News

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is targeting an ambitious expansion across Central Asia and the Caucasus with plans under discussion to host events in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia by 2027.

According to a report by Russian news agency TASS, citing a source close to the negotiations, high-level talks are already underway. An official delegation from Uzbekistan recently met with top UFC executives to discuss bringing the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion to Tashkent.

“An Uzbek delegation met with UFC leadership,” the source revealed. “A tournament for the organisation is being discussed, alongside...

Uzbekistan and South Korea are set to revolutionise their public sectors by integrating artificial intelligence into government administration and emergency management systems. The strategic agreements were reached during a recent visit to Tashkent by South Korean Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung, according to reports from Yonhap.

During high-level talks with Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov the South Korean minister outlined his nation’s successful transition towards an AI-based democratic government model. The two officials extensively discussed leveraging advanced technology and data analytics to drastically improve national emergency response frameworks.

A new era of digital governance

Broadening their...

Italian supercar manufacturer Ferrari has parted ways with its long-serving marketing director just weeks after the turbulent unveiling of its first fully electric vehicle. The radical new model, known as the Luce, has sparked intense debate among purists and investors alike.

Enrico Galliera is leaving his post after 16 years with the Maranello-based marque. While Ferrari has not officially linked his sudden departure to the frosty reception of the Luce EV, media analysts suggest the timing is impossible to ignore. However, an official company statement claimed Galliera “has decided to embark on a new chapter in his professional journey...

Paris Fashion Week is once again dominating the style calendar as the menswear Spring/Summer 2027 collections take over the French capital. Among the A-listers flocking to the City of Light is Heated Rivalry actor Connor Storrie who has returned to make another splash at the highly anticipated Saint Laurent showcase.

As an official ambassador for the luxury French house, the actor turned heads as he stepped out in a dramatic tailored trench coat pulled directly from Saint Laurent’s winter 2026 runway (look 31). He paired the statement outerwear with a daring mesh tank top underneath, perfectly capturing creative director...

Fabio Cannavaro has shielded his players from criticism after Uzbekistan suffered a bruising 5-0 defeat against Portugal in World Cup Group K. Despite the heavy loss in Houston on Tuesday the Italian manager is adamant that his debutant side will grow from the bitter lesson.

The Central Asian nation is currently on the verge of an early tournament exit. Having already fallen to a 3-1 defeat against Colombia they now face a must-win clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo this Saturday to keep their faint hopes of reaching the round of 32 alive.

Facing the press the 2006 World...

According to reports from Metro, a spectacular swap deal could be on the horizon as Atletico Madrid and Arsenal consider trading their star forwards. The proposed exchange would see Argentine sensation Julian Alvarez make his way to North London while Swedish goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres heads to the Spanish capital.

The hierarchy at the Madrid club believe Gyokeres fits the mould of a classic centre-forward perfectly suited to their tactical demands. Securing the Swede would likely trigger the departure of Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth who is currently tracking interest from Italian heavyweights Juventus and Napoli.

Meanwhile, Alvarez is eager for...

England missed the opportunity to secure an early place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being held to a goalless draw by Ghana in a tightly contested Group L encounter.

Despite dominating possession and spending long periods in the Ghanaian half, Thomas Tuchel‘s side struggled to find a way through a disciplined defensive performance from the Black Stars. The result leaves England at the top of the group on four points, while Ghana remain firmly in contention for a place in the next round.

The match lacked clear-cut opportunities for much of the first half...

England remain on course for the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout rounds despite being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana in their second Group L match.

Thomas Tuchel’s side currently sit top of the group with four points after opening the tournament with a 4-2 victory over Croatia. The stalemate against Ghana means England’s qualification is not yet secured, but the Three Lions remain in a strong position heading into their final group-stage fixture against Panama.

Under the tournament’s expanded 48-team format, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed...

Portugal laid down a massive marker at the 2026 World Cup by comprehensively dismantling Uzbekistan 5-0 in a heavily one-sided Group K encounter. Driven by a historic brace from Cristiano Ronaldo and a sensational free-kick by Nuno Mendes, Roberto Martinez’s men looked every bit the tournament favourites against a struggling opponent. The match in Houston highlighted the stark contrast in quality between the two nations.

