News

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan plan to build a new international trade and economic park at the junction of their shared borders, marking another step toward deeper regional cooperation in Central Asia.

The proposed Dostuk International Trade and Economic Park will be located in Kyrgyzstan’s Batken region and cover around 100 hectares. The project includes logistics, production, tourism, commercial, and recreational zones aimed at boosting cross-border trade and investment.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov reviewed the project during a visit to the Dostuk («Friendship») stele at the border junction shared by the three countries. The monument was inaugurated after Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and...

The attire worn by Malaysia’s Queen during her recent visit to Uzbekistan symbolised the growing friendship and cultural ties between the two countries, Malaysian media reported.

According to the New Straits Times, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah chose an outfit that reflected respect for Uzbek culture while also highlighting Malaysia’s national identity. The ensemble was complemented by accessories featuring Islamic symbols, underscoring shared cultural and religious values between the two nations.

The royal visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in education, tourism, and cultural cooperation. Uzbek and Malaysian officials have recently expanded contacts as both countries...

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with an Austrian delegation led by Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Interior Minister Gerhard Karner to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation across key sectors.

According to the Uzbek presidential press service, trade turnover between the two countries has tripled in recent years. Current joint projects involve construction materials, tourism, healthcare, agriculture, banking, and the chemical industry.

During the visit, the sides also signed agreements related to labour migration, diplomatic cooperation, and taxation following a joint business forum in Tashkent.

The talks additionally covered regional security issues, including cooperation against terrorism, human trafficking...

The Netherlands will play Uzbekistan in their final warm-up match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Dutch Football Association announced on May 7. The friendly will take place on June 8 at Icahn Stadium in New York.

The Dutch team will travel to the United States after a June 3 friendly against Algeria in Rotterdam and hold a training camp in New York ahead of the tournament. The Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign against Japan on June 14, followed by matches against Sweden and Tunisia.

Uzbekistan, which qualified for the World Cup for the first time...

Saudi energy company ACWA Power has signed financing agreements worth $226 mln for the Bash II wind farm project in Uzbekistan during the Asian Development Bank’s annual meeting in 2026.

The Bash II project will have a capacity of 300 megawatts and is part of Uzbekistan’s broader push to expand renewable energy generation and reduce dependence on natural gas.

The financing package involves international lenders and development institutions supporting Uzbekistan’s clean-energy transition. The wind farm is expected to help increase electricity supplies while lowering carbon emissions.

Uzbekistan has rapidly expanded cooperation with foreign investors in solar, wind, and energy-storage...

Uzbekistan’s natural gas production fell by 15% in the first quarter of 2026, increasing the country’s reliance on imported fuel and adding pressure to its energy system.

According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan produced 9.6 bn cubic meters of gas in January-March, down from 11.3 bn cubic meters a year earlier. Oil, coal, and gas condensate production also declined during the period.

At the same time, domestic energy demand continues to rise as Uzbekistan’s population surpasses 38 mln and industrial growth accelerates.

The production decline has pushed Tashkent to increase imports. Uzbekistan spent $360.5 million on natural...

Red Bull have singled out Oscar Piastri as their number one choice to step in if four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen decides to part ways with the team, Motorsport reports.

Multiple sources within the Miami paddock have verified this contingency plan. Although Verstappen remains firmly under contract for next season, team bosses Laurent Mekies and Oliver Mintzlaff are reportedly preparing for the unlikely yet plausible possibility of the Dutchman switching teams, taking a sabbatical or walking away from the sport completely.

A Formula 1 operation of Red Bull’s immense scale relies on a lead driver to anchor...

HBO has officially commissioned a second series of its ambitious Harry Potter television adaptation, BBC reports. Production for the next magical instalment is scheduled to commence this autumn well before the first season even hits our screens.

While the American network has kept quiet regarding an official title for the follow-up, it is universally expected to adapt the second novel in JK Rowling’s phenomenally successful literary franchise, The Chamber of Secrets. Meanwhile, the debut season covering Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is slated for a festive premiere this Christmas on the HBO Max streaming service.

