News

The Taliban has reportedly banned women under the age of 40 from entering the Termez shopping center, according to Amu.tv, which cites local residents and shop owners.

An Afghan vendor noted that family shoppers, especially women, used to make up the bulk of customers. Since the new restrictions were introduced, foot traffic has dropped sharply, leading to a noticeable decline in sales.

So far, the Taliban has not issued an official statement regarding the ban.

The Termez International Trade Center, located on the Afghan border, has been operating since 2022 and hosts around 4,000 retail shops.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also...

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to avoid deploying military forces against anti-Trump protesters. Speaking in Geneva, Turk urged American authorities to uphold the right to peaceful assembly and rely on civilian law enforcement to maintain order, reported by Reuters.

His remarks follow Trump’s decision to send U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, marking a rare use of military support in domestic unrest.

Turk also expressed concern over funding cuts to the UN human rights office, warning they could undermine global accountability and aid for political prisoners. He further condemned...

The value of the U.S. dollar on the Uzbek Republican Currency Exchange dropped by 45.08 soums, settling at 12,715.13 soums.

The Central Bank has set the official exchange rate at this level.

Financial institutions across the country are buying dollars at rates between 12,655 and 12,760 soums. Citizens can purchase the currency at rates ranging from 12,770 to 12,820 soums.

The euro rose by 25.61 soums, reaching 14,730.48 soums. The Russian ruble appreciated by 1.67 soums, now valued at 161.75 soums.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reported on how the dollar’s exchange rate changed at the end of last week.

Trains in Uzbekistan will begin operating at reduced speeds due to extreme heat, the company Uztemirjyulyulovchi has announced.

The restrictions have been implemented to ensure the safety of both passenger and freight transportation. The hot weather may also impact the performance of cooling systems on trains, the company added.

«In addition, trains running under speed restrictions may arrive later than the times indicated on the schedule,» the company emphasised.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbekistan will launch a luxury tourist train, The Samarkand Express.

Transfermarkt has released updated data on the market values of squads participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. In the ranking of the most expensive teams, Manchester City placed second, with a total squad value of €1.18 bn.

Only Real Madrid is valued higher, at €1.33 bn. Paris Saint-Germain takes third place with €1.05 bn, followed by Chelsea (€972 mln) and Bayern Munich (€843 mln).

In Group G, alongside Manchester City, are:

The Uzbek government has approved a resolution permitting citizens who undergo gender transition to change their first name, surname, and patronymic.

Former MP Rasul Kusherbayev explained that, under the new rule, names can be adapted accordingly — for example, Dilshod may be changed to Dilshoda without restriction.

To proceed with a name change, individuals must apply through law enforcement authorities and present a medical certificate confirming the gender transition.

The updated regulation also allows changes to passport data in several other cases, such as:

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has ordered local authorities to return public green spaces and playgrounds that had been allocated for private construction. He issued the directive during a government meeting on reforms.

The President criticised local administrations for neglecting the need to expand green zones, recreational areas, and sports grounds. He expressed concern that residents are unhappy about courtyards and playgrounds being handed over for development.

He highlighted that despite previous orders to assign courtyard areas to managing companies, the hokim of Tashkent issued a decree on May 5 to register land under 9,800 apartment blocks for other uses.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced the dissolution of the Control Inspection under the Presidential Administration. He made the statement during a government meeting reviewing the progress of ongoing reforms.

According to the president, the body failed to meet its objectives. Moving forward, the Accounts Chamber will oversee the enforcement of presidential decrees and the effectiveness of public spending.

The Chamber’s authority will expand significantly. In addition to tracking the proper use of funds, it will assess the actual impact of policies and the level of public satisfaction.

The Chair of the Accounts Chamber will report to the President...

Uzbekistan has evacuated 30 of its citizens from Iran, according to the Foreign Ministry, as reported by UzA. The return of the citizens was made possible with the assistance of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

The Ministry confirmed that Uzbekistan’s embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv continue operating around the clock to ensure the safety of Uzbek nationals.

Authorities advised citizens currently in Iran and Israel to remain in secure locations and stay in contact with Uzbekistan’s diplomatic missions.

Citizens can reach the embassy in Tehran via +98 (21) 22299780, and in Tel Aviv via +972 (3) 672-2466.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported

Iran has expressed its readiness to reach an agreement that would guarantee the country does not possess nuclear weapons, according to Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic.

At the same time, Araghchi stressed that Tehran would not accept a deal that limits its legitimate rights to develop peaceful nuclear energy. He stated that Iran’s position depends on the purpose of any agreement: if it aims to enhance regional security, Iran remains open to dialogue. However, if it seeks to restrict sovereign rights, the country will reject it.

