News

Global South Utilities (GSU), an Abu Dhabi-based energy company, announced it has finalised the acquisition of a 51% stake in Uzbekistan’s Yashil Energiya, making its first entry into Central Asia and the wider CIS region.

Expanding beyond utility-scale projects

Yashil Energiya develops commercial and industrial distributed solar projects and is diversifying into electric vehicle charging and mini hydropower. This deal represents the first time an Emirati company has acquired a renewable energy firm in the CIS, and signals GSU’s expansion into distributed solar and EV charging alongside its utility-scale operations.

The investment was structured as an increase in charter...

On September 25, during the World Atomic Week 2025 forum, Rosatom and Asaka Motors International signed a cooperation agreement on the production of lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems, the Russian company announced.

The agreement was signed by Anastasia Mikhailova, director of the fuel division at Rosatom, and Avazbek Jalilov, chief executive of Asaka Motors.

A central element of the partnership will be the development of a project to localise battery production in Uzbekistan, targeting both electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems.

Anastasia Mikhailova underlined the strategic importance of the deal:

«We see Asaka Motors...

Today, September 27, marks the 27th anniversary of Google, the tech giant that began as a research project and grew into one of the most influential companies in the world. To commemorate the occasion, Google unveiled a celebratory Doodle on its homepage.

Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were PhD students at Stanford University, Google started as a search engine designed to organize the world’s information. Over nearly three decades, it has expanded into a global ecosystem of products and services — from Android and Chrome to YouTube, Google Maps, and AI-powered tools like...

Tashkent Airport has become the second-largest cargo hub in Central Asia after Almaty, according to Kelly Chen, head of strategic supply at Freightos Group, reviewing the 2019–2024 period.

Astana ranked third, followed by Bishkek, Dushanbe and Ashgabat. Chen noted that Uzbekistan is increasingly positioning itself as a hub between Europe and Asia thanks to rising freight traffic, while Kazakhstan retains its role as the region’s main political and economic centre.

Europe and Airlines Leading the Market

Among European airports, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan, Brussels and Hamburg were the top origins for cargo bound for Central Asia.

Freightos data shows Turkish...

The Uzbek capital welcomed leading experts, entrepreneurs, and researchers for the international forum «Women & Artificial Intelligence: Inspire. Educate. Implement», dedicated to strengthening women’s role in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.

Organized under the initiatives of GAP Women IT Union and IT Ladies, with support from the IT Education Association, the forum served as a platform for dialogue, experience exchange, and presentation of success stories in the digital economy. Discussions centered on the influence of AI on education, entrepreneurship, and professional growth, while participants showcased programs that encourage girls and women to pursue careers in technology.

Keynote speakers included Kamola Sobirova, Advisor to the Ministry...

As part of the High-Level Week of the 80th UN General Assembly, a forum titled Global Movement to Improve Survival and Reduce Suffering of Children with Cancer and Other Life-Threatening Diseases took place at the organisation’s headquarters. The meeting was chaired by Uzbekistan’s First Lady Ziroat Mirziyoyeva.

The event was organised jointly by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Zamin Foundation. In her opening remarks, Mirziyoyeva stressed the need for collective action:

«Today, more than two billion children worldwide are at risk or already living...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is strengthening Uzbekistan’s green energy infrastructure and long-term decarbonisation plans by supporting Techno Cable Group (TCG), a domestic producer of copper and aluminium electrical cables used in power grids and renewable energy projects.

TCG, which already manufactures over 3,000 types of electrical cable including polyvinyl chloride insulated varieties, will receive a senior loan of up to US$17.5 mln from the Bank. The funds will finance capacity expansion and working capital, enabling the company to purchase new specialised equipment and raw materials.

With the investment, TCG aims to raise copper-wire output by...

World Cup-winning defender Fabio Cannavaro will not become head coach of Uzbekistan’s national football team, according to sportsdaily.ru, which cited a source close to the talks.

The Uzbekistan Football Association had been in negotiations with the Italian, but Cannavaro declined the offer. He gave the same response to Kazakhstan, making clear that he hopes to secure a managerial role in Italy this season should a club part ways with its current coach.

Earlier reports suggested Cannavaro had explored the possibility of joining CSKA Moscow over the summer, though discussions never progressed beyond a preliminary agreement.

After a celebrated...

At the Global Atomic Forum, Uzbekistan and Russia signed agreements on the construction of a nuclear power plant, the country’s atomic agency Uzatom reports.

The first document is a supplementary agreement outlining the conditions for building the plant, which will include both a large and a small station with a combined capacity of 2.1 GW. The second agreement covers fuel supply for the future facility.

«We are not simply building the first station in the region – we are creating an innovative solution for the future. Our project is a bold combination of cutting-edge small...

On September 12, the company “BASALT UZBEKISTAN” held a conference in Jizzakh dedicated to the issues of norm-making and development of the basalt industry. The event brought together more than 140 participants – representatives of ministries and departments, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, scientific institutes, universities, as well as foreign companies.

Gathering at one table, the participants were able to discuss what hinders the development of the industry and find a solution. As many speakers noted: “We want to build stronger, warmer, and more environmentally friendly, and for this, we need to act together.”

Especially inspiring was the fact...

Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov claimed on September 25 that NATO and the European Union are using Ukraine to fight a «real war» against his country, remarks Britain dismissed as delusional distortions.

Speaking at a G20 meeting of foreign ministers inside the United Nations, Lavrov said the West had provoked the crisis and was now directly engaged in conflict with Moscow. His intervention came two days after US President Donald Trump voiced stronger support for Ukraine, praising its resilience and suggesting NATO allies should shoot down Russian aircraft if they breach their airspace.

Tensions have heightened along Europe’s eastern...

