News

Uzbekistan has shipped its first commercial consignment of fresh apricots and peaches to Malaysia, marking a new step in the country’s efforts to expand fruit exports into Southeast Asia. The shipment follows months of negotiations between Uzbek exporters and Malaysian importers aimed at opening the market for seasonal produce.

The breakthrough comes after a fruit promotion event held in Kuala Lumpur, where Uzbek officials and exporters showcased locally grown cherries, apricots and peaches to major Malaysian retailers and import companies. Several Malaysian firms expressed interest in sourcing Uzbek fruit, citing its quality and competitive pricing.

To support exports...

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has signed separate memorandums of understanding with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Central Bank to strengthen cooperation in financial reporting, auditing and professional education.

The agreements aim to expand the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), improve professional qualifications and provide greater access to internationally recognized accounting certifications for specialists in Uzbekistan.

Under the partnership with the Finance Ministry, ACCA will support the training of finance and audit professionals, accreditation of university programs and integration of ACCA qualifications into the national education system. The renewed agreement also...

A senior UK Treasury minister has said Britain’s eventual return to the European Union is “an inevitability,” marking one of the strongest pro-EU statements made by a serving member of the Labour government since Brexit.

Lord Spencer Livermore, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, made the remarks during a debate in the House of Lords. He stressed that the view was his personal opinion, arguing that rejoining the bloc would ultimately be in Britain’s economic interest.

The comments go beyond Labour’s official position. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly ruled out rejoining the EU, the single market...

A simulation testing how artificial intelligence models would govern a virtual society ended in disaster when Elon Musk‘s Grok oversaw the collapse of its world in just four days, according to researchers at Emergence AI.

The experiment placed several leading AI models in charge of separate simulated towns for 15 days, giving them tools to manage resources, create laws, communicate with citizens and maintain public order. Researchers found striking differences in outcomes depending on which model was in control.

According to the study, Grok’s society descended into chaos, recording more than 180 crimes before all inhabitants died out...

The United Kingdom has won a legal dispute with Rwanda over compensation linked to the scrapped asylum relocation scheme, with an international tribunal ruling that London does not owe Kigali more than £100 mln in additional payments.

The ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected all financial claims brought by Rwanda, which argued that Britain was still required to make payments promised under the migration partnership agreement despite the scheme’s cancellation.

The asylum plan, introduced by the previous Conservative government, aimed to send migrants arriving illegally in the UK to Rwanda for processing. Prime...

Iran has restored access to dozens of underground missile facilities damaged during U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier this year, according to satellite imagery and intelligence assessments cited by CNN and Reuters.

The report said Iranian crews have reopened at least 50 access points at 18 underground missile complexes since a ceasefire took effect in April. Heavy machinery was reportedly used to clear debris and unblock tunnel entrances that had been targeted during the conflict.

U.S. intelligence officials believe Iran’s military reconstruction efforts are progressing faster than previously anticipated. Assessments indicate that Tehran has already resumed parts of its...

Iraqi national Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi has pleaded not guilty to U.S. terrorism-related charges accusing him of helping plan at least 18 attacks across Europe and supporting the Iran-backed militia Kata’ib Hezbollah.

Appearing in federal court in Manhattan on Monday, Al-Saadi described himself as a «prisoner of war» and denied the allegations. During the hearing, he told the court he was not a criminal and referred to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East before being ordered to sit down by Judge Colleen McMahon. U.S. marshals approached him as the exchange unfolded.

U.S. prosecutors allege that Al-Saadi, whom...

Roodell has emerged victorious in an auction to purchase a 50% state-owned stake in the joint venture UzSungwoo. During the competitive bidding process, the value of the asset surged significantly from an initial starting price of 390.5 bn soums ($32.7 mln) to a final winning bid of 585.8 bn soums ($49 mln).

The sale took place on June 1 via the E-auksion platform and concluded in approximately 34 minutes. The transaction was structured to allow payments on an instalment basis and the final auction results are currently awaiting payment clearance.