A shifting...

The Republican Stock Exchange (RSE) Toshkent has officially added the Uzbekistan National Investment Fund (UzNIF) to its quotation list. According to the trading platform’s press service, active trading of these securities is scheduled to commence on May 18.

The fund’s ordinary shares have successfully entered the exchange’s Premium category and will be traded under the ticker symbol UZNF.

Subscription and trading details

Investors looking to capitalise on this offering have a limited window to participate. The subscription period for the shares will run until May 12, with the application process closing strictly at 12:00 UK time (17:00 local time...

A public dispute has emerged between federal and local law enforcement regarding the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie. FBI Director Kash Patel recently condemned police in Arizona for allegedly blocking his agency from joining the kidnapping inquiry during its crucial initial days.

The 84-year-old mother of NBC Today programme presenter Savannah Guthrie vanished from her eldest daughter Annie’s Tucson home on January 31. She was officially reported missing the following afternoon after failing to attend a virtual church service with a friend.

Claims of stalled cooperation

During an appearance on the Hang Out With Sean Hannity podcast on Tuesday...

A viral online petition demanding the immediate departure of Kylian Mbappe has swept through the Real Madrid fanbase. Millions of supporters have reportedly added their names to the campaign over the past few days, with some estimates suggesting the figure has already surpassed four million.

However, these numbers should be treated with caution. The website hosting the poll lacks verification protocols, making it easy for frustrated individuals to cast multiple votes or for bots to artificially inflate the total.

Holiday backlash

The online uproar is a reflection of fan frustration at the tail end of 2025-26 campaign...

A controversial document purportedly written by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been released to the public by a U.S. federal judge, Reuters reports. Unsealed on Wednesday, the handwritten message contains the chilling remark:

“It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to ​say goodbye.”

The disgraced financier was awaiting trial for the sex trafficking of minors in New York and Florida when he was found dead in his Manhattan prison cell in August 2019. His death was officially ruled a suicide.

A cellmate’s discovery

The origins of the...

Romance took centre stage in California on May 6 as Billie Eilish and Nat Wolff finally made their relationship red-carpet official, People reports. The couple stepped out at the Los Angeles premiere of the 24-year-old musician’s brand-new cinematic release, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D).

Eilish donned a black skirt paired with a green Ralph Lauren polo layered neatly over a white long-sleeved shirt. She finished the ensemble with intentionally mismatched red and blue socks.

Standing proudly beside her was 31-year-old Wolff, keeping things casually smart in a brown double-breasted suit and...

The broadcasting visionary who pioneered modern rolling news through the creation of CNN has died at the age of 87. The network confirmed the passing of Ted Turner, a man widely regarded as a revolutionary force in global media who fundamentally changed how humanity consumes information.

Birth of a 24-hour news empire

When Ted Turner launched the Cable News Network in 1980, the concept of a round-the-clock news channel was met with widespread scepticism. Critics dismissively dubbed the upstart broadcaster the “Chicken Noodle Network” while doubting its long-term viability. However, the channel cemented its reputation by providing rapid...

South Korean pop giants BTS met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace on Wednesday, May 6. Following the formal reception, the septet stepped onto a balcony at the presidential headquarters to wave to a staggering crowd of approximately 50,000 people who had flooded into the Zócalo according to local government estimates, Billboard reports.

Braving the sweltering heat, the dedicated fanbase known as ARMY waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the musicians before their three highly anticipated ARIRANG tour concerts kick off in the capital on Thursday, May 7. Addressing the country’s main public square...

Uzbekistan is setting its sights on officially joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) later this year. To pave the way for entry into the global trade alliance, officials in Tashkent have undertaken a comprehensive review and overhaul of numerous legislative acts.

During a recent briefing, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was updated on the nation’s progress. Key reforms include a streamlined process for registering intellectual property alongside stricter penalties for those who violate these rights. Furthermore, the government has moved to lift export restrictions on various categories of goods to stimulate international commerce.

