News

Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways have announced a new codeshare agreement aimed at expanding connectivity between the Middle East and Central Asia.

The partnership will allow passengers to book combined itineraries across both airlines’ networks, improving travel options between Abu Dhabi, Tashkent and other destinations linked to the historic Silk Road region. The agreement is expected to strengthen tourism, trade and business ties between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The deal comes as Etihad continues its rapid international expansion strategy. Earlier this year, the UAE carrier announced new routes to Tashkent and several other Eurasian destinations as...

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed creating a «Digital Turkic Corridor» and a joint cybersecurity alliance during the informal summit of the Organisation of Turkic States in Turkestan.

According to Mirziyoyev, Turkic countries should establish a shared cooperation network in artificial intelligence and jointly develop modern digital technologies.

The proposed corridor would connect regional data centers through high-speed communication channels. Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan has already attracted around $6 billion in investments for the construction of data centers.

The Uzbek leader also proposed forming a Turkic Cybersecurity Alliance aimed at protecting digital infrastructure and coordinating efforts against cyber threats.

In...

Uzbekistan earned $1.6 bn from the export of tourism services between January and April 2026. Compared to the same period last year, the figure increased by 40%.

This was announced during a press conference held by the Tourism Committee on reforms in the sector, attended by Committee Chairman Abdulaziz Akkulov.

Since the beginning of the year, Uzbekistan has welcomed 4 mln foreign visitors, which is 29.9% more than during the same period last year.

The number of visitors from China increased 3.5 times. Tourist arrivals from Malaysia grew 2.2 times, from Japan 1.6 times, and from the United States...

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited a new mosque in Turkestan built by Uzbekistan as a gift to Kazakhstan.

The mosque complex covers more than seven hectares and can accommodate over 5,000 worshippers at the same time. The site includes four 70-meter minarets and a three-story main building with a large prayer hall and traditional iwans.

The architecture of the complex follows eastern and Islamic design traditions, featuring national ornaments, domes, calligraphy and decorative elements.

A 4.2-hectare landscaped area was also developed around the mosque, including green spaces, walking paths, fountains and recreation areas.

Elizabeth Olsen has joined Kristen Stewart and Oscar Isaac in the upcoming vampire thriller Flesh of the Gods, directed by Panos Cosmatos, best known for the cult horror film Mandy.

The film is described as an «’80s-set vampire thriller» following a married couple drawn into a dark and glamorous underground world in Los Angeles. The project is being produced by filmmaker Adam McKay and has attracted attention at the Cannes market.

Industry reports later suggested that production plans evolved, with Wagner Moura replacing Oscar Isaac due to scheduling conflicts, while actress Esmé Creed-Miles reportedly took over Olsen’s role...

Uzbekistan will allocate an additional 450 bn soums ($35 mln) to develop tourism infrastructure in the country’s regions, officials announced during a press conference on tourism sector reforms.

According to Tourism Committee Chairman Abdulaziz Akkulov, the government plans to create 24,000 new jobs in tourism and related industries, while another 16,000 jobs are expected to be brought out of the shadow economy.

Authorities also plan to introduce a new management system for the sector based on the chain «tourist destination — project — infrastructure — entrepreneur — promotion — tourist» to improve coordination and efficiency.

As part of the initiative...

British energy giant BP’s return to Uzbekistan is a strong signal for global investors, according to Alexander Smotrov, head of the international department at London Politica, speaking to Kursiv Uzbekistan.

«This will be BP’s first major project in Uzbekistan. The company has revised its strategy and is returning to traditional oil and gas production. Ustyurt fits perfectly into this direction, it is a region with untapped resources, government support and reliable partners such as SOCAR, with whom BP has long cooperated. All the conditions for success are there, now everything depends on implementation,» Smotrov...

The GSMA has announced new details for M360 Eurasia 2026, which will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 20–21, bringing together policymakers, telecom leaders and technology companies to discuss the region’s digital future.

The event will focus on artificial intelligence, sovereign digital infrastructure, satellite connectivity and cybersecurity as Eurasia positions itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing digital hubs. Organisers said the summit reflects Uzbekistan’s ambitions to become a regional center for IT, AI and digital innovation under its «Digital Uzbekistan 2030» strategy.

