News

The World Bank has approved a $10.6 mln grant to help Uzbekistan reduce leaks in its ageing gas transmission system, recover lost gas, and boost energy security.

Uzbekistan’s gas network has suffered years of underinvestment, risking losses of 1.75 bn cubic metres and $228 mln in revenue by 2030.

The project, funded through the World Bank’s Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Trust Fund, will repair major leaks across the state-owned JSC Uztransgaz network. By 2029, it is expected to recover 47,500 metric tonnes of gas annually and save $18 mln, with most funds reinvested into ongoing repairs.

The initiative...

The Academy Awards delivered a night of major wins and industry announcements, with One Battle After Another emerging as the biggest winner while organisers confirmed the ceremony will move to global streaming on YouTube from 2029.

The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, collected six awards including best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay. Acting honours went to Jessie Buckley for Hamnet and Michael B Jordan for Sinners.

The ceremony was hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, who returned after presenting the show for the first time last year.

Major winners

Kimi Antonelli claimed his first Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, becoming the second-youngest race winner in F1 history after Max Verstappen.

The 19-year-old Mercedes driver converted his maiden Grand Prix pole into victory after a composed drive in a chaotic race that featured early incidents, a Safety Car, and intense battles behind him.

Antonelli crossed the line seven seconds ahead of teammate George Russell, securing a dominant Mercedes one-two finish, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton completed the podium.

Kimi ? Lewis

Hugs all round for the first-time race winner! ?#F1 #ChineseGP

North Korea fired more than 10 ballistic missiles into the sea on Saturday, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, as joint military exercises involving the United States and South Korea continued in the region.

The missiles were launched from an area near Pyongyang at around 13:20 local time towards waters off the country’s east coast.

Japan Coast Guard said it had detected what may have been a ballistic missile that landed in the sea, though it appeared to fall outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, according to NHK.

North Korea has conducted missile tests for more than two...

A long-running investigation by Reuters suggests the real identity of elusive street artist Banksy may be David Jones.

According to the report, the artist previously used the name Robin Gunningham before changing it several years ago. Speculation about Banksy’s identity has circulated for decades. In 2008 the British newspaper The Mail on Sunday reported that the artist could be Gunningham.

Reuters journalists said they examined photographs, police records and court documents linked to early arrests in the United States. They also traced information about a trip the artist reportedly made to Ukraine in 2022.

The agency said it also spoke...

Brazilian scientists have identified a new species of giant dinosaur, named Dasosaurus tocantinensis, which shows a close link to a similar species found in Spain. The discovery adds evidence that land routes once connected parts of South America, Africa and Europe around 120 mln years ago.

The fossils, found in 2021 near Davinopolis in Brazil’s northeastern Maranhao during infrastructure work, include a femur measuring 1.5 metres, suggesting the dinosaur was about 20 metres long.

Researchers, led by Elver Mayer of the Federal University of the Sao Francisco Valley, say Dasosaurus tocantinensis is one of the largest ever discovered in...

Donald Trump has warned that the United States could strike oil infrastructure on Kharg Island if Iran does not halt attacks on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a social media post, the U.S. president said American forces had already «totally obliterated» military targets on the island, which handles about 90% of Iran’s oil exports and lies roughly 500 kilometres northwest of the strait. However he said the oil facilities themselves had not been targeted.

Trump warned that decision could change if Iran or any other actor interfered with what he called the free and safe passage...

Kimi Antonelli produced a stunning performance in Shanghai to take pole position for the Grand Prix, becoming the youngest-ever pole sitter at just 19 years old.

The qualifying session was dramatic from the start, with track temperatures soaring from 14°C during the Sprint to 32°C for Qualifying, challenging tyre management and grip.

Q1 Drama

The first segment saw no real surprises as Williams, Aston Martin, and Cadillac lost both cars. Nico Hulkenberg narrowly missed out on advancing, while Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and Valtteri Bottas were eliminated alongside Lance Stroll, Alex Albon, and Sergio Perez.

