility will be located in the port city of Visakhapatnam and will form part of Google’s global network of AI centres across 12 countries.

«It’s the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world, outside of the United States,» said Thomas Kurien, CEO of Google Cloud, at an event in Delhi on Tuesday.

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina announced on Tuesday that he had dissolved the national assembly, deepening a political crisis marked by youth-led protests and growing unrest within the military.

A decree published on Facebook stated that the president had consulted with the leaders of both the assembly and the Senate before issuing the decision, though it remains unclear whether the move holds legal authority. The announcement came after Rajoelina was reportedly forced to leave the country following clashes between protesters and security forces.

Address from Hiding

In a live address on Facebook from an undisclosed location, the 51-year-old leader...

An Uzbek boy who was unable to attend the Kairat–Real Madrid match in Almaty after buying fake tickets has been gifted a football signed by Real Madrid and Chelsea icon Claude Makélélé, courtesy of local businessmen, Kursiv Kazakhstan reports.

The story of young Armin and his father, who travelled from Uzbekistan to see the historic match, moved many across Central Asia. The pair had purchased tickets for $1,175 on Viagogo.com, only to discover at the stadium that they were counterfeit. A video showing Armin in tears quickly went viral, drawing widespread sympathy.