Strategic importance and strict conditions

UzSungwoo is a...

A potent combination of human-induced climate change and a developing El Nino weather pattern is poised to trigger severe environmental chaos across the globe.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has published a dire forecast warning that the collision of these two forces will likely result in devastating meteorological extremes.

High probability of disruption

According to the latest WMO data, there is an 80% likelihood that El Nino will firmly establish itself between June and August. Forecasters also calculate a 90% chance that the climatic anomaly will endure until at least November.

El Nino is a natural phenomenon that...

The coaching staff of the Uzbekistan national football team has finalised the 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. The roster features a combination of players competing in the domestic league and in foreign championships.

Pakhtakor have the largest representation with four players selected for the tournament. They are followed by Neftchi with three representatives and Nasaf with two.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Fresh off a phenomenal $118 mln opening weekend, A24’s viral horror sensation Backrooms is officially laying the groundwork for a follow-up. Kane Parsons, the visionary creator and face of the franchise, has been remarkably candid during his recent press tour about his cinematic aspirations.

Acknowledging that he has taken the property to its absolute limits on YouTube, he is now eager to transform the eerie digital lore into a full-scale feature anthology.

Early stages of development

Despite the overwhelming financial triumph of the first film, the next instalment is still in its infancy. Industry sources report that Parsons is...

Golden State Warriors icon Stephen Curry joined forces with Li-Ning in a major endorsement agreement, BBC reports. The 38-year-old basketball star has been searching for a new retail collaborator since concluding his 12-year relationship with American activewear brand Under Armour last year.

The financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed but the partnership will see Curry and Li-Ning co-develop new merchandise. Furthermore, the duo plans to roll out a signature chain of shops across both the United States and China.

A strategic coup for Li-Ning

Securing a global superstar of Curry’s magnitude represents a massive leap forward for...

Hot on the heels of the Sunday night finale of HBO’s hit series Euphoria, Sydney Sweeney is actively expanding her footprint behind the camera. The actress has officially launched her own production company, Honey Trap, bringing on her long-time creative collaborator Kaylee McGregor to serve as president of production and development, Deadline reports.

The newly formed banner is already making waves having secured a lucrative first-look agreement with Sony Pictures.

A winning formula at Sony

This new partnership is a natural progression following Sweeney’s massive success at the studio with the sleeper hit Anyone But You. Serving as...

Despite suffering a defeat against Canada in their recent international friendly, Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance during the opening 45 minutes.

The Italian manager emphasised the importance of learning from the encounter as the squad prepares for crucial competitive fixtures.

“In any match there are mistakes. It is better to make them in friendly fixtures than in official games in ten days’ time,” Cannavaro stated.

Analysing the match dynamics, the head coach highlighted a stark contrast between the two periods of play. During the first half, Cannavaro noted...

Jensen Huang, the chief executive of the American chip behemoth Nvidia, is scheduled to feature on the renowned tvN talk programme “You Quiz on the Block”. The broadcaster confirmed the news on Tuesday ahead of the tech billionaire’s impending visit to Seoul, Yonhap reports.

This broadcast will mark Huang’s very first guest appearance on a South Korean variety programme. Industry insiders suggest that his trip to the country this week involves high-level meetings with leaders of major corporate conglomerates.

During his visit, he is expected to hold key discussions focusing on the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Foreign production companies choosing to shoot films in Uzbekistan are set to be exempt from taxes under a wave of progressive industry reforms.

Speaking at a recent gathering with arts and culture representatives, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s cinematic management and financing systems will officially come into effect from September 1.

Restructuring film management

The upcoming changes will introduce a significant shift in how the domestic film industry is governed. Several established administrative bodies will be entirely abolished, namely the Republican Cinematographic Commission alongside the National and Artistic Councils.

To replace...

