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In 2025, the number of transactions in Uzbekistan’s real estate market reached 319.5 thousand, showing an annual increase of 15.8%, according to a report by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan.

By the end of the fourth quarter of last year, the figure reached 89.7 thousand purchase and sale transactions, marking a year-on-year increase of 24.5%.

As the regulator noted, the growth in real estate market activity was driven by the expansion of mortgage financing and rising incomes of Uzbekistan’s population. Over the past year, the volume of loans issued for housing purchases reached 21.2 trillion soums, increasing by 29% compared...

The number of real estate transactions in Uzbekistan reached 319,500 in 2025, marking a 15.8% increase year on year, according to the Central Bank.

In the fourth quarter alone, 89,700 property deals were recorded, up 24.5% compared with the same period a year earlier. The regulator attributed the growth in market activity to an expansion in mortgage lending and rising household incomes.

Over the year, housing loans totalled 21.2 trln soums ($1.7 bn), a 29% increase from 2024.

Housing supply also expanded, with 15.9 mln square metres of residential property completed in 2025, up 7.2% year on year. Khorezm...

Turkish actress Hande Ercel has returned to Turkey and given a statement at Istanbul’s Palace of Justice as part of an ongoing drug investigation, according to Sabah.

After providing testimony, she left the courthouse. The case reportedly involves 16 individuals, some of whom have already been detained by police, including former Besiktas club president Fikret Orman.

Investigators believe the suspects attended private gatherings hosted by businessman Kasim Garipoglu, where drugs were allegedly used and sex workers were present.

Prior to her return, Ercel said she had learned about the case through media reports but expressed her willingness to...

Actor Taylor Lautner, best known for playing Jacob in the Twilight film series, has announced that he and his wife are expecting their first child.

The actor shared the news on Instagram, posting a series of photos with his wife along with ultrasound images. He captioned the post: «What could be better than two Taylor Lautners.»

Lautner revealed in 2018 that he was in a relationship with nurse Taylor Dome...

Oscar Piastri claimed the fastest lap in the second practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix, with the McLaren driver edging out the Mercedes duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

After Mercedes led a 1-2 in Friday morning’s FP1, the field returned to Suzuka for FP2 at 15:00 local time. Fernando Alonso made his first track appearance of the weekend, having handed his car to Third Driver Jak Crawford during the opening session.

Early Drama and Technical Issues

Lewis Hamilton was among the first out as the session began, with most drivers running medium tyres while...

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko presented North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with a rifle during the signing of a friendship treaty in Pyongyang, according to state media reports.

The leaders, both vocal supporters of Russia’s war in Ukraine, pledged to strengthen cooperation and resist Western pressure.

In a lighthearted moment, Lukashenko told Kim that he brought an automatic rifle “just in case enemies appear”, a video released by Belarusian state media shows. Kim, in turn, gifted Lukashenko a sword and a vase adorned with his portrait.

Lukashenko told Kim:

“I can tell you as a...

The Chimgan mountain resort in Uzbekistan has entered the final stage of its transformation into a four-season destination. Two years after the project began under French industrial group MND, construction is now at a decisive point, aiming to establish one of Central Asia’s first year-round mountain leisure resorts.

Major Construction Milestones Reached

All necessary studies and permits have been approved, and over two-thirds of the equipment has been produced and shipped to Uzbekistan. Of around 300 planned logistics convoys, nearly 200 have left MND’s Savoy factories, with deliveries continuing into spring. Construction has continued throughout winter despite challenging...

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could reduce economic growth in developing Asia and the Pacific by up to 1.3 percentage points in 2026–2027, while pushing inflation up by 3.2 points if energy disruptions persist for more than a year, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The bank said the impact would be felt through higher energy prices, disrupted supply chains and trade, and tighter financial conditions. Tourism and remittance flows may also be affected.

Growth Risks and Inflation Pressures

An ADB briefing outlines several scenarios, noting that the scale of the impact will depend largely...

Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emomali Rahmon officially opened the new building of Tajikistan’s embassy in Tashkent during Rahmon’s state visit.

