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In 2025, microfinance organisations (MFOs) and pawnshops in Uzbekistan issued loans totalling 31.8 trln soums ($2.62 bn), double the amount recorded in 2024, according to the central bank’s market report.

MFOs accounted for 28.9 trln soums ($2.38 bn), while pawnshops provided 2.9 trln ($239 mln). Individuals made up 91% of borrowers, with companies taking 9%. Most personal loans were under 10 mln soums/$824 (62%), 15% ranged from 10 to 20 mn soums ($824-$1,648), and 14% were between 20 and 50 mln soums ($1,648–$4,121).

Loans to legal entities showed that 22% were between 200 and 300 mln soums...

In 2025, trade between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan grew by 53%, reaching $1.5 bn, the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan reports.

«The number of people crossing the border has increased 1.5 times, road traffic is up 36%, and the number of cargo railcars has grown 13%,» the committee said.

To handle the rising traffic, border checkpoints are expected to move to electronic operations. Customs authorities will begin sharing cargo data before goods reach the border.

Additionally, Uzbek specialists will provide free training for Afghan colleagues on proper cargo inspection techniques.

Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan has...

Uzbekistan has climbed 43 spots to rank 48th out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s newly released “Women, Business and the Law” (WBL) 2026 report, driven by major legislative overhauls in labor and pension regulations.

The latest data awards Uzbekistan a score of 82.1 out of 100 on its legal frameworks index, placing the country among the top five globally for recent improvements in supporting women’s economic participation. By contrast, the global average for legal frameworks currently stands at 67.

Uzbekistan achieved the maximum score of 100 points across five indicators: Mobility, Family, Pay, Childcare, and Assets. The...

Damson Idris has officially joined Formula 1 as a Global Brand Ambassador following his role in F1 The Movie, which grossed over $630 mln and became the most successful sports film ever. The partnership combines Idris’ creative influence with F1’s global platform to connect entertainment and motorsport.

In the film, Idris played Joshua Pearce, a rising driver filmed at live Grands Prix, giving him first-hand experience with teams, drivers, and race operations.

F1 President Stefano Domenicali said: «Damson is passionate about the sport and shares our vision to grow it. With his platform, we will...

Cuba said its forces killed four exiles and wounded six others after a Florida-registered speedboat entered Cuban waters and opened fire on a Cuban patrol vessel, according to the government. The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Havana and the United States.

Cuba’s Interior Ministry said those aboard the vessel were anti-government Cubans, some previously wanted for allegedly plotting attacks. Authorities said the group departed from the United States wearing camouflage and carrying assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, ballistic vests and telescopic sights.

An additional suspect was detained inside Cuban territory in connection with what officials...

Samsung Electronics has announced the Galaxy S26 series, presenting what it describes as its most intuitive, proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI experiences to date. The line-up includes the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26.

According to Samsung, the third generation of its AI phones is designed to reduce the effort required for everyday smartphone tasks. From organising plans and searching for information to capturing and editing content, Galaxy AI works in the background to minimise the number of steps users need to take.

«We believe AI should be something people can depend on...

Nearly two out of three women in the «sandwich generation» are reaching a caregiving breaking point, according to a new report from family care platform Cleo, highlighting mounting mental health strain and rising costs tied to burnout.

Cleo’s third annual Family Health Index, based on more than 19,000 assessments, found that 64% of working women aged roughly 40 to 54 who care for both children and ageing relatives are at high risk of burnout. Researchers say the pressure is contributing to declining mental health, higher healthcare spending and workforce disruption.

The report found that 46% of women in midlife face...

Laura Ipsen, president and CEO of higher education technology company Ellucian, has been named to the 2026 CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business list, recognising female leaders driving measurable impact across industries.

The annual CNBC ranking highlights women reshaping business through innovation and purpose-driven leadership. Ipsen was selected for guiding Ellucian’s transformation and expanding the role of technology in higher education globally.

Since joining the company in 2017, Ipsen has led Ellucian’s shift toward software-as-a-service platforms and the development of AI-powered tools designed to improve student outcomes and streamline university operations. The company says these innovations aim to help institutions deliver...

