News

Uzbekistan is preparing to expand its renewable energy footprint with the commissioning of 13 new hydroelectric power plants this year.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was recently briefed on these developments, which are expected to add 114 MW of capacity to the national grid and generate roughly 537 mln kWh of electricity annually.

A primary focus of the expansion is the Upper Pskem hydroelectric project located in the Bostanlyk district. Representing an investment of $365 mln, it stands as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the current energy cycle.

Furthermore, the 15 MW Sokh hydroelectric power plant is...

A desperate four-month search for a missing woman has culminated in tragedy. Saturday Night Live writer Jimmy Fowlie utilised Instagram this Wednesday to harrowing disturbing news to his supporters: the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed his sister Christina Downer is dead.

Authorities have formally escalated the case from a standard missing persons inquiry to an active homicide investigation.

The comedian noted that his family’s hopes for a safe reunion have now been entirely replaced by a demand for truth and accountability.

A sinister digital smokescreen

The timeline of Downer’s disappearance is marked by a chilling level of calculated...

Austria and Uzbekistan are scheduled to sign a new mobility agreement on May 7 aimed at simplifying deportation procedures.

As reported by The European Conservative the document focuses on strengthening bilateral cooperation to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling rings. The pact also establishes a framework for joint operations concerning the transit and deportation of expelled individuals to their countries of origin.

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner emphasised the importance of the treaty. He stated that the mobility agreement with Uzbekistan represents a vital next step in creating the necessary conditions for consistent deportations under a strict...

According to a recent report from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, the nation’s outstanding state external debt stood at $40.5 bn at the beginning of 2026.

The financial regulator calculated that the ratio of this sovereign debt to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) experienced a slight decline, dropping by 0.4% to settle at 27.5%. Officials at the Central Bank highlighted that these state borrowings were secured on a long-term basis and primarily under highly concessional terms.

Meanwhile, the balance of corporate debt, encompassing loans and borrowings acquired by Uzbek banks and businesses from non-residents, climbed to $41.7 bn...

Microsoft delivered stronger-than-anticipated quarterly financial results on Wednesday while simultaneously warning investors of massive impending infrastructure costs. The tech giant revealed that its total revenue jumped by 18% year on year during the quarter ending on March 31.

Net income surged to $31.78 bn or $4.27 per share compared with $25.82 bn or $3.46 per share during the same period last year. These adjusted earnings specifically exclude a minor $14 mln dip in net income linked to Microsoft’s investments in OpenAI.

The company experienced exceptional performance across its core divisions. Revenue from Azure and other cloud services skyrocketed by...

Angelina Jolie‘s appearance has become the subject of intense online scrutiny after the Hollywood star was photographed with a half-closed eye at a school event for her adopted daughter in the U.S.

The actress’s representatives were quick to address the situation, claiming the physical defect is the result of facial nerve paralysis. According to her official team, this frightening episode of Bell’s palsy was triggered by a combination of severe emotional stress and a sudden, sharp spike in her blood sugar levels.

Despite the medical explanation provided by her spokespeople, a large segment of the internet remains thoroughly unconvinced...

Newly unsealed legal documents have laid bare a deeply disturbing case against American pop star D4vd. Authorities claim the musician went to extraordinary lengths to conceal the murder of a 14-year-old girl by acquiring chainsaws and an incinerator cage under an alias.

The TikTok sensation, legally named David Anthony Burke, appeared before a Los Angeles judge this week clad in a prison-issued orange jumpsuit and heavy shackles to answer for the brutal death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Timeline and alleged motive

The prosecution has outlined a grim history between the suspect and the victim. Investigators allege the musician first...

The country music world is mourning the loss of David Allan Coe. The pioneering artist passed away in hospital on Wednesday April 29 at the age of 86.

According to his spokesperson, Coe died in intensive care at roughly 5 pm ET. The representative described him as a “musical treasure” who “appreciated all of the fans” even as his health declined in recent years.

From prison to the Grand Ole Opry

Originally from Akron, Ohio, Coe had a remarkably turbulent upbringing. He was sent to a reform school at just nine years old and spent much of the following...

