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The Uzbekistan National Investment Fund (UzNIF) is initiating preparations for the initial public offering of the state carrier Uzbekistan Airways. This was recently reported by Bloomberg following statements from Marius Dan who serves as the chief executive of Franklin Templeton Central Asia.

To facilitate the upcoming public listing the fund will begin the process of selecting equity capital market consultants this June. These appointed financial advisors will assist the national airline as well as several other prominent state businesses currently held within the wider UzNIF portfolio.

It emerged in mid-June that the government plans to float up to...

Over the past few years Uzbekistan has attracted more than $150 bn in foreign investments, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev shared during his speech at the Tashkent Investment Forum. He highlighted the rapid acceleration of these capital inflows by noting that $123 bn of the total figure was secured in the last five years alone.

“We are always open to investors interested in cooperating with Uzbekistan and ready for an equal and mutually beneficial partnership,” the president told the forum attendees.

Record economic projections for 2026

Looking to the future the national gross domestic...

Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo has urged his squad to avoid complacency as they prepare to face Uzbekistan in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Speaking on Tuesday the Argentine manager noted that the first week of the tournament has already proven that there are no easy games on the global stage.

The South American side are making their highly anticipated return to the competition after failing to qualify for the 2022 edition. While they enter Wednesday’s clash at the Estadio Azteca as heavy favourites Lorenzo stressed the immense importance of respecting an Uzbekistan team making their...

The production team behind the hit dating programme Love Island USA has been left devastated following the sudden death of executive producer James Barker. The 40-year-old television veteran suffered a fatal medical emergency last week while actively working on the eighth series of the reality show.

Both ITV America and the streaming platform Peacock issued a joint statement to express their profound sorrow. Network officials described his passing as an unimaginable loss that has deeply impacted everyone involved with the reality programme and the wider corporate family. To mark his significant contributions to the franchise a dedicated on-screen tribute...

Uzbekistan national football team head coach Fabio Cannavaro has revealed that his squad will adopt a cautious tactical strategy in their upcoming fixtures against Colombia and Portugal.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference the manager shared his assessment of their immediate opponents ahead of the crucial World Cup encounter.

“We have analysed Colombia’s game — this is a team that fights until the very end,” Cannavaro told reporters.

Captain calls for fan support

National team captain Eldor Shomurodov also attended the media briefing to discuss the squad’s current mindset. He stated that his...

Argentina have made a commanding start to their 2026 World Cup title defence. Lionel Scaloni’s team secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening group fixture with captain Lionel Messi delivering a historic hat-trick that places him alongside the tournament’s greatest ever scorers.

The North African side began the match with plenty of attacking intent and almost caused a major upset in the early stages. Fares Chaibi found the back of the net in the ninth minute after breaking through on goal but the strike was subsequently ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Argentina responded swiftly...

A new documentary examining the inner workings of OnlyFans has drawn attention for its bleak portrayal of the subscription platform and the pressures faced by content creators.

OnlyFans: Inside the Machine, airing on Channel 4, follows creators, agencies and industry insiders to explore how the platform operates behind the scenes. Rather than focusing on glamour or financial success stories, the documentary highlights intense competition, algorithm-driven visibility and the growing role of management firms that oversee creators’ accounts.

Reviewers described the programme as a stark look at the realities of the creator economy, arguing that it reveals the emotional...

HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series has cast Peeves the Poltergeist, a beloved character from J.K. Rowling’s books who was notably absent from the original film franchise. British actor and comedian Peter Serafinowicz will portray the mischievous Hogwarts ghost in the new adaptation.

Peeves, known for causing chaos throughout Hogwarts and tormenting caretaker Argus Filch, appeared prominently in the novels but was removed from the movies despite scenes being filmed for the first installment. Director Chris Columbus later said he regretted the decision to cut the character.

The inclusion of Peeves is being viewed as a sign that...