Indian destination management company Cholan Tours has introduced a new initiative aimed at reshaping the country’s tourism industry by deploying professionally trained women chauffeurs for long-distance and multi-day tours.

The Chennai-based operator said the programme marks a first for India’s tourism sector, where long-haul driving roles have traditionally been dominated by men. By opening these positions to women, the company aims to create new career pathways while promoting more inclusive travel services.

The initiative is designed to benefit both travellers and local communities. Cholan Tours said female drivers could offer greater comfort and confidence to solo women travellers, families and...

TIME has announced its 2026 Women of the Year, honouring 16 influential figures from across entertainment, sports, business and activism for their work advancing equality and social progress.

This year’s honourees include actor and singer-songwriter Teyana Taylor, actor Lucy Liu, musician Brandi Carlile, actor Sheryl Lee Ralph, filmmaker Chloé Zhao and Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The list also recognises author and podcast host Mel Robbins, actor Mariska Hargitay and artist Amy Sherald.

Leaders from business and social impact are also featured, including Reshma Kewalramani, president and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Kecia Steelman, CEO of Ulta Beauty; and Reshma Saujani, founder...

Uzbekistan and Canada have discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, with a focus on building a strategic partnership in the mining and geological sectors, officials said on Tuesday.

The talks took place during a meeting between Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister of Mining and Geology Feruza Khamidova and Canada’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Christopher Duggan, according to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Mining and Geology.

During the discussions, Uzbek officials outlined ongoing reforms aimed at modernising the country’s mining sector. These included updates to the Law on Subsoil, the introduction of more transparent mechanisms for granting subsoil rights and the integration of Environmental, Social...

Uzbekistan has begun geological exploration operations in Afghanistan as part of a new cross-border resource cooperation initiative, officials said on Tuesday.

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Mining and Geology, the state-backed Uzbek Overseas Geology Company has started exploration work across several sites in northern Afghanistan, including the Muhammad-Jandagar, Shamar and Ahmadobod blocks.

The project will focus on identifying potential deposits of hydrocarbons as well as key metals such as iron and copper, the ministry said. Authorities view the initiative as part of broader efforts to expand Uzbekistan’s resource partnerships and strengthen regional economic ties.

An official launch ceremony...

Motorola has confirmed it will unveil full details of its upcoming Razr Fold on March 2, offering the clearest look yet at one of the most anticipated alternatives to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series.

The company teased the announcement in a social media post, saying «every detail» of the foldable will be revealed at the start of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona. The event is expected to mark the device’s official move from preview to full launch stage.

The Razr Fold was first teased in early January, but key specifications, including battery capacity, dimensions and pricing, have remained...

Gold remains near historic highs in early 2026, with prices rebounding above $5,000 per ounce despite recent volatility, as investors continue to seek safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainty, according Cameron Parry, CEO & Founder of Tally Money.

The precious metal briefly surged past $5,500 in late January before dipping below $4,700 in early February, prompting predictions of a reversal. However, the swift recovery has reinforced gold’s strong long-term trend, with prices still dramatically higher than a year ago when bullion traded below $3,000.

Analysts say tariffs and rising trade tensions have contributed to the latest rally, but broader...

The Taliban has enacted a sweeping new penal code that rights advocates say dramatically reshapes Afghanistan’s legal system by expanding state control, authorising corporal punishment and further stripping women and girls of legal protections.

According to reporting published on February 24, the 119-article document, titled the «Penal Principles of Taliban Courts», was signed on January 7 by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and took effect immediately, without public announcement or consultation. The code became public weeks later after Afghan human rights organisation Rawadari published the Pashto text, prompting criticism from legal experts and activists.

The regulation reportedly mandates absolute...

Nicole Kidman and John Travolta have been pulled into fresh dating speculation following a tabloid claim suggesting the two actors have reconnected after Kidman’s recent divorce from country star Keith Urban. Neither star has confirmed a romantic relationship, and the report relies on anonymous sourcing.

The rumour gained traction after Yahoo Entertainment republished a National Enquirer story citing an unnamed insider who alleged Travolta offered Kidman «a shoulder to lean on» following her split. The source claimed the pair had known each other for years, lost touch, and recently reconnected, but provided no direct evidence. Representatives for both...

Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum is weighing legal action against Elon Musk after he accused her of links to drug cartels, calling his remarks «ridiculous» and baseless.

The controversy erupted after Musk wrote on X that Sheinbaum was «saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say,» responding to a resurfaced 2025 video in which she rejected a return to a militarised «war on drugs.» Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Sheinbaum confirmed government lawyers are reviewing possible legal steps, saying the claims show a «lack of understanding of the national reality.»

The dispute comes amid escalating tensions...

China may face difficulties mounting a military campaign against Taiwan as President Xi Jinping’s sweeping purge of senior officials continues to reshape the country’s armed forces, analysts say.

A new report from the China Power Project found that around 101 senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers have disappeared from public view since 2022, part of a broader anti-corruption drive that has intensified in recent years. The removals have included high-ranking figures reportedly close to Xi, raising questions about the military’s readiness.

Bonny Lin, director of the Washington-based research initiative, said the scale of the purge could undermine China’s near-term operational...

The United Kingdom will host the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for a historic summit in London on February 26, 2026, according to the press release shared with Kursiv Uzbekistan.

This gathering, hosted by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, marks the first time since these nations gained independence in 1991 that such a joint meeting has taken place in this format.

The summit represents a strategic pivot for the UK as it seeks to deepen ties with the rapidly growing economies of Central Asia. The British government aims to bolster regional resilience and economic growth through...

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has cemented its reputation as a record-breaking supercar, setting the fastest lap ever at Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap 2026, GM reports.

At Virginia International Raceway’s 4.1-mile Grand Course, the ZR1 clocked a 2:34.2, outpacing a field of elite production cars. This run extended the Corvette’s dominance at VIR, where driver Aaron Link had already set the Grand Course production-car record last year. The ZR1 also holds production-car lap records at Watkins Glen’s Long Course, Road America, and Road Atlanta, and previously posted a 1:47.7 on VIR’s Full Course.

Link...

Sony Pictures is preparing to relaunch its live-action Spider-Man universe with a new reboot and a fresh cast, the studio’s chief executive Tom Rothman has confirmed.

Speaking on Matthew Belloni’s The Town podcast, Rothman dismissed suggestions that Sony’s broader Spider-Man universe was finished. When asked whether the studio would return to those characters, he replied «Yes,» and confirmed the next iteration would be a full reset featuring new faces.

Rothman suggested that scaling back output could help revive interest. «Scarcity has value,» he said, arguing that audiences need time away from characters before enthusiasm can return.

Sony has controlled...

South Korean authorities have reportedly obtained intelligence indicating that the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, previously believed to be named Kim Ju-ae, is in fact called Kim Ju-hae.

According to senior government sources, intelligence agencies are also assessing reports that she has been assigned the role of «missile general director» within North Korea. Officials are closely watching developments at the ongoing 9th Workers’ Party Congress in Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-un has frequently appeared with his daughter at nuclear and missile test sites. Intelligence assessments suggest he may have positioned her in a senior role linked to missile oversight...

Russian historian and Korea specialist Andrei Lankov was detained in Riga on Tuesday and expelled from Latvia.

Lankov had travelled to the Latvian capital to deliver a public lecture titled «North Korea: What the Elite Wants and Fears.» However, the event never took place as municipal police officers arrived and escorted him to the immigration service.

It later emerged that Latvia’s Foreign Ministry had declared Lankov persona non grata on February 20, though the reasons for the travel ban have not been disclosed.

In a statement on his Telegram channel, Lankov said he was taken to the...

Finnish delivery service Wolt has announced it will cease operations in Uzbekistan from March 5, 2026.

Wolt launched in Uzbekistan in October 2024 through its local entity Wolt Texnologiyalari, owned by Wolt Enterprises Oy. The service initially operated in Tashkent and expanded to Samarkand a year later. By June 2025, it featured around 1,400 restaurants and over 200 shops in the capital.

The platform allows users to order food and goods online from restaurants and stores for home delivery or pickup via its mobile app or website. Wolt operates in multiple European and Central Asian countries, having entered Kazakhstan...