Q2 Tensions

The first charter cargo flight between Uzbekistan and Pakistan was completed on March 2, according to UzAirports.

The inaugural flight was operated by Pakistani airline Air Eagle at the initiative of charter operator Air Speed Charter.

A Boeing 737 departed from Lahore and landed at Tashkent International Airport at 21:10 local time. The aircraft carried a shipment of food products, including 17 tonnes of meat.

Authorities say cargo volumes on the route are expected to grow gradually. In the future a single flight could transport up to 100 tonnes of goods.

From economics and politics to business, technology and...

Nearly 70% of women surveyed in Eastern Europe and Central Asia say they experienced some form of mistreatment during childbirth, according to a new report by the United Nations Population Fund.

The report, Respectful Maternity Care: Women’s Experiences and Outlooks in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, highlights what researchers describe as a widespread but often overlooked problem of obstetric violence that undermines women’s rights and dignity.

The findings are based on an online survey of more than 2,600 women who recently gave birth across 16 countries and territories. The study was carried out by UNFPA together with the pregnancy...

Scientists warn glaciers in the Austrian Alps are not only shrinking but beginning to break apart as climate change accelerates ice loss.

A new report from the Austrian Alpine Club found that 94 of the 96 glaciers measured over the past year have retreated in length, area and volume.

«Many glaciers are not only shrinking in length but are increasingly entering a phase of structural disintegration,» said Andreas Kellerer-Pirklbauer of the University of Graz.

The largest losses were recorded at the Alpeiner Ferner in Tyrol, which shrank by 114.3 metres, and the Stubacher Sonnblickkees...

George Russell claimed victory in the opening Sprint race of the Formula 1 season at the Shanghai International Circuit after an intense fight with Lewis Hamilton in the early laps.

Here's how the race start unfolded, with Russell initially retaining the lead! ??#F1Sprint #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/t9E4skaWVh

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2026

Starting from pole, the Mercedes driver had to battle hard with the Ferrari of Hamilton, who briefly took the lead several times during the opening exchanges. Russell ultimately broke clear once he managed to build a gap and controlled the race...

Harry Styles has secured his third UK number one album with Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally, according to the Official Charts Company.

The album sold more than 183,000 copies in its first week following its release last Friday, comfortably surpassing the opening performance of Styles’ previous record Harry’s House, which sold 113,000 copies in 2022.

Around 66,000 of the sales came from vinyl records, making it the biggest physical release of the year so far.

Mixed reviews from critics

The strong commercial debut came despite mixed reviews from critics. The Telegraph said the album had «all the...

Bitcoin moved toward the $74,000 level on Thursday, reaching its highest levels in five weeks as fresh U.S. inflation data boosted risk assets across financial markets.

The rally followed the latest reading of the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, the preferred inflation gauge of the Federal Reserve. The index rose 0.3% month-on-month and 3.1% year-on-year, in line with market expectations, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The data helped lift both crypto and stock markets, with U.S. equities gaining around 0.5% during Thursday’s trading session. Bitcoin climbed to nearly $74,000, while also reclaiming its 50-day moving average...

FIFA has reaffirmed its support for Mexico as a host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs, releasing tickets for four inter-confederation playoff matches scheduled later this month.

The matches will take place in the cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey, where two final spots in the tournament will be decided.

Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron will host Pathway 1, featuring teams from Jamaica, New Caledonia and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Meanwhile, Estadio BBVA in Monterrey will stage Pathway 2, with Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq competing for qualification.

The playoffs will determine the final teams for the 2026 tournament...

Police in Raipur have registered a criminal case against two women from Uzbekistan who were found staying illegally at a local hotel.

According to authorities, the women were discovered during a police raid at Hotel Arena Boutique following intelligence reports about foreign nationals residing in the city without proper documentation.

The women were detained on January 9 after officers determined their stay violated provisions of the Foreigners Act. Following their arrest, they were transferred to a detention facility located within Raipur Central Jail.

Police confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed after a two-month investigation...

