News

Uzbekistan has certified its first private aircraft component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider, marking another step in the rapid expansion of the country’s aviation sector.

The Civil Aviation Agency of Uzbekistan granted certification to Centrum Best MRO, a joint venture between private airline group My Freighter and Ukraine’s Best MRO Group. The company is now authorized to independently maintain and repair aircraft wheels, brakes and battery systems for Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

The new facility will initially service aircraft operated by My Freighter and its passenger subsidiary Centrum Air, whose combined fleet includes Airbus A320 family aircraft...

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Uzbekistan’s «El-Yurt Umidi» Foundation have signed a strategic agreement aimed at expanding educational cooperation and preparing a new generation of Uzbek specialists in technology, engineering and public administration.

Under the memorandum, high-achieving Uzbek students will receive scholarships to study at HKUST in fields including artificial intelligence, engineering, business, social sciences and interdisciplinary programs. The partnership also includes executive education and professional training programs for Uzbek civil servants and professionals.

Officials say the agreement reflects Uzbekistan’s long-term strategy to build a knowledge-based economy and invest in internationally educated talent...

Central Asia has become the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem region, according to a new international report highlighting rapid growth in innovation and venture activity across the region.

The Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 by StartupBlink found that Central Asia’s startup environment expanded by 81% over the past year, with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan emerging as the main drivers of growth. Uzbekistan was also named «Startup Country of the Year 2026.»

Uzbekistan climbed 19 positions in the global rankings to 79th place after recording 227% ecosystem growth — the largest single-year improvement among all countries surveyed. Tashkent also surged...

Uzbekistan has completed its first-ever dual IPO in London and Tashkent, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to open its capital markets to international investors.

The National Investment Fund of Uzbekistan (UzNIF) raised $603.6 mln through the sale of a 31% stake, valuing the fund at approximately $1.95 bn. Investor demand exceeded $2.8 bn, highlighting strong global interest in Uzbekistan’s reform agenda.

Trading began simultaneously on the London Stock Exchange and the Tashkent Stock Exchange, making it Uzbekistan’s first international equity offering. The fund is managed by Franklin Templeton and includes stakes in...

Uzbekistan’s successful first-ever IPO on the London Stock Exchange is expected to become a turning point for the country’s financial future, encouraging more Uzbek companies to seek international listings and global investors.

The National Investment Fund of Uzbekistan (UzNIF) raised more than $600 mln through its dual listing in London and Tashkent, attracting demand that far exceeded expectations. Analysts say the strong investor interest demonstrates growing international confidence in Uzbekistan’s economic reforms and long-term market potential.

Fund representatives believe the IPO could pave the way for a new generation of Uzbek companies entering global...

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that suspected Ebola infections have reached 600, with 139 potential fatalities recorded, BBC reports. Health officials warn these figures are likely to climb due to the time required to accurately detect the virus.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, confirmed on Wednesday that 51 cases have been officially verified in the Democratic Republic of Congo alongside two in neighbouring Uganda. Addressing reporters in Geneva, he indicated that the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain probably began several months ago.

While the WHO declared the situation a public health emergency of...

Uzbekistan’s national football team will use Atlanta United’s Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground as its official base camp during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

The training complex in Marietta, Georgia, will host the Uzbek squad throughout the group stage of the tournament as the country prepares for its historic World Cup debut. The team, led by head coach Fabio Cannavaro, is expected to arrive in Atlanta on June 10.

Atlanta United said the facility’s recent $25 mln expansion helped secure the agreement with FIFA and Uzbekistan’s football federation. The 33-acre complex includes six full-sized pitches...

Source Music announced on Tuesday that Le Sserafim member Chaewon is taking a temporary break from her professional schedule due to health concerns. The agency confirmed she has been receiving treatment for neck pain and will strictly focus on her recovery.

Consequently, she will be absent from a string of promotional activities for the group’s highly anticipated second studio album, Pureflow pt. 1. Her missed appearances will include television music chart shows and a live showcase. The five-piece act will temporarily continue their promotional duties as a quartet until she is fully cleared to return.

Fan concerns and...

