News

Soldiers were seen patrolling the streets of Kathmandu on Wednesday, September 10, as Nepal’s capital remained under indefinite curfew, following two days of violent anti-corruption protests that forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign, Reuters reports.

Deadly Clashes After Social Media Ban

The unrest, the worst in decades for the Himalayan nation, was triggered by a social media ban announced last week and later withdrawn after 19 people were killed on September 8, when police used tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators.

«We are trying to normalise the situation first,» army spokesman...

Apple has revealed the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max at its September event, introducing a fresh design, new chipsets, and big camera improvements.

The Pro models now feature a full-width rear camera module and a brushed aluminum unibody for better cooling. Both phones include a 48MP telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom, an upgraded 18MP front camera, and support for advanced video features such as ProRes RAW.

Inside, Apple’s new A19 Pro chip promises «MacBook Pro-level» performance, paired with in-house Wi-Fi 7 (N1) and C1X modem technology for faster, more reliable connections. A vapor chamber cooling system...

Lego has launched its most ambitious Star Wars set to date: a 9,023-piece Death Star model that towers over 2 feet tall and comes with a record-breaking 38 minifigures.

Part of the Ultimate Collector Series, the new Death Star recreates iconic scenes from A New Hope and Return of the Jedi. Fans will find detailed locations including the trash compactor, Leia’s cell block, Emperor Palpatine’s throne room, and the hangar bay with an Imperial Shuttle. Even Darth Vader’s meditation chamber and a tongue-in-cheek stormtrooper hot tub are included.

Collectors can also stage classic battles such as Darth Vader’s duel...

Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, calling it a «flagrant violation» of Qatari sovereignty.

In a statement posted on X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry denounced the «brutal Israeli aggression» and pledged full solidarity with Doha, offering support for any measures Qatar chooses to take.

The attack, dubbed «Summit of Fire,» targeted a building in Doha where Hamas officials were reportedly meeting over a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. Footage circulating online showed smoke rising from the bombed site in the Qatari capital, which has acted as a key mediator in Gaza truce negotiations.

Israeli media...

Energy giant Shell has signed a 10-year natural gas supply agreement with Hungary’s MVM CEEnergy, marking its largest commitment yet in Central and Eastern Europe.

Under the deal, Shell will supply around 200 mln cubic metres (mcm) of natural gas annually starting in January 2026, the company said on Tuesday. Shell is the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) trader.

Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto described the contract as the country’s «largest volume and longest western supply agreement ever.»

The new arrangement builds on a previous six-year contract signed in 2020, under which Shell delivers 250 mcm of LNG annually...

Uzbekistan is in discussions with China’s Tianjin Rail Transit Group about its possible role in expanding the Tashkent metro, Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov has confirmed.

Talks cover both the construction of new stations and the modernisation of existing ones. The minister noted that this cooperation could significantly boost the capital’s transport infrastructure.

In August, Deputy Transport Minister Jasurbek Choriev held meetings with Tianjin Rail Transit Group’s management, according to the Ministry of Transport. The Chinese company expressed interest not only in the metro project but also in contributing to the planned Tashkent–Samarkand high-speed line, pledging to present technical proposals...

Gianluigi Donnarumma was rescued by the referee after a major blunder in Italy’s chaotic 5-4 win over Israel, days before his expected Manchester City debut.

The 26-year-old keeper appeared to punch the ball into his own net from a corner, but the referee ruled he had been fouled by defender Stav Lemkin despite minimal contact. Fans online mocked him, branding him «the new Onana of the EPL» and warning he could struggle in England.

Italy trailed through a Manuel Locatelli own goal before Moise Kean levelled. Israel regained the lead, but strikes from Kean, Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori...

Uzbekistan is preparing to reintroduce a 12-year education system, deputy minister of preschool and school education Sardor Radjabov has confirmed.

He explained that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had reviewed a presentation on education reform, which outlined plans to expand preschool preparatory courses. This move is expected to underpin the shift to a 12-year schooling model aimed at raising educational standards.

Alignment with International Standards

Radjabov stressed that many Uzbek graduates currently face obstacles when applying to foreign universities.