Protests broke out in Los Angeles after a court upheld FIFA’s ban on displaying Iran’s pre-revolutionary «Lion and Sun» flag at 2026 World Cup matches, a symbol widely used by opponents of the Islamic Republic.

The ruling came ahead of Iran’s opening Group G match against New Zealand, where hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the stadium and some fans attempted to bring the banned flag into the venue. The flag has become a prominent symbol of anti-government sentiment among many Iranians living abroad.

The controversy added to an already tense atmosphere surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament. Some...

Boxing star Tyson Fury and his wife Paris Fury have come under fire on social media after publicly showing support for US President Donald Trump during a UFC event held at the White House.

The couple attended UFC Freedom 250, a high-profile mixed martial arts event hosted on the White House lawn to mark Trump’s 80th birthday and the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence. During the event, Fury was seen wearing a cap reading «Donald Trump for Prime Minister» and later shared photos with Trump, UFC president Dana White and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The former heavyweight...

A millionaire banker has been arrested in connection with the infamous “Putney Pusher” case, nearly nine years after a woman was shoved into the path of a moving bus on a London bridge.

The Metropolitan Police said a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm over the May 2017 incident on Putney Bridge in southwest London. The suspect was taken into custody as detectives reopened the long-running investigation.

The case gained international attention after CCTV footage showed a jogger pushing a 33-year-old woman into traffic during rush hour. The victim narrowly escaped serious injury...

Albania is emerging as a potential new transit corridor for Uzbek goods heading to Europe. This strategic prospect was a primary focus of recent negotiations between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his Albanian counterpart Bajram Begaj during their meeting at the Kuksaroy residence.

The two heads of state engaged in detailed discussions regarding the feasibility of utilising the Albanian port of Durres to deliver Uzbek merchandise directly to Mediterranean and Southern European markets. Officials from both sides noted that enhancing transport and logistics cooperation would significantly broaden bilateral trade networks and unlock fresh avenues for commercial...

Uzbekistan is accelerating efforts to develop Islamic finance as part of a broader strategy to attract investment from Gulf countries and strengthen its position in emerging capital markets.

The topic was discussed during a panel session titled «Islamic Finance and Sukuk Markets: Channeling Gulf Capital into Emerging Economies» at the Tashkent International Investment Forum. Participants explored how sukuk bonds, takaful insurance and other Sharia-compliant financial instruments can help direct sovereign and institutional capital into infrastructure and business projects across the region.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan Sanjar Nosirov said the country is implementing...

U.S. President Donald Trump has come under fire after hosting a high-profile UFC event at the White House on his 80th birthday, with critics accusing him of turning a public institution into a platform for personal promotion.

The event, known as UFC Freedom 250, took place on the South Lawn of the White House and was organised in partnership with UFC president Dana White. Thousands of spectators attended the fights, which coincided with celebrations marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

However, protesters and watchdog groups argued that the spectacle blurred the line between public office and...

The Turkish entertainment industry has been left in shock following the sudden death of actress Ece Irtem. Best known for her role as Isil in the hit television series Cranberry Sorbet, the star passed away on June 15 at the age of 35.

According to Turkish media reports the actress began feeling unwell at her flat on Saturday morning. Her mother was present with her at the time and immediately called for emergency services. Paramedics arrived at the scene and quickly commenced resuscitation efforts but were sadly unable to save her life.

The death was officially confirmed by her...

Tunisia have officially parted ways with head coach Sabri Lamouchi following a severe 5-1 defeat against Sweden in their opening 2026 World Cup fixture. The result of Sunday’s Group F clash at the Estadio Monterrey in Mexico prompted swift action from the Tunisian Football Association.

While earlier rumours indicated an immediate sacking, the 54-year-old still conducted training on Monday. However the national association later released a formal statement confirming that the Frenchman’s contract had been terminated by mutual agreement.

An unwanted tournament record

This swift dismissal means Lamouchi is now the first manager in the history of the...