Uzbekistan’s national football team fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Canada in a recent international friendly staged in Edmonton. The fixture ultimately proved costly for the visitors, not merely due to the final scoreline but because of a potentially devastating injury to a key player.

Ganiev suffers major setback

The most concerning moment of the fixture arrived during the first half when midfielder Azizjon Ganiev picked up a worrying knock. Unable to carry on, he was withdrawn in the 23rd minute and replaced by Abbosbek Fayzullaev.

Initial reports from the medical staff suggest the damage could be severe...

A company selling Trump-branded watches has apologised and offered an $800 coupon to a customer after a $640 limited-edition timepiece arrived with a typo on its face.

The watch, purchased by Rhode Island resident Tim Petit as a gift for his wife, Melanie, was supposed to display the name «Trump» but was delivered with the letter «T» missing, leaving the word «RUMP» visible on the dial.

The couple said they were disappointed by the mistake and initially struggled to receive a response from customer service. After local media reported the issue, the company offered a replacement watch, issued...

Uzbekistan is expanding efforts to improve childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment through a partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), aiming to increase survival rates and reduce inequalities in access to care.

According to WHO Europe, the country has become a regional leader in implementing the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer and is participating in the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. The programme helps ensure a stable supply of quality-assured cancer medicines and supports improvements in diagnosis, treatment and specialist training.

A WHO technical mission to Uzbekistan this year focused on strengthening diagnostic pathways...

Uzbekistan recorded a sharp decline in the production of key energy resources during the first four months of 2026, highlighting ongoing challenges in the country’s hydrocarbon sector. According to the National Statistics Committee, natural gas production fell 16% year-on-year to 12.6 bn cubic metres between January and April, while oil output dropped 2.5% to 209,000 tonnes. Gas condensate production also declined by 19.2% to 319,300 tonnes.

Coal production experienced one of the steepest falls, decreasing 27.8% to 1.3 mln tonnes compared with the same period in 2025. Experts attribute the downturn to the depletion of mature oil and...

As Armenia deepens its push toward closer ties with the European Union, analysts are increasingly asking whether Uzbekistan could strengthen its engagement with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

The debate comes amid growing tensions between Armenia and the EAEU, with member states warning Yerevan that its EU ambitions could jeopardize its position within the economic bloc. Armenia has increasingly distanced itself from Moscow in recent years, while maintaining formal membership in the EAEU.

Uzbekistan, which has held observer status in the EAEU since 2020, has gradually expanded economic cooperation with member states but has so far stopped...

The eastern Uzbek city of Namangan has entered the Guinness World Records after collectively planting more than 29.4 mln flowers in a single month as part of its 65th International Flower Festival.

According to Guinness World Records, the achievement far exceeded the minimum requirement of one million flowers, earning Namangan the title for the largest number of flowers collectively planted in one month. The campaign was coordinated by the regional administration and involved large-scale community participation across the city.

The record-setting effort forms part of the annual Namangan International Flower Festival, one of Central Asia’s largest floral events...

FIFA has introduced a series of new rules ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with England and manager Thomas Tuchel specifically highlighted over set-piece tactics that officials say will face greater scrutiny during the tournament.

The changes, approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), expand the powers of VAR to intervene when attacking players commit fouls before corners or free-kicks are taken. FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina cited a previous England goal involving midfielder Adam Wharton blocking a defender before a corner as an example of behaviour that could now be penalised.

Under the updated rules, referees...

Iran has suspended indirect negotiations with the United States after renewed Israeli military operations in Lebanon, raising fears of a wider regional conflict and threatening fragile ceasefire efforts.

According to Iranian state-linked media, Tehran halted message exchanges with Washington through mediators in response to what it described as continued Israeli violations of ceasefire arrangements in Lebanon. Iranian officials insist that any agreement with the US must include a halt to military operations in both Lebanon and Gaza.

The move comes as Israel expands strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and around Beirut. Thousands of residents have reportedly...