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Cristiano Ronaldo has been cleared to captain Portugal in the early stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, easing concerns about the veteran forward’s availability ahead of the tournament.

The decision follows uncertainty over a previous suspension that had put his participation in the opening matches in doubt. With the ruling now clarified, Ronaldo is expected to feature in Portugal’s first group-stage fixtures, including a highly anticipated match against Uzbekistan.

Portugal and Uzbekistan have reportedly been drawn into the same group, setting up a notable encounter between the European powerhouse and the Central Asian side in the expanded...

Uzbekistan and the United States have agreed to establish a new joint investment platform aimed at expanding bilateral economic cooperation, according to Uzbekistan’s presidential press service.

The agreement was reached during talks in Washington, D.C., involving President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, representatives of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Discussions focused on boosting financing for major infrastructure and industrial projects, as well as supporting the delivery of advanced technologies to Uzbekistan. The sides also highlighted plans to deepen investment cooperation and expand support for Uzbekistan’s financial sector and energy industry.

Uzbek officials welcomed potential...

Switzerland became the second team to reach the women’s curling semi-finals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after a hard-fought victory over Denmark on Wednesday.

The Swiss side entered the match with a strong round-robin record and sealed a 6–4 win thanks to a decisive final end, scoring three points to secure qualification for the knockout stage.

Skip Silvana Tirinzoni praised both teams after the match, describing the contest as tightly contested and highlighting the significance of reaching an Olympic semi-final.

Denmark eliminated as playoff race tightens

The defeat knocked Denmark out of semi-final contention, joining...

The United States secured a dramatic place in the men’s ice hockey semi-finals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after Quinn Hughes scored an overtime winner in a 2–1 victory over Sweden on Wednesday.

The tense quarter-final appeared headed for extra time after Mika Zibanejad equalised for Sweden late in the third period, cancelling out Dylan Larkin’s earlier goal for the Americans. But Hughes delivered the decisive moment in sudden death, keeping Team USA’s hopes of a first Olympic gold since 1980 alive.

«It was a relief,» Hughes said after the game, reflecting...

Day 12 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered another packed schedule of standout performances, historic milestones, and dramatic finishes across the ice and snow.

Several of the Games’ biggest names stepped into the spotlight, including Mikaela Shiffrin, Johannes Hosflot Klæbo, Xu Mengtao and Arianna Fontana, as medals were decided in multiple disciplines.

Shiffrin claims long-awaited slalom gold

American alpine skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin secured her first gold of the Games in the women’s slalom, finishing well ahead of the field with a commanding two-run performance. Switzerland’s Camille Rast took silver, while Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson

Canada’s Steven Dubois claimed Olympic gold in the men’s 500m short track speed skating final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, delivering a dominant front-running performance.

Dubois burst into the lead from the start and held his advantage throughout the race, crossing the line in 40.85 seconds to secure his first individual Olympic gold medal.

The Netherlands’ Melle van ’t Wout finished just 0.06 seconds behind in 40.91 to take silver, earning his first Olympic medal. Fellow Dutch skater Jens van ’t Wout claimed bronze in 41.92, completing a double podium for the Netherlands.

The...

The teams that reached the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 have secured automatic qualification for the 2028 edition, set to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Pakistan’s win over Namibia completed the Super 8 line-up, with Pakistan and defending champions India advancing from Group A. Other teams progressing include Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe (Group B), West Indies and England (Group C), and South Africa and New Zealand (Group D).

As co-hosts, Australia and New Zealand were already guaranteed places in the 2028 tournament. Under qualification rules, all Super 8 teams join the hosts...

Uzbekistan and Qatar have held talks on expanding bilateral economic cooperation during a visit by an Uzbek delegation to Doha, officials said on Wednesday.

The delegation, led by First Deputy Foreign Minister Bahromjon Aloyev, met with senior Qatari officials and business leaders, including representatives of the Qatar Fund for Development and Al Jabor Trading Group.

Discussions focused on strengthening investment ties, exploring joint projects, and expanding cooperation in socio-economic sectors.