Uzbekistan’s state energy company Uzbekneftegaz and Switzerland-based Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. have discussed potential new investment projects and cooperation in international energy trading.

The talks took place during a meeting between Uzbekneftegaz Chairman Abdugani Sanginov and Mercuria’s Regional Head for Central Asia Andrey Rudenko.

According to Uzbekneftegaz, the sides explored opportunities to expand the marketing of petroleum and natural gas on international markets, introduce modern trading mechanisms and exchange expertise in the energy sector.

Following the meeting, both companies agreed to continue cooperation and jointly assess promising investment initiatives in the oil and gas industry.

Headquartered in Geneva...

A panel discussion titled «Middle Corridor and Eurasian Connection Gateway» took place during the 13th Global Baku Forum, focusing on strengthening transport and economic links between Asia and Europe.

The session was moderated by former Serbian President Boris Tadic.

Abdulaziz Kamilov, adviser to the president of Uzbekistan on foreign policy, described the growing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Central Asian states as a historically significant strategic process. He noted that meetings between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Central Asian leaders play a key role in expanding cooperation in trade, economic development and energy.

Chairman of the Council of Elders...

Large fires at oil depots and refineries in Tehran have released massive amounts of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, raising concerns about air quality across parts of Central and South Asia.

According to the Conflict and Environment Observatory, the fires could pose significant short- and long-term health risks for more than nine million residents of the Iranian capital.

Authorities have already issued air quality alerts in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, while pollution could also spread to western Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Environmental expert Mikdat Kadioglu from Istanbul Technical University warned that pollutant clouds capable of...

Iran has launched a new barrage of missiles targeting the Dubai International Financial Centre in the United Arab Emirates, as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate.

Authorities in Dubai said the strike caused minor damage and no reported injuries, although smoke was seen rising from the city’s central financial district following the attack.

The latest strikes come after the United States and Israel reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, during a military operation referred to as Operation Epic Fury. In response, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks across several parts of the Middle...

Archaeologists say they have likely located the site of «Alexandria on the Tigris,» a long-lost city founded by Alexander the Great more than 2,300 years ago.

The settlement is believed to lie in southern Iraq near the Persian Gulf, where it once served as a major port connecting ancient Mesopotamia with maritime trade routes across the Gulf.

Founded in the 4th century BC, the city was one of several settlements established by Alexander during his campaign to build an empire stretching from Greece to India. While cities such as Alexandria became world-famous for landmarks like its lighthouse and...

Uzbekistan showcased its tourism potential and sought new global partnerships during ITB Berlin 2026, one of the world’s largest tourism exhibitions.

The event, held in Berlin, attracted more than 170,000 participants and around 5,800 companies from 170 countries, bringing together leaders from the travel, hospitality and tourism technology sectors.

Uzbekistan’s national pavilion featured more than 20 tourism companies, airlines and hotels, presenting the country’s cultural heritage, historic cities and modern tourism infrastructure. The stand highlighted attractions along the Silk Road, as well as opportunities in gastronomic, adventure and cultural tourism.

Major industry players including Uzbekistan Airways, Centrum Air...

Pakistan bombed a fuel depot of private airline Kam Air near Kandahar airport and struck residential areas in Kabul and Nangarhar province on Friday, the ruling Taliban said, escalating the neighbours’ worst conflict in years despite Chinese attempts at mediation.

The overnight strikes killed six people, including children, and injured more than a dozen.

Government spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid condemned the attacks and vowed they «will not go unanswered.» The targeted depot supplies fuel to civilian airlines and United Nations aircraft, raising fears of wider hostilities in a region already affected by the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The strikes come...

Police in Seoul said they will implement maximum security measures for a concert by BTS at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, citing concerns over a potential terrorist threat amid rising tensions in the Middle East and deteriorating global security conditions.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it will mobilise extensive resources to address terrorism risks around the venue near City Hall in central Seoul, where more than 200,000 fans are expected to gather.

Authorities also warned they will take strict action against false threats.

«If a bomb threat is reported on the day of...