News

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...

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has shared his pre-match nerves ahead of the national football team’s crucial World Cup fixture against Portugal tonight.

Speaking candidly to journalists, the head of state revealed that the magnitude of the tournament is keeping him awake.

“I don’t know if you are sleeping or not. Personally, I have no time for sleep today, I am worried, thinking about the upcoming game,” he confessed.

However, Mirziyoyev emphasised that simply participating in the tournament is a historic achievement for the nation.

“But we have already won our...

A Brazilian woman has been handed a suspended prison sentence and is scheduled for deportation from South Korea after engaging in a severe stalking campaign against BTS superstar Jungkook.

The Seoul Western District Court delivered its verdict on May 8, 2026. Judge Park Ji-won sentenced the unidentified foreign national to one year in prison, suspended for two years, on charges of trespassing and violating the nation’s Stalking Punishment Act.

The dark side of global superstardom

The distressing legal case unfolds while the 28-year-old singer and his bandmates are currently travelling the globe for their massive “Arirang” world tour...

Following a lengthy period of intense rumour and speculation, the Milwaukee Bucks have officially parted ways with their franchise cornerstone. “The Greek Freak” is heading to the Miami Heat in a monumental trade that fundamentally reshapes the NBA landscape.

ESPN insider Shams Charania has been tracking the situation closely since the trade deadline, noting that the dynamic between the player and the franchise had been playing out for the past year.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had reportedly informed the Bucks’ management that he believed it was time for a fresh start. This prompted the organisation to aggressively field the best available...

Clive Davis, the towering industry figure who masterminded the ascent of several legendary record labels, died at his Manhattan residence on Monday. The 94-year-old music mogul had recently received hospital treatment for respiratory complications, though a specific cause of death remains unconfirmed.

Born in Brooklyn in 1932, the Harvard-educated lawyer initially entered the business through the legal department of CBS. He quickly ascended the corporate ladder to lead Columbia Records by the late 1960s. Possessing an extraordinary ear for talent, he completely transformed the conservative pop imprint by embracing the burgeoning rock movement.

After experiencing the Monterey Pop Festival...

Uzbekistan national football team manager Fabio Cannavaro has stressed that his squad will be facing a comprehensive threat when they line up against Portugal, warning his players not to focus solely on the famous Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated fixture, the Italian tactician acknowledged the undeniable danger posed by the veteran Portuguese forward while highlighting the sheer depth of their upcoming opponents.

“He is one of the greatest footballers in history but Portugal is not only Ronaldo,” Cannavaro stated. “They have a lot of high-level players both in the starting line-up and...

Big Hit Music announced on Tuesday that the fifth studio album from BTS, Arirang, has secured a spot on several mid-year ‘best of’ lists compiled by prominent music media outlets across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Rolling Stone magazine highlighted the record in its roundup of “The Best Albums of 2026 So Far”. The publication described the band’s highly anticipated comeback as the “biggest news” of the year and praised the seven-member group for showcasing their Korean heritage through the stellar new release.

Similarly, the British music outlet NME commended the album for perfectly capturing the essence...

The management company for Big Bang star Daesung officially denied online dating rumours on Monday that linked the singer to Kara member Hur Young-ji.

Addressing the speculation, RND Company released a statement clarifying that the pair are simply “close colleagues”. An official from the agency explained that the two entertainers developed a friendship through Daesung’s popular YouTube series Zip Daesung and decided to attend a recent concert together.

The dating rumours first emerged on the internet on Monday. Fans began speculating after photographs of the duo at Mamamoo’s “4WARD” world tour gig on Saturday started gaining traction online. Notably...

Portugal have completely shrugged off the mounting criticism following their 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening World Cup fixture. Manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that the squad is more united than ever as they prepare for their crucial second Group K clash against Uzbekistan.

Despite dominating possession and controlling the ball against the African side, Portugal managed a mere seven shots. A sixth-minute header from Joao Neves proved to be their only effort on target during the entire match.

Following the lacklustre performance, Martinez acknowledged that his team started brightly but lost their structure...

Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in the second round of the FIFA World Cup group stage. The match’s standout performer was Lionel Messi, who scored twice and increased his tally to 18 goals at World Cup tournaments.

Messi opens the scoring and sets a record

Argentina started the match aggressively and earned a penalty early on. However, Messi failed to convert the spot kick in the 10th minute.

Despite the miss, Lionel Scaloni’s side continued to dominate. In the 38th minute, Medina delivered a low cross into the penalty area, Almada let the ball run through, and Messi finished first-time...

British low-cost airline easyJet has rejected a £4.7 bn hostile takeover proposal from U.S. investment firm Castlelake, which has gone public with its bid after three unsuccessful approaches to the airline’s board.