The domestic business landscape is also experiencing...

Several prominent MAGA-aligned commentators have publicly broken with Donald Trump over the US conflict with Iran, exposing a growing divide within his political base.

High-profile figures including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Candace Owens have criticised the war, arguing it contradicts Trump’s previous pledges to avoid foreign entanglements. Carlson described the conflict as unnecessary for U.S. security, while Owens accused the administration of abandoning core campaign promises.

The backlash comes amid mixed public opinion. While many Republican voters continue to support the military action, a majority of Americans reportedly view it as a mistake, raising concerns about political...

U.S. defence officials have dismissed unusual claims that Iran could deploy «kamikaze dolphins» during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, after being pressed on the issue at a Pentagon briefing.

Speaking alongside General Dan Caine, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reacted with humour when asked about reports suggesting Iran might use trained marine animals to attack ships. Both officials said they were unaware of any such capability, with Caine jokingly comparing the idea to «sharks with laser beams.»

The claims stem from reports that Iran may have explored reviving Cold War-era programmes involving military-trained dolphins, originally acquired from...

The World Health Organisation has confirmed a deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, with three passengers dead and several others critically ill.

Two cases have been officially confirmed, with five more suspected among the nearly 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries. Health officials warn the outbreak may involve the Andes strain of the virus, which can spread between humans — raising concerns in the ship’s confined environment.

The vessel, which departed Argentina in April on an Antarctic expedition, has become the centre of an international health response after the first passenger fell ill mid-voyage...

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has met Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two regions.

The meeting took place at Government House during Aripov’s visit to Hong Kong for trade and economic events. Both sides discussed expanding cooperation across business, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a global financial hub and a «super connector» linking mainland China with international markets, encouraging Uzbek companies to establish a presence in the city.

He also pointed to opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that both Hong Kong...

India’s young boxers have secured at least 27 medals in the U-15 category at the Asian Boxing U15 & U17 Championships 2026 in Tashkent, delivering a dominant performance.

The U-15 girls’ team guaranteed 14 out of 15 possible medals, while the boys confirmed 13, putting India on course for a historic finish in the tournament.

Several bouts were decided by RSC (Referee Stops Contest), underlining India’s attacking strength. Sastha Vasanth Ashok Kumar and Parshant both secured first-round stoppages against opponents from the UAE, while Nitin and Harshvardhan Jeena followed with second-round RSC victories.

Other boxers, including Yash Kumar

TBC Bank Group reported strong first-quarter 2026 results, highlighting continued profit growth and expansion across its core markets.

The bank posted net profit of around GEL 360–365 mln, up roughly 14–15% year-on-year, supported by higher revenues and solid lending activity.

Revenue also increased, with total income rising about 11% compared to the same period last year, reflecting strong performance in its Georgian operations and growing digital engagement.

Return on equity remained robust at around 23%, underlining the group’s profitability despite rising costs and slightly higher non-performing loans.

Management noted that while Georgia delivered strong results, operations in Uzbekistan...

Global markets rallied and oil prices fell after reports that the United States and Iran are close to reaching a deal to end the ongoing conflict.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, dropped to around $97 per barrel after earlier trading above $108, reflecting easing concerns over supply disruptions. Prices remain elevated compared with pre-conflict levels of around $70.

Stock markets responded positively to the news. The FTSE 100 rose more than 2%, while Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 also posted strong gains. Asian markets closed higher, led by a surge in South Korea’s Kospi index.

The movements...

U.S. President Donald Trump has paused a military operation aimed at escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz just 50 hours after launching it.

The initiative, known as «Project Freedom», was announced on Sunday as a response to rising tensions with Iran, which has threatened vessels in the region. The strait is a critical route for global energy supplies, carrying around 20% of the world’s oil and gas.

The U.S. deployed warships, aircraft and thousands of personnel to guide stranded vessels, with two merchant ships reportedly passing safely through on the first day.

However, Trump later announced the operation...