Policymakers, technology innovators and industry heavyweights have gathered in Samarkand for the opening of M360 Eurasia 2026. The major technology summit focuses on accelerating the region’s connected future and exploring the strategies needed to unleash its full digital potential.

Coinciding with the event’s launch, the newly published Mobile Economy Eurasia 2026 report revealed that the regional mobile ecosystem generated a staggering $270 bn in economic value in 2025. This equates to 8.1% of the total GDP and puts the sector on track to exceed $300 bn by the end of the decade.

During the opening keynote address, GSMA Chief...

The Tashkent Metro is preparing to introduce a completely revamped payment system designed to modernise how passengers pay for their daily commutes, according to a presidential resolution.

The upcoming ticketing overhaul will abandon the traditional flat-rate fare in favour of a more dynamic approach. The newly approved framework outlines three mandatory principles that will govern the upgraded system:

Uzbekistan set a target to reach the highest level in the taxation category of the World Bank’s Business Ready ranking by 2030. According to the Ministry of Justice, this strategic initiative is outlined in a recent decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The World Bank metric evaluates significantly more than just the formal tax burden placed on businesses. It also rigorously assesses the development of digital state services and the overall transparency of national fiscal policy. In the 2025 assessment, the republic secured a baseline score of 70.67 out of a possible 100.

To achieve this new benchmark...

A prominent social media influencer, Gabbie Gonzalez her father and her former boyfriend have been formally charged in a shocking murder-for-hire plot aimed at a well-known pop singer, KTLA reports. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the charges following a lengthy investigation initiated by the FBI that dates back to 2020.

Authorities allege that between 2020 and 2021, 26-year-old Gabriela Lauren Gonzalez, who built a sizeable online following through lifestyle and travel content, enlisted her then-boyfriend, Kai Faron Cordrey, to secure a dark web hitman. The intended target was Jack Avery, a former member of the boy...

Apple is preparing to introduce a groundbreaking privacy feature in its upcoming iPhone 18 range that will restrict mobile network operators from tracking a user’s exact location. This enhanced security measure is powered by Apple’s proprietary C2 modem, which is anticipated to be integrated across the entire iPhone 18 lineup.

Dubbed “Limit Precise Location”, the feature masks a device’s exact coordinates from telecom providers. Instead of pinpointing the user, it only shares an approximate location at a neighbourhood level.

How limit precise location works

Typically, mobile networks identify a smartphone’s location by tracking its connection to local mast towers...

Uzbekistan is positioning itself as one of Eurasia’s fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets, offering international investors expanding opportunities in manufacturing, exports and healthcare innovation, officials say.

In an interview with Pharmabiz, Abdulla Azizov, chairman of Uzbekistan’s Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency and First Deputy Minister of Health, described the country’s pharmaceutical sector as strategically positioned for long-term growth.

According to Azizov, government-backed reforms have accelerated modernization of the industry through localization programs, technology transfer, GMP alignment and export-oriented production. Uzbekistan is also expanding pharmaceutical industrial zones and offering incentives aimed at attracting global manufacturers and investors.

Officials...

A rapidly expanding blaze originating in the Santa Ana River bed has triggered mass evacuations and left several people injured in Riverside County, California. The fire, officially named the Bain Fire, ignited on Tuesday morning shortly before 11:30 am in the Mira Loma neighbourhood of Jurupa Valley.

According to the state firefighting agency Cal Fire, the flames initially took hold near the intersection of Bain Street and Limonite Avenue.

Fuelled by dense vegetation, the blaze exhibited a moderate rate of spread throughout the afternoon. By 8:30 pm, it had scorched roughly 1,375 acres with containment sitting at just...

The South Korean television landscape has been completely dominated by MBC’s latest romantic comedy. Starring beloved idol-turned-actress IU alongside Byeon Woo-seok, “Perfect Crown” has taken the globe by storm.

Set in a fictional 21st-century constitutional monarchy, the 12-episode series follows a gripping contract marriage between Seong Hui-ju, a fiercely competitive chaebol heiress with everything but a royal title, and Grand Prince I-an, a royal who possesses status but lacks personal freedom.