The net influx of overseas capital into Uzbekistan reached a substantial $4.4 bn in 2025. According to a recently published report by the national Central Bank, this figure represents a 1.5-fold increase when compared to the previous year.

The financial regulator provided further context on the changing dynamics of these capital flows. In an official statement, the bank noted that the structure of foreign direct investment saw positive momentum across multiple areas.

Alongside a notable rise in net equity injections and an increase in borrowed funds from international backers, there was also a significant surge in the volume of...

The entertainment powerhouse managing global phenomenon BTS, Hybe, has revealed a massive surge in first-quarter sales following the band’s highly anticipated musical return. However, an exceptional accounting charge stemming from a generous employee bonus scheme has temporarily pushed the agency into the red, Yonhap reports.

In a regulatory update published this Wednesday, Hybe confirmed that its revenue between January and March skyrocketed by 39.5% year-on-year to hit $468 mln. This figure represents an all-time high for the first quarter, a season traditionally marked by sluggish activity across the global music industry.

Despite this robust top-line performance, the company recorded...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan purchased 25 tonnes of gold during the first quarter of 2026, according to recent data from the World Gold Council (WGC). This acquisition places Uzbekistan second globally, sitting just behind Poland which secured 31 tonnes.

Central banks worldwide have maintained a strong appetite for bolstering their national reserves. In total, global regulators snapped up 244 tonnes of gold over the three-month period. Alongside Poland and Uzbekistan, other notable state buyers included Kazakhstan, China, the Czech Republic and Malaysia.

This state-level buying spree contributed to a broader upward trend. Overall global demand for gold reached...

The Uzbekistan National Investment Fund (UzNIF) has started its initial public offering (IPO) with subscription applications remaining open until May 12. The formal declaration of the offering was published on the London Stock Exchange website.

The share placement is designed to unfold across two distinct markets. The domestic offering is tailored for institutional and retail investors within Uzbekistan while the international tranche targets overseas institutional investors through global depositary receipts (GDRs).

Pricing has been firmly set at $25 per GDR alongside a local rate of 4.65 soums per individual security. With a total volume exceeding five trln shares, the...

The board of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) resolved to maintain its primary interest rate at 14% per annum following a meeting on April 29. The official announcement detailing the decision was published on the organisation’s website.

According to the regulator, annual inflation dropped to 7.1% in March, aligning comfortably with previous forecasts. Meanwhile, core inflation was evaluated at 5.7%.

Despite these promising figures, the CBU noted that some underlying pressures remain.

“Despite the continued decline in inflation expectations in March, they are forming above the inflation forecasts,” the bank stated.

Revised...

Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD has reported a sharp decline in its financial performance for the first quarter of 2026. According to the Financial Times, the company’s net profit plummeted by 55% year-on-year to $600 mln.

Revenue for the period leading up to April 1 also experienced a downturn, falling by 11.8% to $21.9 bn compared with the same timeframe last year.

The Financial Times noted that these figures reflect a recent slump in BYD’s domestic sales, particularly throughout January and February. This downturn follows a prolonged period of explosive growth and coincides with the gradual phasing out of government...

Recent observations from consumers indicate a practical adjustment to the traditional Costco hot dog combo.

The highly publicised price point remains entirely unaffected. The popular food court meal continues to retail for $1.50, maintaining a steadfast pricing strategy that the company has upheld since 1985.

However, alongside the standard provision of a 20-ounce refillable fountain beverage to accompany the quarter-pound beef frankfurter, customers can now opt for bottled water.
For individuals seeking alternatives to carbonated drinks or Coca-Cola products, a 500ml bottle of Kirkland Signature water serves as a direct substitution.

While patrons have historically had the ability to dispense...

Mark Zuckerberg’s technology empire Meta has secured a multibillion-dollar partnership with Amazon to leverage its custom-designed microchips for artificial intelligence, Bloomberg reports. The deal, which emerged in late April, signals a shift in how the company intends to power its expanding suite of AI tools.

Meta is currently pouring vast resources into developing next-generation generative AI to integrate across its core platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. By turning to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its proprietary silicon, Meta aims to diversify its hardware supply chain and reduce its heavy reliance on the processors manufactured by Nvidia.