Both sides expressed mutual interest in deepening bilateral relations and advancing new initiatives aimed at boosting economic partnership between the two countries.

From economics and politics to business...

Uzbekistan and the United Kingdom have signed a new cooperation memorandum aimed at expanding bilateral trade and launching joint business projects, Uzbek officials said on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed during the Makkah Halal Forum by Davronbek Kurbonov, First Deputy Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Iqbal Sacranie, head of the British Muslim Trade Forum.

The memorandum outlines steps to deepen economic cooperation through trade delegation exchanges, joint exhibitions, and information sharing, as well as collaboration in technical expertise and education.

Priority areas include Islamic tourism, investment in the jewelry sector, mineral fertilizer exports, and...

Uzbekistan has presented its new SAHRO VM-1 jet-powered target drone at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, marking a step forward in the country’s domestic military UAV development.

Developed by Uzbek firm SAHRO DI, the VM-1 is a 45 kg turbojet aerial target designed for air-defense training and live-fire exercises. The system is intended to simulate fast-moving aerial threats for radar tracking and interceptor testing, offering a more realistic alternative to slower propeller-driven drones.

According to available specifications, the drone has an endurance of up to 60 minutes, an operational radius of around 30 km, and a...

Uzbekistan is stepping up its ambitions to become a key player in the global critical minerals market, following a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the United States in early February. The agreement could open the door to investment and supply chain integration — but it also places Tashkent in a delicate geopolitical balancing act.

From diplomacy to resources

On February 4, Uzbekistan and the United States signed an MoU on securing supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, building on a 2024 cooperation framework. The deal was announced during a Washington ministerial that brought...

The World Health Organization’s Europe office has launched a technical mission to Uzbekistan aimed at improving early diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer and reducing survival inequalities across the region.

The mission, running from February 18 to 27 in Tashkent, is being conducted in collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and builds on Uzbekistan’s participation in the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.

Health experts note that childhood cancers differ from adult cancers and are often linked to genetic factors rather than lifestyle risks. While survival rates can exceed 80% in countries with strong health systems, outcomes...

Global logistics firm GEODIS has supported the transport of specialised equipment for international humanitarian operations, highlighting the growing role of private logistics providers in crisis response.  Provider, is deploying a tailored European multimodal solution to support MND in delivering equipment for the four-season development of the Chimgan resort in Uzbekistan. 

The operation involved coordinating complex supply chains and ensuring timely delivery of sensitive cargo, demonstrating the importance of public-private cooperation in emergency logistics.

The European Road Network line of business’ partnership with MND continues with this new phase of supply shipments scheduled to commence in March 2026.

Kazakhstan is positioning beekeeping as a new driver of agricultural exports, with authorities promoting honey production as part of efforts to diversify the agro-industrial sector.

Officials say growing global demand for natural honey and organic products is creating opportunities for Kazakh producers, particularly in environmentally clean regions suited for large-scale apiaries. Export-oriented programs and state support measures are helping expand production capacity and improve quality standards.

Industry analysts note that honey exports could become a niche but fast-growing segment of Kazakhstan’s non-oil exports in the coming years.

From economics and politics to business, technology and culture, Kursiv Uzbekistan...

Azerbaijan’s participation in the Consultative Meeting Platform of Central Asian Leaders marks a new chapter in regional cooperation, a Turkmen expert said at an international conference in Baku.

Speaking at the C6: One Region, Shared Future – Enhancing Strategic Dialogue forum, Shiri Shiriyev, director of the Center for Strategic Studies at Turkmenistan’s Institute of International Relations, described Azerbaijan’s accession as a step toward deeper integration across the Caspian region.

He said the C6 format is evolving beyond a dialogue platform into a mechanism for developing joint responses to global instability, strengthening economic ties, and expanding humanitarian and expert...

The number of Uzbek tourists visiting Egypt rose sharply in 2025, with the country emerging as one of the most popular foreign destinations for travellers from Uzbekistan, according to regional tourism reports.

Egypt’s iconic landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and historical sites in Cairo and Luxor, remain key attractions. At the same time, Red Sea resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are gaining popularity among Uzbek visitors seeking beach holidays and water sports.

