News

Uzbekistan has successfully brokered a new aviation agreement with Etihad Airways to establish regular passenger flights connecting Tashkent with Abu Dhabi.

This development was finalised during a high-level meeting in the United Arab Emirates between Jasurbek Choriev, the Deputy Minister of Transport for Uzbekistan, and senior executives from the major international airline.

Commencing on August 17, the UAE’s national carrier will operate a direct service running the Tashkent-Abu Dhabi-Tashkent route.

The reinstatement of these flights will offer a massive boost to international mobility for passengers departing from Uzbekistan. Travellers will gain seamless access to Etihad’s extensive global network, which...

The week ending April 21 brought a massive surprise to the global Steam charts. While industry analysts anticipated that Capcom’s highly awaited sci-fi shooter Pragmata would comfortably dominate the market, an early access pirate survival game named Windrose completely stole the spotlight, Games.gg reports.

The Rise of a New Pirate Adventure

Developed by Kraken Express, a studio founded in Uzbekistan, Windrose launched into early access on April 14 with barely any pre-release marketing. Despite the incredibly short runway between its announcement and release, the cooperative title shifted a staggering one million copies in just six days.

Peaking at...

A controversial proposal from Chip Roy is reigniting debate over the intersection of immigration, national security and political freedom in the United States. The Republican lawmaker has introduced the so-called MAMDANI Act — a bill that would dramatically expand the government’s power to exclude or remove non-citizens based on ideological grounds.

A bill aimed at «hostile ideologies»

The proposed legislation, formally titled the Measures Against Marxism’s Dangerous Adherents and Noxious Islamists Act, would allow authorities to deny entry, revoke citizenship, or deport individuals linked to or advocating for Marxist, socialist, communist or Islamist fundamentalist beliefs.

According to Roy, the...

The telecommunications market in Uzbekistan expanded at an unprecedented rate during 2025. According to a joint industry report published by Nexign and the analytical agency TelecomDaily, the sector’s total valuation reached 24.9 trln UZS ($2 bn) following an impressive year-on-year growth of 18.3%.

This rapid development firmly positions Uzbekistan as a regional leader in digital expansion. The country’s growth rate was notably higher than its neighbours and managed to exceed the global average of 2.5% by an astonishing seven times.

The dynamic upward trend is largely fuelled by rising internet traffic alongside heavy financial investments in both mobile and fixed-line...

The initial phase of constructing Uzbekistan’s first small nuclear reactors will require an investment of approximately $1 bn.

This significant financial commitment was revealed by Sukhrob Abdurakhmanov, the deputy chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during the “Innoprom. Central Asia” exhibition held recently in Tashkent.

The ambitious power plant project is a key component of the nation’s strategy to fortify its energy security. By diversifying its power generation capabilities, Uzbekistan aims to significantly reduce its reliance on traditional electricity sources and create a far more resilient national grid.

Industry leaders and government officials view the adoption of nuclear...

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that Tehran has prepared «new cards on the battlefield» and will not engage in negotiations with the United States under pressure, as tensions in the Gulf continue to escalate.

The statement comes after Donald Trump confirmed that a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in place until Iran agrees to a peace deal. Trump also cautioned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to «unprecedented problems.»

The standoff intensified after U.S. forces seized the Iranian cargo vessel Touska, accusing it of attempting to breach the blockade. Tehran condemned...

The Hong Kong government has launched a legal bid to confiscate assets worth more than HK$127 mln ($16.22 mln) from the imprisoned media tycoon Jimmy Lai, Reuters reports.

A High Court writ published on Tuesday outlines the targeted wealth which includes private company shares, small factory premises and numerous bank accounts belonging to the former billionaire.

The forfeiture hearing is scheduled to take place on July 8. Representatives for Lai’s legal team have declined to comment on the matter.

Targeted wealth and corporate assets

The most significant portion of the targeted wealth relates to Lai’s shares in two...

Malaysian firm Karex Bhd, the largest producer of condoms globally, is preparing to increase its prices by between 20% and 30%.

The company’s chief executive has warned that further hikes may be necessary if the ongoing conflict in Iran continues to severely disrupt international supply chains.

Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, CEO Goh Miah Kiat explained that Karex is currently experiencing a massive surge in demand. Skyrocketing freight costs and significant shipping delays have left many clients with dangerously low inventory levels.

“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive,” Goh stated. “We have...

Uzbekistan is preparing to establish a specialised cryptocurrency mining hub known as the Besqala Mining Valley.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the creation of this dedicated zone in the Republic of Karakalpakstan has been officially authorised by a decree from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

A defining feature of the new initiative is its flexible approach to power consumption. Miners operating within the valley will be permitted to draw electricity from the unified national grid alongside alternative power sources. Notably, this includes provisions for the use of hydrogen power stations to fuel energy-intensive mining operations.

Businesses granted residency in...

Italy’s tax authorities are tightening their grip on foreign athletes with Formula 1 drivers who have recently raced in the country now serving as the prime targets of a retrospective tax collection effort, RacingNews365 reports.

The Bologna division of the Guardia di Finanza (Italy’s financial police) has launched an inquiry into motorsport competitors and their respective teams. According to local newspaper Il Resto del Carlino, the probe centres on whether tax was adequately paid on earnings generated during Italian race weekends.

Under national law foreign sports professionals must pay tax on income earned while competing within Italy’s borders. Historically...

Uzbekistan has recorded a dramatic increase in international tourism during the first three months of 2026.

According to official figures provided by the Tourism Committee to Kursiv Uzbekistan, the country welcomed 2.87 mln foreign visitors between January and March. This represents a staggering year-on-year increase with 770,000 more tourists arriving than in the same period last year.

Central Asia drives the influx

Neighbouring nations provided the vast majority of international arrivals during the first quarter. Kyrgyzstan topped the list as the primary source of tourists with 807,000 citizens crossing the border. Tajikistan followed closely with 713,900 visitors and Kazakhstan...

South Africa is mourning the loss of Cynthia Philisiwe Shange, a trailblazer who famously shattered racial barriers during the height of the apartheid era, BBC reports. The revered actress and historic pageant contestant died in hospital early on Monday morning following a period of illness. She was 76.

The news was confirmed by her daughter, television personality Nonhle Thema. Taking to Instagram to share her grief, Thema posted a digital memorial celebrating her mother’s enduring legacy. She described Shange as a figure of immense grace whose presence radiated warmth, dignity and kindness to everyone she met.

Thema requested prayers...

A live-action cinematic adaptation of the massively popular fantasy video game Elden Ring is officially underway, Variety reports. Directed by Alex Garland, the project from A24 and Bandai Namco Entertainment is currently in production and is being shot specifically to be experienced on IMAX screens.

Fans of the dark fantasy epic can mark their calendars for March 3, 2028 when the film is slated to hit cinemas worldwide.

A star-studded ensemble

Alongside the release date, the studios have unveiled a massive ensemble cast and offered a glimpse into the characters they will portray. Heartstopper breakout star Kit Connor...

Following his arrest last Thursday, the recording artist known as D4vd has been formally charged with the murder of a teenage girl whose remains were discovered inside his vehicle, Variety reports.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced during a press conference on Monday that the singer, whose legal name is David Burke, faces a first-degree murder charge. This escalates the case significantly as it introduces the possibility of the death penalty. Burke is also facing further charges for committing lewd acts with a minor and dismembering the teenager’s body.

Authorities identified the victim as Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Hochman stated that...

Tim Cook will step down as chief executive of Apple on September 1, bringing to an end his 15-year tenure at the helm of one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Cook, who took over from Steve Jobs in 2011, will transition to the role of executive chairman of Apple’s board, the company confirmed. The move is part of what Apple described as a «thoughtful, long-term succession planning process.»

The company has named John Ternus, currently senior vice president of hardware engineering, as Cook’s successor. Ternus has played a key role in the development of Apple’s flagship products...

Donald Trump has insisted the United States is «under no pressure whatsoever» to strike a deal with Iran, as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides approaches its expiration.

Tensions escalated after the U.S. Navy seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, an operation linked to Washington’s enforcement of a naval blockade. Tehran condemned the move and said it would refuse further negotiations unless the blockade is lifted.