First-half blitz and VAR heartbreak

The European giants wasted no time asserting their authority. In the seventh minute, Joao Cancelo fizzed a low ball into the penalty area for Ronaldo to guide a clinical...

Portugal have mercilessly extended their lead over Uzbekistan to 4-0 following a disastrous second-half own goal from defender Abdukodir Khusanov in their World Cup Group K encounter.

The damage was well and truly done before the half-time whistle. Cristiano Ronaldo cemented his legendary status by netting his 10th World Cup goal to become Portugal’s all-time top scorer in the competition. The veteran striker nearly secured a first-half hat-trick deep into stoppage time but saw his close-range effort hooked off the line by Khusanov.

Both managers shuffled their packs at the break. Roberto Martinez introduced Nelson Semedo and Francisco Conceição for...

A ruthless first-half performance saw Portugal tear through Uzbekistan to establish a commanding 3-0 lead in their World Cup Group K clash.

Roberto Martinez’s side wasted no time asserting their dominance against Fabio Cannavaro’s men. Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the seventh minute by ghosting behind the Uzbek defence to slot home a pinpoint cross from Joao Cancelo. Just ten minutes later Portugal doubled their advantage. Bypassing expectations of a trademark Ronaldo strike, Nuno Mendes stepped up to a dangerous free-kick and hammered a low shot into the bottom corner.

Uzbekistan struggled to cope with the relentless tempo but...

A historic strike from Cristiano Ronaldo and a piece of pure tactical genius from Nuno Mendes have put Portugal in complete control, opening up a commanding 2-0 lead over Uzbekistan within the first 18 minutes of their World Cup Group K encounter.

Just a day after Lionel Messi claimed the title of top scorer in World Cup history, Ronaldo carved out a legendary milestone of his own. In the sixth minute, the Portuguese captain met a cross with an emphatic, resounding strike that flew off his boot to break the deadlock. The goal ensures Ronaldo becomes the first player to...

Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his doubters, turning home a sixth-minute opener to cap off an electric start for Portugal in their World Cup Group K match against Uzbekistan.

The European giants raced out of the blocks from the opening whistle in Houston, pinning Fabio Cannavaro’s side deep inside their own half and dominating the early exchanges.

Portugal signaled their attacking intent within the opening two minutes when Bruno Fernandes drove forward to whip a dangerous ball into the penalty area, forcing an immediate clearance from the Uzbek backline. Just sixty seconds later, the Manchester United playmaker orchestrating the midfield created space...

The anticipation has reached fever pitch as Uzbekistan prepares for its highly anticipated second-round Group K fixture at the 2026 World Cup. Facing off against European heavyweights Portugal later today, 23 June, the White Wolves have officially unveiled the starting eleven tasked with delivering a shock result on the global stage.

Under the tactical guidance of Italian football legend Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan faces a stern test. The 2006 World Cup-winning captain has opted for a pragmatic blend of seasoned leadership and dynamic youth to counter the traditional dominance of the Portuguese side.

The full starting lineup tasked with taking the...

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Pakistan’s top leadership in Islamabad on Tuesday as Tehran and Washington continue negotiations aimed at turning a recent ceasefire agreement into a broader long-term deal.

During the visit, Pezeshkian held talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials, thanking Pakistan for its role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States. Islamabad has emerged as a key mediator in recent diplomatic efforts and helped broker talks that produced a roadmap toward a final agreement within 60 days.

The visit comes as negotiators continue discussions on sanctions relief, nuclear issues...

Miami police have taken a tougher approach toward Scotland’s travelling supporters, known as the “Tartan Army,” ahead of the team’s World Cup match against Brazil.

The move follows an incident involving a Scottish fan who attempted to place a traffic cone on a statue in downtown Miami, a long-running tradition associated with Scottish football supporters. Police quickly intervened, warning the fan and ordering him to climb down.

The reaction contrasted sharply with the reception Scotland fans received in Boston earlier in the tournament, where local authorities and residents embraced many of the group’s traditions. In Miami, however, police...