Over...

The fiercely anticipated fourth instalment of Ted Lasso has secured a launch date. The beloved comedy will grace our screens again on Wednesday August 5, with fresh episodes dropping weekly until October 7.

Apple TV has also treated fans to an initial teaser for the upcoming run. Released on April 28, the montage-heavy preview relies more on visuals than dialogue or storyline reveals. Crucially, it offers a glimpse of both familiar faces and new arrivals as Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) makes his grand return to Richmond to manage a women’s football team.

Fan favourites Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett...

Kylie Jenner accompanied her partner Timothee Chalamet to a packed Madison Square Garden on Tuesday April 28 to watch a pivotal match in the New York Knicks’ season, People reports.

The Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks started the evening deadlocked at two games each in their NBA Eastern Conference first-round series. Chalamet, 30, had previously been in the stands for the third clash on April 20 when Atlanta snatched a narrow 109-108 victory away from the home team.

For the fifth fixture of the playoffs, the actor brought 28-year-old Jenner along. Unless the fierce competition stretches to a seventh...

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised the ongoing hostility between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, calling it «ridiculous» as he seeks to advance peace talks.

Speaking in a recent interview, Trump confirmed he remains in contact with both leaders and expressed optimism about the possibility of a negotiated settlement, despite the war continuing more than a year into his second term. He argued that personal animosity between leaders is a major obstacle to progress.

Meanwhile, Zelensky warned that Russian military activity near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant poses serious nuclear safety risks, particularly as the anniversary of the...

Visible bruising on the hands of Donald Trump has drawn widespread attention during the state visit of King Charles III to Washington, shifting focus away from the diplomatic programme.

Close-up images from the ceremonial welcome quickly circulated online, prompting a wave of speculation on social media about the U.S. president’s health. While no official explanation has been provided, the footage fuelled unverified claims and political commentary.

The moment overshadowed what had been intended as a display of strong U.S.–UK relations. Analysts also pointed to the leaders’ extended handshake as a symbolic moment, with commentators interpreting body...

The United Arab Emirates has announced it will leave OPEC on May 1, marking a major shift in global energy dynamics.

Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said the decision reflects the country’s long-term strategy to expand its energy sector and increase production capacity. The UAE, a member of OPEC since 1967, is among the world’s top oil producers.

The move is seen as a setback for Saudi Arabia, which has traditionally led the cartel’s efforts to manage global oil supply and stabilise prices. By leaving, the UAE will no longer be bound by production quotas and could increase...

A Swiss court has dismissed a long-running corruption and money laundering case against Gulnara Karimova, citing procedural obstacles and time constraints.

The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona halted the proceedings shortly after the trial began, ruling that no verdict could be reached before the statute of limitations expires. The decision effectively ends the Swiss case against Karimova, who is currently serving a prison sentence in Uzbekistan and was unable to attend the hearings.

Karimova had been accused of running a criminal network known as «The Office,» allegedly involving dozens of individuals and channelling hundreds of millions of dollars...

Tashkent International Investment Forum 2026 will take place from June 16 to 19, positioning Uzbekistan’s capital as a key investment gateway in Central Asia.

The fifth anniversary forum is expected to bring together global investors, government officials, international financial institutions and major corporations, highlighting Tashkent’s growing role in regional economic integration.

Organizers say the event will build on the momentum of the 2025 forum, which attracted more than 8,000 participants from 97 countries and resulted in investment agreements worth over $30 bn.

This year’s programme will feature panel discussions, business-to-business and government-to-business meetings, as well as a large-scale...

Authorities in Vancouver have turned down a request from FIFA to provide its president, Gianni Infantino, with a high-level motorcade escort typically reserved for global leaders such as the Pope or the U.S. president.

The request was made ahead of FIFA’s annual congress in the Canadian city. Officials said security arrangements would remain «appropriate and measured,» in line with previous international events, rather than granting exceptional privileges.

The proposed level-four escort would have allowed Infantino’s convoy to bypass traffic controls and close roads, raising concerns about necessity and public perception. The decision comes as Vancouver faces growing scrutiny...