A new technology park named “Metals of the Future” is scheduled to open in the city of Chirchiq. The facility will specialise in the advanced processing of tungsten and molybdenum.

Details of the planned industrial hub were presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a recent briefing regarding the strategic development of the national mineral industry.

An integrated development centre will also be established at the site. This dedicated facility aims to support emerging industry startups, produce exceptionally high-purity metals and manufacture high-tech goods.

Regional critical minerals centre

During the presidential presentation officials also discussed the creation of...

The government of Uzbekistan has introduced a series of updated financial regulations designed to ease restrictions on foreign investments and streamline currency operations for local enterprises.

Under the new framework private enterprises without state participation will be permitted to allocate up to $200,000 annually towards establishing international businesses, acquiring foreign company shares and opening overseas trading houses. For commercial entities with state involvement this annual investment ceiling has been set at $100,000.

Authorities have also raised the allowance for replenishing the working capital of international branches and representative offices. The updated financial limits are structured as follows:

Joshua, a prominent member of the South Korean music group Seventeen, is scheduled to deliver a formal speech at an upcoming UNESCO youth event. His management agency Pledis Entertainment confirmed on Tuesday that the singer will address audiences at the organisation’s headquarters in Paris on June 25.

The artist will speak on behalf of the entire thirteen-member band to champion their joint global youth support programme, officially titled “Going Together — For Youth Creativity & Well-being”.

Seventeen has built a strong working relationship with the international body in recent years. The group was appointed as official youth goodwill ambassadors...

BigHit Music announced on Tuesday that Yeonjun, a prominent member of the South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT), will launch his second individual extended play next month. The new project is titled No Labels: Part 02 and is scheduled for a global release at 1 p.m. on July 10.

The upcoming EP arrives approximately eight months after his debut solo effort, No Labels: Part 01. Industry observers and fans alike expect the new album to further highlight his personal storytelling and distinct musical identity.

During his previous solo campaign Yeonjun actively participated in the songwriting, composition and choreography...

South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, whose evocative music captured the spirit of the nation’s townships and became an anthem for the anti-apartheid movement, has died at the age of 91. The office of President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his passing on Monday without detailing a specific cause of death.

Ibrahim forged a unique musical identity by fusing American jazz and spirituals with the distinct rhythms of southern Africa. This innovative sound ultimately served as a potent cultural challenge to the brutal white supremacist government of his homeland.

Early life and jazz epistles

Born Adolph Johannes Brand in...

Up to 20% of shares in the national carrier Uzbekistan Airways are scheduled to be floated on the international stock market by the end of 2026. The preparation for this initial public offering (IPO) was the central focus of a recent strategic presentation reviewed by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

To facilitate the upcoming listing the airline is currently undergoing a comprehensive transformation programme developed in partnership with the global investment firm Franklin Templeton. The strategic initiative involves 115 specific measures designed to enhance management efficiency, improve financial performance and align corporate operations with international standards.

Financial...

The Iranian national football team recorded a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their first match of the 2026 World Cup. The Iranian side fell behind twice during the game before recovering to secure a point.

New Zealand opened the scoring in the seventh minute of the match. Forward Chris Wood gained possession near the penalty area and passed the ball to Elijah Just who struck it into the net.

Following the goal Iran increased their offensive pressure. Mehdi Taremi hit the goalpost before the team equalised in the 32nd minute. Ramin Rezaeian gained control of the ball following a...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has extended formal congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the occasion of his birthday.

In his diplomatic address the Uzbek leader praised Xi’s exceptional leadership qualities and highlighted his instrumental role in driving China’s ongoing national development. According to Mirziyoyev the Chinese nation is moving forward with immense confidence due to Xi’s carefully calculated policies and strategic vision. He commended Beijing for securing continuous milestones in both its socioeconomic evolution and broader state modernisation efforts.

Strengthening bilateral ties

The congratulatory letter placed a strong emphasis on the dynamic expansion of diplomatic...