With its grand production scale, sharp political manoeuvring and electric chemistry between the lead actors, the drama recently concluded its run on May 16, 2026 with a massive...

Tech giant Apple is reportedly laying the groundwork for the release of its flagship Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max alongside the standard Pro model in September 2026.

Beyond the usual flagship upgrades, the autumn launch event might also serve as the stage for a monumental debut: the brand’s very first foldable smartphone. Currently, industry insiders are referring to this elusive device as either the “iPhone Fold” or the “iPhone Ultra”.

Anticipated pricing strategy

While early speculation heavily focused on processor speeds and camera lenses, recent reports are shedding light on how much these premium handsets might cost across global...

Tashkent hosted the first Global Tech Weekend festival, bringing together international investors, startup founders, technology companies and innovators as Uzbekistan strengthens its ambitions to become a regional tech hub.

The three-day event featured more than 120 local and international speakers alongside thousands of entrepreneurs, engineers, venture capital representatives and young innovators. More than 40 events were held across the city, including startup pitches, workshops, networking sessions and technology showcases.

Organisers said the festival aimed to strengthen Uzbekistan’s startup ecosystem, attract global investment and expand international cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech, Web3, gaming and digital infrastructure.

Uzbekistan is preparing for its historic debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after becoming the first Central Asian nation ever to qualify for football’s biggest tournament.

The Uzbek national team secured qualification following a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates in the Asian qualifiers, ending decades of near misses and heartbreak.

Led by head coach Timur Kapadze, Uzbekistan’s squad features rising stars including Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, Roma striker Eldor Shomurodov and CSKA Moscow winger Abbosbek Fayzullaev. Analysts say the team’s disciplined defense and strong youth development system have played a major role in its...

A full production cycle for Volkswagen vehicles is planned to be launched in Angren. This became known during a presentation of proposals for the development of the automotive industry reviewed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The Volkswagen project will be implemented in stages. The first stage предусматривает large-scale assembly in Tashkent, after which the company plans to move to a full production cycle in the Angren Free Economic Zone.

By the end of 2026, a strategy for the development of the auto parts market is also expected to be prepared with the involvement of international consultants.

Today, Uzbekistan already...

U.S. prosecutors have moved to drop fraud and conspiracy charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani over an alleged bribery scheme linked to a massive solar energy project in India.

The case, filed in federal court in New York in 2024, accused Adani and several associates of paying about $265 mln in bribes to Indian officials to secure lucrative solar contracts while misleading U.S. investors. The Adani Group denied all allegations, calling them baseless.

According to court filings, the U.S. Department of Justice said it decided not to devote further resources to the prosecution and requested dismissal of the...

Uzbekistan Airways has introduced support for Apple Pay and Google Pay, allowing passengers to purchase tickets and additional services using digital wallets through the airline’s website and mobile app.

The airline said the new payment options are aimed at making the booking process faster and more convenient for customers. Payments can now be completed directly through booking.uzairways.com and the Uzbekistan Airways mobile application.

The launch is part of the carrier’s broader digitalization strategy, which recently also included the introduction of WeChat Pay services for passengers traveling from China.

Uzbekistan has been actively expanding the use of international payment...

A new family law has come into force in Afghanistan, according to which the silence of a girl who has reached puberty is now considered legal consent to marriage, the New York Post writes.

According to the new rules, if a girl who has reached puberty does not verbally object to marriage, this may be interpreted as consent to the wedding.

At the same time, the rule applies only to girls who have never previously been married. For men, widows, and divorced women, verbal confirmation remains mandatory.

The document was signed by Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada.

In...

New leaks about the future Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max, which Apple is expected to unveil in September 2026, have appeared online, according to Live India. Insiders report a larger battery, camera upgrades, and a more compact Dynamic Island.

According to the leaks, Apple will retain the overall design of the Pro lineup with a titanium body but reduce the Dynamic Island cutout by nearly one-third. The company is also reportedly testing under-display Face ID, which could leave only a small hole for the front-facing camera on the screen.

The main upgrade is expected to be the camera...