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Five-time U.S. chess champion Hikaru Nakamura is considering ending his career after losing to Uzbek grandmaster Zhavohir Sindarov. He announced this on his personal YouTube channel.

Nakamura lost to the 19-year-old Uzbek in the quarter-finals of the Freestyle Chess Fischer tournament. The American grandmaster praised his opponent’s talent and described the defeat as shocking. He expressed uncertainty about whether he wants to continue playing chess.

It is likely that Nakamura will still participate in the Norway Chess tournament and the World Cup. However, failing in these competitions could mark the end of his chess career.

Zhavohir Sindarov...

According to Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of Tatarstan, Kazan has been designated the cultural capital of the Islamic world for the year 2026. Currently, this honour belongs to Samarkand.

The decision to award Kazan this status was made during a meeting of the culture ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries in Jeddah.

This conference, organized by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, aims to promote a positive image of Islam and Islamic culture.

Uzbekistan was granted observer status in the OIC in 1995 and became a full member the following year.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also...

As of February 13, the dollar exchange rate at currency exchanges in Uzbekistan reached 13,003.95 soums. During the day, the rate increased by 14.88 soums, according to data from the trading floor.

On the same day, the Central Bank of the Republic set the U.S. dollar exchange rate at a similar level.

Banks are buying currency at rates between 12,920 and 12,970 soums and selling it for between 12,990 and 13,050 soums.

Kursiv Uzbekistan has also reported predictions regarding potential growth in the dollar rate by 2025.

Uzbekistan’s national football team secured a 1-0 victory over Yemen in their opening match of the Asian U20 Championship, as reported by the Asian Football Confederation.

The only goal of the match was scored by Muhammadali Urinboyev.

Uzbekistan’s next match will be against the Indonesian team.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Bakhodir Kurbanov may be appointed as the head of the Football Association of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is set to launch a nationwide initiative called Healthy People —Healthy Nation, as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced during a meeting focused on sports development.

This movement aims to promote physical fitness and proper nutrition throughout the country. The President has instructed officials to disseminate information about healthy lifestyles to every household. Social videos highlighting the benefits of sports and a balanced diet will be broadcasted on central television channels.

President Mirziyoyev pointed out that 44% of Uzbeks lead sedentary lifestyles, and 36% do not adhere to dietary guidelines. The republic’s consumption of cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables has...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated during a recent meeting focused on sports development that Uzbekistan aims to rank among the top ten national teams at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The president emphasised that the country’s primary successes are in martial arts. At the Paris Olympics, Uzbekistan secured medals in only five sports: boxing, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting and freestyle wrestling.

Mirziyoyev mentioned that the Vatanparvar organisation had established the necessary conditions for the development of shooting sports; however, none of the Uzbek athletes qualified for the Olympics.

Greco-Roman wrestlers also had modest results, earning only three Olympic...

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Chinese authorities, through intermediaries, sent a proposal to President Donald Trump’s administration to organise a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This initiative was received with scepticism by both the U.S. and Europe, largely due to the close ties between Russia and China. China also does not intend to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the meeting between the American and Russian presidents. The WSJ noted that this contradicts Western countries’ principle of including Kyiv in the negotiation process.

One source mentioned that a meeting between Putin and Trump...

Navoi and Zeytinburnu, an Istanbul district in Turkey, have officially become twin cities, as reported by the press service of the public movement Yuksalish.

Navoi Mayor Dilmurod Ergashev and Zeytinburnu’s head, Omer Arisoy, signed a cooperation protocol to enhance business and humanitarian ties between the two cities.

Navoi and Zeytinburnu plan to collaborate in various areas, including healthcare, education, tourism development, and more.

During their visit to Istanbul, the Uzbek delegation learned about the twin district’s urban planning and improvement projects.

Zeytinburnu is situated on the European side of Istanbul. Historically, a fortress was located in the area during...