Industry experts attribute the surge to expanded flight connectivity, including more direct routes by Uzbekistan Airways and EgyptAir, as well...

The holy month of Ramadan has begun in Saudi Arabia, several Gulf nations, and Afghanistan, with Muslims observing their first fast on Wednesday.

Thousands gathered at Islam’s holiest sites, including Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah, for the first Taraweeh prayers, marking the start of the sacred month with worship and reflection.

A number of countries, including Iraq, Oman, Turkiye, Indonesia and Malaysia, are set to begin fasting on Thursday. In Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are also expected to mark the first day of Ramadan on Thursday, alongside countries such as Bangladesh...

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has rejected claims that she and former President Bill Clinton are tied to files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while accusing the Trump administration of orchestrating a cover-up.

Speaking publicly amid renewed scrutiny over the Epstein documents, Clinton said neither she nor her husband had any links to Epstein’s crimes and insisted they had been transparent about their knowledge of the case.

She also alleged that the administration was withholding or slowing the release of Epstein-related files, calling for full transparency and the publication of unredacted documents.

The comments...

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan plan to increase rail freight volumes between the two countries to up to 60 mln tons, following talks between their transport ministers, Qazinform News Agency reported.

The sides emphasised the strategic role of rail links in strengthening trade ties, expanding transit potential, and deepening regional transport integration, noting significant room for further growth and logistics efficiency.

Rail freight between the two countries reached 32.3 mln tons last year, marking a 16% increase compared to 2024.

The countries agreed on a joint action plan to upgrade infrastructure at key junctions, including Saryagash, Oasis, and Syrdarya, complete...

Uzbekistan has begun developing its first 6U national scientific satellite, named Mirzo Ulugbek, with a planned launch in 2028, Qazinform News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Authorities are forming an engineering corps and training specialists for the project, while parallel preparations are underway to send the country’s first national astronaut on a 10–14 day mission.

Proposed research during the mission includes medical and biological experiments such as remote diagnostics and testing local medicinal extracts. Scientists also plan to study plant genetics, focusing on drought- and salt-resistant crops, as well as model closed agro-biosystems and test heat-absorbing and dissipating materials.

A second round of indirect nuclear talks between the United States and Iran concluded in Geneva on Tuesday after more than five hours of negotiations, with no agreement reached, according to international and Iranian media reports.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters that Tehran is willing to remain in Geneva «for days or even weeks» to secure a final deal, emphasizing that full sanctions relief remains Iran’s top priority.

«Iran is negotiating seriously and in good faith,» Baqaei said, expressing hope that Washington would demonstrate a similar commitment.

The Oman-mediated talks...

Jesse Jackson, the US civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, has died at the age of 84, his family has announced.

A Baptist minister and longtime activist, Jackson rose to prominence during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, working closely with Martin Luther King Jr and taking part in major campaigns including the Selma to Montgomery marches.

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1941, Jackson became a key figure in the fight against racial segregation and inequality. King later appointed him to roles within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where he led initiatives aimed at improving...

The National Ballet of Uzbekistan is set to present Lazgi. Dance of Soul and Love at the Großes Festspielhaus in Salzburg, bringing a centuries-old Uzbek dance tradition to one of Europe’s leading cultural venues.

Originating in western Uzbekistan, Lazgi has evolved from a regional ritual dance into one of the country’s most recognisable cultural symbols. Known for its sharp rhythm, expressive gestures and emotional intensity, the dance is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Organisers describe the Salzburg staging as a major moment of cultural diplomacy, positioning the production as a bridge...

A viral video circulating online claims actor Mark Ruffalo launched a late-night livestream after receiving an alleged threat, though the incident remains unverified.

According to posts widely shared on TikTok and other platforms, Ruffalo went live around 3:07am local time, speaking about pressure faced by public figures when commenting on issues outside their professional fields. The claims are based largely on user-generated content, and neither Ruffalo nor his representatives have confirmed the livestream or any threat.

One viral post alleges Ruffalo received a message at 1:44am from a verified account tied to an influential figure. The purported message...