«Today, when entering overseas universities, our graduates are forced to take year-long foundation courses, which results...

According to Vedomosti, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov drew attention to the décor of the Diaoyutai residence in Beijing, where President Vladimir Putin was holding bilateral talks during his official visit.

Surveying the room decorated with matryoshka dolls and other figurines, Lavrov quipped: «And where is Labubu?»

The remark referred to the widely popular toy monster known for its fluffy fur and toothy grin, which has become part of contemporary pop culture. Russian Alfa-Bank recently announced a payment card featuring the toy, while the word «Labubu» has firmly entered everyday Russian usage. Data from the «Word of the Year...

Uzbekistan is looking to position itself as a strategic partner for South Korea in advanced industries ranging from critical minerals and semiconductors to green energy and pharmaceuticals, according to Laziz Kudratov, the country’s minister of investment, industry and trade.

The Central Asian nation, rich in minerals such as tungsten and molybdenum used in semiconductors and secondary batteries, is emerging as a valuable collaborator for Korea’s high-tech sectors.

«We are focusing first and foremost on critical minerals,» Kudratov told The Korea Herald.

Strengthening Supply Chains

In 2024, the two countries agreed to boost supply...

Uzbekistan’s gold and foreign exchange reserves climbed to a record $50.08 bn as of September 1, according to the Central Bank. This marks an increase of $1.34 bn compared with the previous month.

The key driver of growth was gold, whose value rose to $40.06 bn. Uzbekistan also expanded its gold stock in physical terms, from 11.7 mn to 11.8 mn ounces.

The foreign currency component of reserves edged down slightly to $9.5 bn. Of this, around $900 mn is held with international institutions and central banks, while some $7.5 bn is placed in foreign commercial banks.

In addition...

Riot police clashed with supporters of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on Monday after a court ruling removed its Istanbul provincial leadership, as reported by Reuters.

Outside the party’s provincial office, police used pepper spray and detained protesters as hundreds gathered to oppose the decision. Inside, CHP lawmakers piled tables and chairs to block entry.

«Today, they are not only trying to evacuate the building from CHP supporters here, but they are actually attempting to dismantle democracy,» said CHP MP Gokhan Gunaydin in a live broadcast from behind the barricade.

Last week...

Prince Harry has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the third anniversary of her death during his first visit to the UK in five months. The duke visited the late monarch’s resting place at Windsor Castle on Monday morning before attending the annual WellChild Awards in London.

Speaking to young award winners, Harry joked about his bald head and ginger beard while also reflecting on the challenges of sibling relationships. His comments came as Prince William and the Princess of Wales visited a Women’s Institute event in Berkshire to honour the Queen’s long association with the organisation.

Despite...

Manchester City and the Premier League have reached a settlement in their long-running dispute over sponsorship rules known as Associated Party Transactions (APTs).

The deal means City now accept the current APT rules as valid and binding. In return, the Premier League has allowed the club to move forward with a new long-term sponsorship contract with Etihad Airways, reportedly worth up to £1 bn.

The APT rules were introduced to stop clubs from inflating commercial deals with companies linked to their owners. City had challenged the rules after a proposed Etihad deal was blocked in 2023 for not being...

A new street artwork believed to be by Banksy appeared on the Queen’s Building at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 8 September. The mural shows a judge hitting a protester with a gavel.

Court staff quickly covered the work with black plastic and metal barriers, saying it was to protect the heritage site.

Banksy confirmed the piece on Instagram. Activists said hiding the mural only made its message stronger.

Banksy’s art is known worldwide for bold statements on politics and society, even though his real identity is still unknown.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that HBO’s upcoming...

Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve a one-year prison sentence stemming from past convictions, reigniting debate over whether the influential politician received preferential treatment during his return to the country.

Thaksin came back to Thailand in 2023 after more than a decade of self-imposed exile to face an eight-year sentence in three cases involving corruption and abuse of power. The court reviewed how officials handled his return, amid public concern about irregularities in the process.

After spending less than a day in prison, Thaksin was transferred to a private suite at Bangkok’s...