The two leaders cut a ceremonial ribbon before touring the diplomatic complex, including administrative offices, consular facilities, the ambassador’s residence and housing for staff and their families. They later signed the book of honour and planted trees on the embassy grounds.

The ceremony followed the first meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council in Tashkent, where more than 15 agreements, roadmaps and memorandums were signed.

Both presidents also approved a joint statement aimed at strengthening strategic partnership and allied...

Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emomali Rahmon held the first meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council in Tashkent, concluding with the signing of more than 15 agreements, roadmaps and memorandums.

The two leaders approved a joint statement aimed at deepening strategic partnership and allied relations between their countries. The agreements cover cooperation across trade, industry and healthcare, as well as the introduction of digital systems to verify the origin of goods.

Both sides also reached agreements on coordinating radio frequencies in border areas, updating arrangements related to a joint investment company and working together on the «E-Permit» system.

Plans for...

George Russell set the pace in the opening practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix, edging out his Mercedes team mate Kimi Antonelli, while reigning champion Lando Norris finished third.

Drivers returned to action at the challenging Suzuka Circuit following consecutive races in Australia and China, with teams focusing on gathering data on the latest generation of cars. Early running saw Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc trade benchmark lap times as most opted for hard tyres.

Russell soon moved to the top of the timesheets, though conditions proved tricky. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar reported issues after a moment of...

The Italy national team defeated Northern Ireland 2:0 in Bergamo. Before the break, the favorites struggled, but then Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean decided the outcome of the match.

Italy searched for chances for a long time

Italy controlled the initiative from the first minutes and attacked активно through the flanks. At the same time, the visitors defended compactly and made almost no mistakes. Federico Dimarco, Alessandro Bastoni and Kean created pressure, but Bailey Peacock-Farrell kept a clean sheet.

Northern Ireland responded rarely, but dangerously from set pieces. Moreover, the hosts at times faced familiar finishing problems. Therefore, the first...

The Swedes played pragmatically, and a brace from Viktor Gyokeres became the key factor.

Sweden punished mistakes

At first, Ukraine controlled possession but lacked sharpness. At the same time, Sweden relied on counterattacks. As a result, the first goal came quickly. Gyokeres finished a cross from the flank and put his team ahead.

Then the Ukrainians tried to respond through the wings. However, crosses did not bring results. Moreover, the Swedes acted confidently in defense and did not allow space.

Gyökeres extended the lead

After the break, Ukraine pushed forward more actively. However, they immediately conceded a second goal. Gyokeres...

Brazil — France ended 1:2. France converted their chances and held onto the lead. Despite the sending-off of Dayot Upamecano, the team maintained its advantage. Brazil applied strong pressure after the break but failed to save the match.

France opened the scoring and controlled the game

At first, France took the initiative and played on the front foot. Then the team created several chances near the goal. Eventually, Mbappé went one-on-one and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.

After that, France began to play more pragmatically. Meanwhile, Brazil tried to respond through the flanks. However, they failed to equalize before...

Under the new policy, athletes’ eligibility will be determined through a one-time genetic screening test. The IOC said the measure is intended to ensure fairness and safety, particularly in sports involving strength and physical contact.

The ruling means transgender women will no longer be eligible to compete in the female category at Olympic events. The decision will also apply to athletes with certain differences in sexual development who have undergone male puberty.

According to the IOC, the presence of the SRY gene, linked to male biological development, will be used as a key criterion in determining eligibility.

IOC...

Western officials have raised alarm over growing military cooperation between Russia and Iran, warning that intelligence sharing and drone technology transfers could be fueling attacks on US interests and allies.

According to statements by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and several intelligence agencies, Moscow and Tehran are forming what has been described as an «axis of aggression.» The cooperation reportedly includes battlefield tactics developed during the war in Ukraine, as well as advanced drone capabilities.

The developments come amid rising geopolitical tensions, with conflicts involving Iran, Russia and Western-backed forces continuing to escalate across multiple regions.