The gunman who opened fire on a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Dallas left behind notes declaring he acted alone in an attempt to kill and terrorise ICE staff, whom he described as human traffickers, officials said on September 25.

Although one detainee was killed and two others critically injured in the shooting, investigators said the attacker did not intend to harm people held in custody.

«He hoped his actions would terrorise ICE employees and interfere with their work, which he called human trafficking. What he did is the very definition...

US President Donald Trump said on September 25 he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, rejecting calls from far-right Israeli politicians.

«I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, it’s not going to happen,» he told reporters, urging an end to the expansion of settlements.

His comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly. France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal have recently recognised a Palestinian state to preserve hopes for a two-state solution, a move condemned by Israel.

Brazilian skateboarding legend Sandro Dias has written his name into the record books after completing a breathtaking descent from the side of a skyscraper in Porto Alegre, Red Bull reports. The 50-year-old broke two Guinness World Records™ during the Red Bull Building Drop, conquering a custom-built ramp attached to the 22-storey Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari (CAFF).

Record-Breaking Descent

Launching himself from a height of 70 metres, Dias sped...

A Colombian league match between Independiente Medellín and Junior Barranquilla produced one of the strangest moments of the season when visiting forward Guillermo Paiva of Paraguay found the net in an unusual way.

Paiva was lying in the penalty area after a collision when a cross from Daniel Rivera struck him directly on the backside and bounced into the corner of the goal. The stadium was stunned, social media exploded — but celebrations were cut short as the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. The game eventually finished 2-2 with the bizarre goal disallowed.

How the...

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order moving forward with the plan to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to American and global investors, in line with national security requirements set by a 2024 law.

Vice President JD Vance said the new company would be valued at about $14 bn, a figure far lower than some analyst estimates. Trump also delayed enforcement of the law banning TikTok until January 20, allowing time to finalise the restructuring, bring in investors and gain approval from Beijing.

Protecting Data and Securing Approval

Vance told reporters there had been «some resistance on the...

The second season of Mnet’s male audition programme Boys Planet concluded on September 25 night with eight winners revealed in the final episode.

Top eight contestants were selected by fan votes cast during the live finale. The series, which began on July 17, featured 160 aspiring K-pop idols competing for a place in the debut line-up.

Grid Entertainment trainee Lee Sang-won topped the rankings with more than 7.2 mln votes, followed by Zhou An Xin of Nouer Entertainment and Boy Story’s He Xin Long, who is signed under JYP Entertainment.

«Although filming lasted only three...

Aviasales.uz reports a sharp rise in domestic travel across Uzbekistan this autumn, with the overall number of trips increasing 2.8 times compared with last year.

The main driver of this growth was Bukhara, which saw bookings rise 4.31 times — a 331% increase. Travellers typically spend two days in the city. The surge is linked to the Biennale of Contemporary Art held there from September to November, which drew widespread interest from visitors across the country.

Tashkent continues to hold the top spot in domestic tourism. Bookings to the capital up by 150%, while average ticket prices remained at...

The Uzbekistan Football Association is holding talks with 2006 Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro about taking charge of the national side, Championat.asia reports. Should the negotiations end successfully, the legendary defender will become head coach of Uzbekistan’s team.

Earlier candidates for the role included Paulo Bento, Joachim Löw and Fatih Terim.

Who is Fabio Cannavaro?

Born on September 13, 1973 in Naples, Italy, Cannavaro played as a central defender and built an illustrious career at club and international level.

He featured for:

Speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warned that the credibility of global institutions is weakening amid mounting international tensions.

«Serious violations of international law have become a ‘new normality,’ undermining global stability and eroding trust between peoples, political leaders, and states,» he said.

Tokayev underscored the need for stronger international governance in an era of turbulence, insisting that the UN must adapt through meaningful reforms. Central to this, he argued, is a restructuring of the Security Council to ensure fairer representation for Asia...

FIFA has revealed the official mascots for the 2026 World Cup, the first men’s tournament to be hosted across three nations.

The trio of character, Maple the moose for Canada, Zayu the jaguar for Mexico and Clutch the bald eagle for the United States, were announced on Thursday. FIFA said the mascots embody the spirit of the host countries and the togetherness of the global competition.

«The ‘26 team has just got bigger – and more fun,» FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. «Maple, Zayu and Clutch are full of joy, energy and the spirit of...

Israel could be suspended from European football as soon as next week, with UEFA’s executive committee expected to vote on banning the country’s football association and clubs. Sources told Telegraph Sport that most committee members support suspension, and talks are planned with FIFA about extending the measure to World Cup qualifiers.

The move comes after a UN panel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza — allegations Israel has rejected as «distorted and false.» Former footballer Eric Cantona, actor Benedict Cumberbatch, and political figures including Jeremy Corbyn have joined calls for Israel to be excluded from global sport.

The...

Uzbekistan, home to some of the most storied cities of the Silk Road, is fast gaining international attention as a hub for arts, culture, and adventure. Long celebrated for its mosques, madrasahs, and vibrant bazaars, the Central Asian nation is now investing heavily in cultural institutions and events that promise to redefine its place on the global stage.

Art at the Heart of the Silk Road

This September, Uzbekistan launched the inaugural Bukhara Biennal, titled «Recipes for Broken Hearts,» running until November. The exhibition combines visual arts, crafts, music, textiles, and culinary traditions in the UNESCO-listed city, signaling the...

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a long-running case over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya.

The Paris Criminal Court delivered the verdict on Thursday, acquitting the 70-year-old of charges of bribery, illegal campaign financing, and benefiting from embezzled public funds. The sentence was not suspended or converted to home monitoring.

The case centers on claims that millions of euros from Moamer Gaddafi’s regime were funneled into Sarkozy’s campaign, with witnesses testifying to suitcase deliveries of cash in...