President Sadyr Japarov has announced that Kyrgyzstan is close to being removed from the European Union’s aviation blacklist, Kabar news agency reports.

A crucial meeting between the country’s Civil Aviation Agency and the European Commission is scheduled for October 7 in Brussels, followed by a final audit in December.

«We firmly believe that European skies will reopen for Kyrgyzstan, which have been closed since 2006. This will mean our country becomes accessible to millions of tourists from Europe,» Japarov said.

In parallel, Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement with China on August 20 to launch a...

Brussels is preparing its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which is set to include restrictions on several banks in two Central Asian countries, Reuters reports, citing European diplomats.

The publication noted that the measures concern financial institutions in the region, though the specific countries and banks have not been disclosed.

European Council President António Costa said the upcoming sanctions would be closely coordinated with the United States. He added that Brussels expects stronger cooperation with Washington following tensions earlier this year, when US President Donald Trump chose to hold direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

George Paresishvili has left his post as chairman of the Tashkent Republican Stock Exchange (RSE «Toshkent»), the exchange’s press service reports.

His three-year employment contract expired in September 2025, bringing to an end a tenure that began in September 2022.

“Over the past three years, Mr. Paresishvili has demonstrated high results in the development of the exchange. Under his leadership, it was possible to significantly increase trading volumes and the number of transactions, and improve the company’s financial performance,” the RSE emphasized.

One of his key contributions was driving legal and regulatory reforms in...

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have agreed to establish a FIFA office for Central Asia in Tashkent.

During the talks, Infantino congratulated Mirziyoyev on Uzbekistan’s historic qualification for the World Cup, which will be held across several countries in the Americas next year.

According to the presidential press service, the two sides discussed ways to expand cooperation with FIFA, focusing on reforming the organisation and management of football in Uzbekistan. Particular attention was given to joint projects aimed at promoting the sport among young people. FIFA has already supported the launch of a football centre...

The CAFA Nations Cup 2025 reached a dramatic conclusion at Tashkent’s Olympic Stadium as Uzbekistan defeated Iran 1-0 thanks to a late extra-time strike from Khojiakbar Alijonov.

Early Drama

The match started at a frantic pace with both sides showing intensity. Just five minutes in, Iran were reduced to ten men after defender Aria Yousufi was sent off. Uzbekistan pressed their advantage and created several chances, but efforts from Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Jasurbek Alikulov failed to find the net.

In the second half, the hosts made attacking changes with Igor Sergeev and Oston Urunov coming on, yet Iran held...

HBO’s upcoming remake of the Harry Potter series has sparked debate among fans, with many questioning why the story needs to be retold.

The latest announcement confirmed Warwick Davis will return as Professor Flitwick. Earlier casting, including Nick Frost as Hagrid, also raised eyebrows, leading some to ask whether the project offers anything new.

On social media, critics pointed out the show is being filmed in the same locations as the original films, with near-identical costumes.

«Genuinely, what’s the point of this?» one fan wrote.

Others argued the remake gives more time to adapt...

Jose Mourinho has been dismissed by Fenerbahce, with club president Ali Koc saying the manager’s «unacceptable» football style forced the decision.

The 62-year-old Portuguese coach lost his job two days after Fenerbahce were knocked out of the Champions League play-offs by Benfica. While many thought the European defeat sealed his fate, Koc said it was Mourinho’s dull approach that clashed with the club’s tradition of dominant, attacking football.

«Getting knocked out by Benfica wasn’t the issue,» Koc told Turkish outlet Hurriyet. «But how we went out was unacceptable. It felt like the same dull football...

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has suspended production at its UK factories following a major cyber-attack, with disruption expected to last into October.

The carmaker, owned by India’s Tata group, stopped operations last week after hackers infiltrated its systems. Workers at plants in Halewood, Solihull and Wolverhampton have been told to stay home but will continue to be paid. They are expected to «bank» their hours and make them up later.

Suppliers including Evtec, WHS Plastics, SurTec and OPmobility have also paused work, affecting more than 6K staff. Production in Slovakia, Brazil and India is thought to be hit as...