Trump framed his stance as a strategic decision, arguing that patience strengthens the U.S. position. He described the broader operation as being «perfectly executed,» while critics say...

Scientists in China have unveiled a prototype system capable of charging drones mid-air using microwave energy, a development that could pave the way for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with near-unlimited flight time.

The research, led by Professor Song Liwei at Xidian University, demonstrated a car-mounted platform that beams power to a drone while both are in motion. In tests, the system kept a fixed-wing UAV airborne for just over three hours at an altitude of 15 metres.

The technology works by transmitting microwave energy from a ground-based emitter to an antenna array mounted beneath the drone. However, researchers...

Greece has temporarily suspended new EU biometric border checks for British travellers in a bid to ease severe airport delays during the peak holiday season.

The decision comes after the rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires non-EU visitors, including UK holidaymakers, to undergo fingerprinting and facial recognition checks upon arrival. The system, designed to replace passport stamping and monitor visa limits, has led to queues of up to four hours at some European airports.

Greek tourism officials said the exemption would «ensure a smoother and more efficient arrival experience» and significantly reduce waiting times. The move...

Mitch Winehouse has lost a High Court legal battle against two of Amy Winehouse’s close friends over the sale of the late singer’s personal belongings.

The case centred on claims that stylist Naomi Parry and friend Catriona Gourlay had improperly profited from auctioning items in the United States in 2021 and 2023. Acting as administrator of his daughter’s estate, Mitch Winehouse alleged the pair had concealed the sales.

However, Deputy High Court Judge Sarah Clarke KC dismissed the claims, ruling that neither woman had deliberately hidden the items and that the claimant could have identified them with reasonable...

Tech billionaire Elon Musk failed to attend a voluntary hearing in France on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation into his social media platform X, according to the Paris public prosecutor’s office.

Authorities confirmed that Musk’s absence would not affect the probe, noting that neither he nor former X chief Linda Yaccarino was legally required to appear.

French prosecutors have been investigating X for about a year over allegations that its algorithms were manipulated to amplify far-right content. The inquiry also includes concerns about Holocaust denial and AI-generated deepfake material produced by the platform’s chatbot Grok, including...

U.S. forces have seized an Iranian-linked container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in tensions that could threaten a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

According to United States Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Marines launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli by helicopter to board and capture the vessel, identified as the M/V Touska. The operation reportedly involved warning shots fired at the ship’s engine before it was taken into custody.

The seizure followed a series of incidents in the region, including Iran temporarily restricting traffic through the Strait, attacking an Indian tanker...

A rejected contestant from Dragons’ Den is now on track to build a £10 mln business, proving that turning down investment can sometimes pay off.

Lucie MacLeod, 24, appeared on the show seeking £190,000 for a 3% stake in her haircare brand Hair Syrup. Despite pitching to high-profile investors including Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett, she left without securing a deal after all six Dragons declined to invest.

MacLeod launched Hair Syrup after experimenting with natural hair treatments as a teenager. What began as homemade remedies quickly gained traction after a viral TikTok video, eventually growing...

The FIA has announced a comprehensive suite of proposed adjustments to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. These refinements follow intensive consultations between the sport’s governing body, technical delegates and the drivers themselves.

Built upon data harvested from the first three races of the 2026 season, the tweaks aim to resolve early teething problems with the new engine formula. The initial regulations were crafted in close collaboration with the FIA, competing teams, power unit manufacturers and Formula One Management. Following an upcoming electronic vote by the World Motor Sport Council, the majority of these new proposals will come into active...

A viral LEGO-style animation titled «Goodbye Charlie» has taken social media by storm, racking up millions of views across platforms like YouTube and X while leaving viewers questioning its origins.

The clip features a satirical country song and follows a dramatic storyline centred on a character named Erica, whose seemingly perfect life unravels into a chaotic, soap opera-style narrative. With moody visuals, exaggerated expressions, and a catchy chorus repeating «Goodbye Charlie,» the video blends humour with dark storytelling, creating a striking contrast that has captivated audiences.

The animation’s over-the-top plot and earworm soundtrack have fuelled widespread discussion online...