The conference follows last year’s M360 Eurasia forum in Tashkent and marks the second...

The stage is set for one of the most gruelling motorsport events on the calendar. Max Verstappen’s highly anticipated foray into the legendary Nurburgring 24 Hours has already delivered high drama, with his #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 securing fourth place on the grid ahead of tomorrow’s marathon race.

During today’s intense Top Qualifying shootout, the immense pressure of the final flying lap fell to seasoned GT specialist Dani Juncadella. The Spaniard masterfully navigated the notoriously unforgiving 25.3-kilometre Nordschleife circuit, dragging the Verstappen.com Racing entry onto the second row of the grid.

A formidable alliance

Competing in the...

The ancient city of Samarkand is set to become the focal point of the global chess community this year as it prepares to host the International Chess Federation (FIDE) presidential elections. The vote will be held during the organisation’s General Assembly between September 26 and 27.

This electoral event forms part of the wider FIDE Congress which is scheduled to take place in the Uzbek city from September 20 to 27.

FIDE has established a strict timeline for prospective leadership candidates. The deadlines are structured as follows:

A woman who was trafficked from Uzbekistan as a vulnerable teenager delivered powerful public testimony detailing the horrific abuse she endured at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking publicly for the first time, the survivor, identified only by her first name, Roza, revealed that the late sex offender repeatedly raped her whilst he was supposedly serving a sentence under house arrest, BBC reports.

Roza delivered her harrowing account alongside other victims during a special field hearing organised by House Democrats in West Palm Beach, Florida. The location was deliberately chosen by Democratic lawmaker Robert Garcia as the area where...

Uzbekistan’s transition towards a sustainable energy grid has gained significant momentum this year, with “clean” electricity production rising by 29% compared to the same period in 2025. According to the Ministry of Energy, the republic has already generated 4 bn kWh of renewable energy by the middle of May.

Current infrastructure and capacity

The country now operates 20 large-scale green power plants with a combined capacity exceeding 5.5 GW. This growing portfolio is currently dominated by solar energy, though wind power is becoming an increasingly vital component of the national mix. The current breakdown of these facilities includes...

Centrum Air has expanded its fleet with a 16th Airbus A320-214 named Alisher Navoi, the company’s press service confirmed to Kursiv Uzbekistan.

The airline emphasised that it is proudly continuing its tradition of naming its planes after prominent figures from Uzbek culture and history. Bearing the registration number UK32077, the new aircraft arrived in Tashkent on Thursday, May 14. It has the capacity to carry 186 passengers and is scheduled to operate flights to destinations across the Middle East and CIS countries.

“Expanding our fleet is the foundation for the airline’s growth. It means new destinations...

The world’s top 100 brands have collectively reached $13 trln in total value. This figure represents a 22% year-on-year increase, underscoring the commercial advantage of treating a brand as an asset rather than a cost.

Beyond the overall $13 trln benchmark, the report highlights significant growth in specific sectors. The Business Technology and Services Platforms category experienced a 25% year-on-year increase in value. The top 20 brands within this single category now boast a combined total brand value of over $4.05 trln.

Kantar BrandZ is an annual analysis providing an evidence base on how brands create value...

The official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived. Released on Thursday, May 14, “Dai Dai” sees Colombian music icon Shakira team up with Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy for a vibrant and fiercely motivational track.

Seamlessly blending Afrobeats, dance-pop, world beats and reggaeton, the nearly four-minute song delivers an uplifting message of resilience and ambition for athletes and fans globally. Shakira opens the track with powerful lyrics:

«You knew from the day you were born/ That here in this place you belong/ You’ve been this brave all along/ What...

British developer Playground Games has officially taken pole position. Forza Horizon 6 has accelerated past all competition to become the highest-rated video game of the year so far, BBC reports.

Boasting an impressive Metacritic average of 91 out of 100, the arcade racer has comfortably surpassed early-year heavyweights like Pokémon Pokopia and Resident Evil Requiem, both of which sit at 89. Scheduled for official release on Xbox consoles and PC on May 19, this latest instalment transports the beloved open-world franchise to Japan. This highly anticipated setting has been heavily requested by the racing community for years and offers...

Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse confirmed they are starting a family. The 33-year-old actor and his 32-year-old model wife shared the joyful news while walking the red carpet at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France on Thursday May 14, People reports.

Posing happily for the cameras, Palvin debuted her blossoming baby bump in an elegant light blue gown featuring cap sleeves and a striking feather skirt. She kept a protective hand cradling her stomach throughout the event. Sprouse stood proudly by her side in a classic tuxedo with his arm affectionately wrapped around his wife.

The love...

U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that China has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft following diplomatic talks. However, the American planemaker saw its shares drop as the final figure fell significantly short of market expectations, Reuters reports.

Speaking to the Fox News Channel on Thursday, Trump confirmed the agreement following his highly anticipated summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

“One thing he agreed to today, he’s going to order 200 jets … 200 big ones,” Trump remarked on the Hannity programme.

Despite the announcement, Boeing’s stock dropped by 4.1% during Thursday’s trading session...

Turkish actress Hande Ercel has officially ended her professional relationship with her long-time stylist Inan Kirdemir. The television star recently stepped out at the Cannes Film Festival sporting a fresh look curated by a brand new fashion expert.

Reports suggest that the sudden split stems from a significant disagreement regarding an upcoming Saint Laurent fashion show. The luxury brand was reportedly looking to invite a prominent Turkish celebrity to their event. Kirdemir pitched both Ercel and fellow actress Serenay Sarikaya to the label. Ultimately, the fashion house concluded that Sarikaya was a better match for their specific style, target...

Sydney Sweeney and music executive Scooter Braun have given fans an intimate look into their romantic Australian holiday. The 28-year-old Euphoria star and her 44-year-old beau appeared completely smitten in a newly released Instagram video montage packed with public displays of affection.

Basking in the sunshine, the couple can be seen looking totally loved up across various holiday clips. The footage begins with a picturesque sunset walk along the beach before Braun showers the actress with kisses.

The pair are later filmed dancing closely together and getting cosy in front of the camera at a luxurious villa. Other moments featured...

Russia’s parliament has approved a controversial new law allowing President Vladimir Putin to deploy the military abroad to protect Russian citizens facing arrest or prosecution by foreign courts.

The legislation, passed by the State Duma in its second and third readings, expands the Kremlin’s authority to use armed forces outside Russia in cases involving «foreign or international judicial bodies» that Moscow does not recognize. Officials said the measure is aimed at protecting Russians from what they describe as politically motivated prosecutions abroad.

Under the new law, Russian state agencies would also be required to take additional measures to...

King Charles III faced anti-monarchy protests linked to Prince Andrew’s scandal as he travelled to Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday.

Demonstrators from the campaign group Republic gathered along the royal procession route holding signs reading «Did you know?» — a reference to allegations surrounding Andrew’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Protesters demanded greater transparency from the royal family and called for a parliamentary inquiry into what senior royals knew about the scandal.

The protests come amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor following his arrest earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in...

Saudi Arabia secretly launched retaliatory strikes against Iran during the recent regional conflict, marking a major escalation in Gulf involvement in the war, according to multiple reports citing Western and regional officials.

The covert attacks reportedly came after Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted Saudi oil facilities, infrastructure and military sites earlier this year. Riyadh had initially attempted to stay out of the conflict sparked by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear program, but later responded militarily as Iranian attacks intensified across the Gulf.

According to reports, Iranian officials warned Gulf states that further cooperation with attacks...

Paris Jackson has secured a major legal victory in her ongoing dispute with the executors of her late father Michael Jackson’s estate, intensifying a long-running family feud over the singer’s fortune.

A Los Angeles judge ruled that $625,000 in bonus payments made by estate executors John Branca and John McClain to outside law firms in 2018 must be returned to the estate. The court also said Paris Jackson could seek reimbursement for her legal costs.

Michael Jackson’s daughter has accused the estate’s management of lacking transparency and prioritizing excessive legal payouts over the interests of Jackson’s children. Representatives...