An illegal religious organisation has been suppressed in Tashkent. The Uzbek State Security Service (SGB) reported that the deputy head of the Customs Committee, along with several colleagues and a university student from the capital, are suspected of establishing this organisation.

The group was primarily composed of individuals from Namangan, with suspects ranging in age from 24 to 49. Law enforcement authorities detained 17 people involved in the organisation. Among those detained were the deputy director of a technopark, the deputy head of a private driving school, and traders from the Sergeli car market, among others.

The participants were...

Samarkand and Konya in Turkey have officially become twin cities, according to a report from the public movement Yuksalish.

During a visit to Konya, representatives of the Uzbek delegation signed a cooperation protocol.

Konya has a rich history, with its first mention dating back to 7500 B.C. Today, it is recognised as a center for industry and agriculture. Additionally, near Konya, one of Turkey’s largest solar power plants is located.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Jizzakh and Guba in Azerbaijan have become twin cities.

In 2024, large enterprises in Uzbekistan produced over 1,700 tonnes of butter, marking a 58% increase compared to 2023, according to data from the Statistic Agency of the Republic.

The production volume was 389.4 tonnes in 2022. This means that butter output has increased by 4.4 times in just two years.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbekistan’s farmers plan to produce 13 mln tonnes of milk in 2025.

Grandmaster Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova, who became a champion at the age of 17, will once again represent the Uzbekistan national team. On February 12, a meeting with journalists and bloggers was held at the International Chess Academy.

Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova is an Uzbek chess player born on July 16, 1999. She was awarded the title of Women’s Grandmaster in 2016 and International Master in 2024. In 2009, she became the absolute champion of Asia in her age category, winning in both Rapid and Blitz formats. In 2015, she repeated this achievement among girls under 20.

In 2020, Gulrukhbegim decided to...

The International Multifunctional Transport and Logistics Hub in Termez has been designated as a warehouse within the Global Supply Chain Network of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This decision was officially announced during a ceremony.

The Termez center was established in 2022 at the initiative of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aiming to organize humanitarian supplies for Afghanistan and other countries. It is UNHCR’s eighth warehouse, joining logistics centers located in Jordan, the UAE, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Denmark and Panama. This network distributes over $500 mln worth of humanitarian supplies each year.

UN officials...

Dmitry Chigirev and Ekaterina Gainish, representatives of Uzbekistan’s figure skating team, won a gold medal at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, as reported by the press service of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan.

This marks the first time in 26 years that our country’s athletes have won a gold medal at the Asian Winter Games.

Chigirev and Gainish achieved a total score of 176.43 points, the highest of the competition.

The Asian Winter Games 2025 are taking place in Harbin from February 7 to February 14.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Humo will face Kazakhstan’s Gornyak...

Uzbek athletes have once again secured first place in the team classification at the Asian Para-cycling Championships, as reported by Uzbek Paralympic Committee.

The competition, which took place in Thailand, featured representatives from 15 countries. Uzbek athletes excelled, winning 26 medals: 12 gold, nine silver and five bronze.

Last year, Uzbek para-cyclists also achieved first place at the Asian Championships, garnering 19 medals.

Uzbeks won four medals at the Asian Championships for adults and youth in road cycling.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that plans are underway to build a sports center for people with disabilities in the...

In 2022 and 2023, UzAuto Motors became the leader in the production of passenger cars in Central Asia and the CIS, stated former company head Bo Andersson in an interview with Kommersant.

Among other achievements, he highlighted a 160% increase in revenue and the company’s entry into the stock market.

Andersson added that Uzbekistan has become the second most significant market for the Chevrolet car brand. Our country has surpassed markets such as Brazil, Mexico, and China.

He also advised Russian car manufacturers to adopt Uzbekistan’s approach to supplying car parts. Andersson noted that Uzbekistan’s automotive industry works with many...