At the...

As global conflicts intensify, experts are urging the public to understand basic safety measures in the event of a nuclear strike, amid growing concerns over escalating tensions between nuclear-armed states.

Currently, nine countries possess nuclear weapons, including the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and others. Ongoing conflicts in regions such as the Middle East and Eastern Europe have heightened fears of potential escalation involving such arsenals.

According to Kathryn Higley of Oregon State University, immediate actions following a nuclear blast can significantly improve chances of survival. She advises people to seek shelter indoors as quickly as...

A U.S. jury has ruled that Meta and YouTube are liable for harm caused by addictive features on their platforms, in a landmark decision that could reshape legal challenges against social media companies.

The case was brought by a 20-year-old plaintiff, identified as «KGM,» who argued that prolonged use of Instagram and YouTube from a young age contributed to serious mental health issues, including depression, body dysmorphia and suicidal thoughts.

Jurors found both companies negligent in the design and operation of their platforms and concluded they failed to adequately warn users about potential risks. Responsibility was split, with...

A Russian-linked oil tanker carrying a large cargo of crude oil was struck by an explosion in the Black Sea, sparking a major fire and raising concerns over escalating tensions in the region.

The vessel, identified as the Altura and sailing under a Sierra Leone flag, was reportedly hit by what authorities described as a powerful blast around 15 miles from the coast of a NATO member state, as it approached the Bosphorus.

According to initial reports, the tanker was transporting approximately 140,000 tonnes of oil loaded at the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The explosion caused damage to...

The Istanbul Prosecutor General’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for actress Hande Ercel, who starred in the series Sen Cal Kapimi («Love Is in the Air»), according to Turkish outlet Sabah.

The warrant was issued as part of an ongoing anti-drug investigation in Turkey that has been underway for several months. Reports indicate that 14 people have already been detained, including former Besiktas football club president Fikret Orman and former Galatasaray head Burak Elmas, among others.

They are suspected of drug production and trafficking, as well as the purchase and use of illegal substances.

Ercel...

Archaeologists believe they may have uncovered the remains of the famed musketeer d’Artagnan beneath a church, more than 350 years after his death, The Sun reports.

Experts suggest the skeleton could belong to Count d’Artagnan, whose real name was Charles de Batz de Castelmore. A trusted aide to King Louis XIV, he was killed during the Siege of Maastricht in 1673, reportedly after being struck in the chest by a musket ball.

The historical figure later inspired The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, where he was portrayed as a companion to the iconic trio.

For years, it had been...

The name of Hande Ercel has found itself at the center of a high-profile investigation in Turkey. On March 25, local media reported that the actress has been summoned for questioning in a case related to drugs. This is not about a verdict or an arrest, the Istanbul police is conducting a review and collecting testimonies from those involved.

What the allegations are about

According to the investigation, 16 people are involved in the case. Among them are billionaires Hakan Sabancı and Kerim Sabancı, former presidents of football clubs «Besiktas» and «Galatasaray,» former footballer Ferhat Aydın...

Max Verstappen refused to begin his media session ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix until a journalist he had previously clashed with left the room.

The four-time world champion halted proceedings at Red Bull’s hospitality unit in Suzuka, insisting that Giles Richards leave before he would answer any questions. Once the reporter exited, Verstappen continued the session as normal.

The tension dates back to last season, when Verstappen lost the title by two points to Lando Norris. During a media exchange in Abu Dhabi, Richards asked whether Verstappen regretted an incident at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he...

Leonid Radvinsky, the Ukrainian-American entrepreneur who transformed OnlyFans into a global digital platform, has died at the age of 43 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

His death was confirmed by OnlyFans in an official statement on March 23. The company said Radvinsky passed away peacefully, adding that his family has requested privacy.

Radvinsky acquired a majority stake in the platform’s parent company, Fenix International Limited, in 2018 and played a central role in reshaping its business model. Under his leadership, OnlyFans shifted toward a subscription-based system focused largely on adult content, driving rapid global growth.

The platform...