Castlelake’s latest all-cash offer values easyJet at 625 pence per share, representing a significant premium to the airline’s share price before takeover speculation emerged. The investment firm said it decided to make the proposal public so shareholders could assess the offer before a June 26 deadline for a formal bid.

easyJet’s board unanimously rejected the proposal, describing it as “opportunistic” and arguing that it undervalues the airline’s long-term...

Severe weather conditions could cause major disruptions to Monday’s World Cup clash between Norway and Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with forecasters warning of heavy rain, flash flooding and strong winds.

According to weather forecasts, rain is expected to intensify throughout the day, with thunderstorms potentially bringing wind gusts of up to 50 mph. Authorities have also warned that rainfall rates could reach 1-2 inches per hour, raising the risk of localized flooding across parts of New York City and northern New Jersey.

New York City officials have urged fans to monitor weather updates and avoid...

On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, invading the Soviet Union and opening one of the deadliest chapters in human history. For millions of Soviet citizens, the war began before dawn. For Uzbekistan, then part of the USSR, it marked the start of a national ordeal that would touch nearly every family.

Although the fighting never reached Uzbek soil, the republic played a crucial role on both the front lines and the home front. More than 1.5 mln people from Uzbekistan were mobilized into the Red Army from a population of about 6.5 mln. Hundreds of thousands never...

England defender Djed Spence has played down a viral training-ground exchange in which manager Thomas Tuchel was seen shouting at him to “wake up” during a World Cup session.

The incident occurred at England’s training base in Kansas City ahead of the team’s Group L clash against Ghana. Video footage showed Tuchel yelling at the Tottenham full-back after he appeared slow to react during a passing drill, with the clip quickly spreading across social media.

Speaking after the session, Spence insisted there were no hard feelings and described the manager’s reaction as normal. The 25-year-old said Tuchel demands...

On June 22, 2026, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation following intense pressure from Labour MPs. Starmer’s departure comes less than two years after his landslide election victory.

He succumbed to mounting discontent within his party, a situation exacerbated by heavy local election losses and Andy Burnham‘s recent Makerfield by-election victory. Starmer intends to stay on as a caretaker until a new leader is chosen by September, while Burnham has already confirmed he will stand as a candidate to replace him.

The real constant: Larry the cat

While prime ministers come and go, one resident at...

The incident took place outside St Pancras International station in October 2025 after royal family members arrived on the Eurostar. Prosecutors said the thieves distracted the family’s chauffeur before stealing three suitcases containing valuable jewellery, including gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Most of the stolen items have not been recovered.

Two men, Abdel Aitkebir, 35, and Medhi Fatih, 41, were sentenced to prison after admitting their roles in the theft. Investigators said CCTV footage showed the pair positioning themselves near the family’s vehicle before carrying out the robbery.

The case also revealed messages from a wider theft network...

The 2026 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Chess Championships have officially concluded in Hong Kong, with the Uzbekistan national squad successfully securing third place in the highly competitive blitz discipline.

The Uzbek chess players delivered a strong performance to advance to the knockout stages of the tournament. In the quarter-finals, the team successfully overcame WR Chess to secure their spot in the next round. While they faced a tough defeat in the semi-finals against Dragon Chilling, the squad quickly bounced back. In the crucial playoff for third place, Uzbekistan confidently defeated the Hexamind Chess Team to claim the...

Uzbekistan took delivery of its third high-speed train manufactured by South Korean firm Hyundai Rotem on Monday June 22, the Ministry of Transport has announced.

The complex transport operation across the “South Korea–China–Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan” transit corridor was managed by the domestic freight company Temiryulkargo. The journey involved a combination of maritime, road and rail transport unified under a single logistical network to ensure direct door-to-door delivery from the manufacturer.

The arrival marks the exact halfway point of a major rail infrastructure upgrade. By the end of June, Uzbekistan will have received three of the six high-speed trains ordered under a...

The regional administration of Kashkadarya has confirmed the passing of Roziboy Sattorov. At 116 years of age, he was officially acknowledged as the oldest surviving Second World War veteran in Uzbekistan.

Roziboy Sattorov was among the 47,000 individuals drafted from the Kashkadarya region to fight on the frontlines during the global conflict. The human toll was devastating for the local communities, as only an estimated 22,000 of those regional conscripts managed to survive and return home.

Across the wider nation, historical records demonstrate the massive scale of Uzbekistan’s contribution to the war effort. Nearly two million residents were mobilised...

Wyndham Clark secured his second U.S. Open title in dramatic fashion on Sunday, completing a rare wire-to-wire victory at Shinnecock Hills. Despite struggling with the challenging course and an unusually hostile atmosphere, the American golfer managed to hold off a fierce late challenge from compatriot Sam Burns to clinch the trophy on Father’s Day.

Clark is only the ninth player in history to achieve a true wire-to-wire win at the tournament, maintaining the outright lead at the end of every round, and the first to do so since Martin Kaymer in 2014.

A nerve-wracking final round

The...