On February 12, a military court in Uzbekistan delivered a verdict for ten individuals accused in the criminal case related to the attempted murder of former Presidential Administration employee Komil Allamjonov, according to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Shukhrat Rasulov was sentenced to 23 years in prison, while Javlan Yunusov received 18 years and six months.

Shokhrukh Akhmedov was sentenced to 23 years, Ismail Jahongirov to 23 years, and Daniyar Tashkhodjaev to seven years of imprisonment.

The remaining five defendants received varying prison sentences.

Uzbekistan and Mongolia are receiving shipments of medicines to combat childhood cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The medications are being delivered via a global platform with the support of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (USA). Ecuador, Nepal, and other countries will also receive the drugs.

These countries will receive the medicines on an ongoing and free basis. The initiative plans to include six more countries in the future.

According to WHO’s plan, 5,000 children will receive cancer treatment this year. In the future, the initiative aims to extend to 50 countries, with an expected...

Uzbekistan will allow the creation of microfinance banks, with amendments to the legislation, the Ministry of Justice reports.

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan will issue licences for the operation of these organisations. The law also outlines the procedure for transforming a microfinance organisation (MFO) into a microfinance bank.

Furthermore, the new type of bank will be allowed to obtain commercial bank status and vice versa. This way, the new financial institution will act as a link between the MFO status and that of a bank.

The amendments will enable MFOs to attract public funds through deposits.

In 2024, the Chevrolet Cobalt retained its dominant position in the car market of Uzbekistan. Sales of this model grew by 24.7% over the year, according to analysts at Focus2Move.

Daewoo Damas secured second place among the most popular models, with a sales increase of 58.8%.

The Chevrolet brand captured 58.5% of the Uzbek car market, increasing sales by 1.2% over the year. Daewoo remained in second place with 21.9% of the market and a year-on-year growth of 39.4%. Kia secured third place.

The fourth most popular car brand in the country was the Chinese company BYD. Its sales...

In an era of constant innovation, what is the place of tradition? On February 4, Dr. Khaled Azzam, a renowned architect and Director of the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, tackled this question in his lecture at the Republican Children’s Library in Tashkent. Kursiv Uzbekistan had the opportunity to discuss his views on how traditional arts can remain relevant today.

Tradition is a living force, not a historical relic

Dr. Azzam’s approach to tradition challenges the common perception of cultural preservation as a static process. He argues that tradition is not a fixed entity but one that...

An increase in recycling fees for electric cars is expected to boost the development of the battery recycling and waste management industry, according to Inomjon Abdurakhmonov, head of the Foreign Trade Department at the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT), who shared his thoughts on Facebook.

He highlighted that electric car batteries contain heavy metals that pose risks to human health. By 2035, Uzbekistan will accumulate over 10,000 tons of used batteries from electric cars.

The utilisation fee is one measure aimed at regulating foreign trade. It can protect the environment and the health of Uzbeks and contribute...

In 2024, Uzbekistan exported over 44,300 tons of apples, generating a total revenue of $14.5 mln, according to data from the Statistic Agency.

Last year, Kazakhstan was the primary buyer, importing more than 34,300 tons of apples from Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan supplied apples to Russia and Kyrgyzstan, with shipments exceeding 5,800 tons and 3,700 tons, respectively. The top five buyers also included Tajikistan, which imported 128 tons, and Mongolia, which imported 118 tons.

Overall, Uzbekistan exported agro-products worth $1.5 bn in 2024, reflecting an annual growth rate of 31.2%. The majority of these exports consisted of fruits and vegetables, primarily sent...

U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all imports of steel and aluminum to promote domestic production, as reported by the BBC.

After signing the document imposing the duties, the President stated that the increase in tariffs would not raise the prices of steel and aluminium in the United States. “In the end, it will be cheaper,” he said.

Trump added that he is open to retaliatory measures from other countries that supply aluminium and steel to the U.S. Currently, the U.S. primarily imports steel from Mexican and Canadian companies and Canada is the main supplier of...