Oracle has reduced its workforce by approximately 21,000 employees over the past year as the technology giant ramps up investments in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. The cuts represent about 13% of the company’s global workforce.

The job reductions were disclosed in Oracle’s latest annual filing and were linked to restructuring efforts, organizational changes and the growing use of AI technologies across the business. The company’s headcount fell from about 162,000 employees to 141,000.

The move comes as Oracle aggressively expands its AI and cloud operations. The company plans to spend around $70 billion on capital expenditures this...

A sharp selloff in technology stocks threatened to erase more than $1 trillion from the Nasdaq-100’s market value on Tuesday, as investors grew increasingly concerned about high valuations and heavy spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Nasdaq-100 futures fell nearly 3%, while major chipmakers led the decline. Shares of Micron, AMD, Intel and other semiconductor companies dropped sharply as investors reassessed growth expectations for the AI sector.

SpaceX, one of the market’s newest and most closely watched listings, extended its post-IPO losses. The company’s shares fell about 2% on Tuesday, bringing its valuation below the $2 trillion mark and...

On the Republican Stock Exchange “Tashkent” (RSE), shares of Uzbekcoal (Uzbekugol) posted the strongest growth between June 12 and June 19, rising from 9,100 soums to 15,998.98 soums, an increase of 75.81%. During the same period, the UCI stock index fell by 2.3%.

At the same time, the biggest decline was recorded by shares of Kashkadarya Technological Transport, which dropped by 10.03%. According to the stock exchange, the company’s shares fell from 289 soums on June 12 to 260.01 soums on June 19, marking the steepest decline among the securities included in the review.

Shares of Kvarts also declined significantly...

On June 23, Octobank celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century journey from a traditional financial institution to one of Uzbekistan’s fastest-growing digital financial ecosystems.

Today, Octobank serves more than 3.6 million customers, works with over 15,000 companies, and maintains an international partnership network spanning 55 countries.

New phase of growth after rebranding

The bank’s rebranding became a starting point for accelerated development. Over the past three years, Octobank has strengthened its market position and delivered steady growth while pursuing a digital transformation strategy.

One of its key achievements was reporting a record net profit of more than...

Apple has rolled out iOS 27 Beta 2 to developers, introducing additional artificial intelligence features and improvements to messaging, as the company continues testing its next major iPhone software update.

The latest beta focuses heavily on Siri. One of the key additions is “Write with Siri,” a new AI-powered writing tool that allows users to draft, edit and rewrite text directly through Apple’s upgraded virtual assistant. Apple is also preparing an “Expressive Voice” feature designed to make Siri sound more natural and conversational.

Apple has also expanded support for Rich Communication Services (RCS), bringing features such as inline...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has taken part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an IT Park in New Namangan, a new urban district in the Davlatabad region of Namangan.

Speaking at the event, the president said the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, along with the creation of high-income jobs, remains one of the key priorities of Uzbekistan’s reform agenda.

The IT Park is part of a broader $117 mln project being implemented with Chinese partners to build technology hubs in six regions of the country, including Namangan, Samarkand, Chirchik, Nurafshan, Urgench and Navoi. The New...

Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Khusanov has reflected on his team’s match against Colombia and shared his expectations for the upcoming clash with Portugal, according to Championat.Asia.

The Uzbek international said the team put in a tremendous effort and fought until the final minutes in an attempt to change the course of the game.

“We worked very hard against Colombia. We scored our first goal and leveled the score, then tried to find a second goal. We felt that we could do it and kept pushing forward. Unfortunately, we were unable to convert our...

Data from the Statistics Agency shows that the total number of registered electric vehicles in Uzbekistan reached 109,200 by the beginning of April. The distribution of these vehicles remains concentrated in the capital, though registration numbers are growing across other regions.

Tashkent accounts for the largest share of the national fleet, with more than 79,800 registered vehicles. The Tashkent region follows with 8,200 electric cars, while the Samarkand region has 4,500 units. Registrations in the Khorezm and Kashkadarya regions stand at 3,000 and 2,600 respectively.

Outside these areas, the Fergana region leads with 2,200 registered electric vehicles, followed by...