Speaking on the ongoing escalation with Israel, the foreign minister...

The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering expanding its current travel ban by adding 36 more countries, including Kyrgyzstan, according to Reuters. The agency cites internal diplomatic correspondence from the US Department of State.

Moreover, the document, signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gives the listed countries 60 days to improve their systems for identifying citizens, cooperate with the US on deportation procedures, and strengthen the security of passport documents. Failure to comply may result in a full or partial ban on entry to the United States.

Countries facing potential restrictions include:

Angola, Antigua and Barbuda...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed officials to introduce a mechanism for returning 50% of value-added tax (VAT) as cashback. The new measure aims to keep prices for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs stable while encouraging businesses to operate transparently.

«I also warn regional governors: under this new mechanism, prices for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs must remain stable. Those who fail to ensure this will lose their jobs,» said Mirziyoyev during a government meeting on ongoing reforms.

He stressed that delays in cashback payments, even for a single day...

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have announced the conclusion of a large-scale series of airstrikes aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities.

The operation targeted a network of strategic weapons production facilities across Iran, focusing on key sites involved in missile development and air defence systems. These facilities reportedly fall under the control of the Quds Force and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to the IDF press service, the strikes specifically targeted infrastructure supporting Iran’s weapons development and production, including:

Ashgabat has provided humanitarian support to citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries who arrived in Turkmenistan from Iran, the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.

By the morning of June 16, over 100 people from various countries had entered Turkmenistan. Authorities accommodated them in hotels, offering meals and essential supplies.

«As part of a humanitarian mission, the relevant government bodies of Turkmenistan are working closely with foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations,» the ministry said in a statement.

The evacuation follows a sharp escalation in the Middle East. On June...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a government meeting focused on assessing the effectiveness of ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan. During the session, he warned that the recent escalation in the Middle East could have implications for the region.

«If the conflict continues, trade and logistics — which have only just recovered from the pandemic — will face renewed disruptions,» he stated.

Mirziyoyev also noted that global demand for peace, justice, and the protection of human dignity is higher than ever.

Despite geopolitical concerns, Uzbekistan’s economy has shown strong performance. Over the first five...

On June 15, Bayern Munich faced Auckland City in the opening match of Group C at the FIFA Club World Cup in Cincinnati. The game ended with a 10–0 victory for the German side.

Kingsley Coman opened the scoring in the 6th minute. Further goals followed from Sacha Boey (18′), Michael Olise (20′, 45+2′), Coman again (21′), and Thomas Müller (45′, 90′). In the second half, Jamal Musiala added a hat-trick with goals in the 68th, 73rd (penalty), and 84th minutes.

Bayern scored six goals in the first half and four in the second. The New Zealand club failed to...

Uzbekistan Airways has updated the schedule for flights HY423/424 between Tashkent and Delhi for June 16 only, citing technical reasons.

Revised departure and arrival times:

HY423 (Tashkent – Delhi):
Departure from Tashkent – 11:00
Arrival in Delhi – 14:30

HY424 (Delhi – Tashkent):
Departure from Delhi – 16:00
Arrival in Tashkent – 18:30

All times are local. Uzbekistan Airways apologised for any inconvenience and urged passengers to stay informed about further updates.

Earlier, Centrum Air also announced schedule changes. Flights C6403/6404 on the Tashkent–Moscow–Tashkent route were rescheduled due to delays on a previous flight. The revised departure from Tashkent is at...

Uzbekistan Airways has suspended flights between Tashkent and Tel Aviv from June 16 to 30, according to the airline’s official Telegram channel.

Passengers affected by the cancellations may request a refund or rebook their tickets for a later date, the company said.

Earlier, the airline also announced plans to adjust flights from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. On June 14, Flydubai also cancelled its flights to Uzbekistan.

On Friday, June 13, the Israeli military launched missile strikes targeting Iran’s military and nuclear facilities. Tehran responded with a counterattack shortly afterwards.

Kursiv Uzbekistan...

Uzbekistan Airways has announced changes to its flight schedule between Tashkent and two international destinations — Dubai and Sharm El-Sheikh — due to temporary restrictions on the use of Iranian airspace.

The revised schedule applies from 15 to 30 June 2025.

Flight HY333/334 (Tashkent – Dubai – Tashkent):

Flight HY341/342 (Tashkent – Sharm El-Sheikh – Tashkent):

Tuesdays:

Wednesdays and Sundays:

Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency has issued a warning to citizens working in Japan about fraud schemes targeting foreign workers. The agency published the message on its official Telegram channel.

Officials urged migrants to carefully check their official documents and visa terms before accepting any job offers. “Report any suspicious proposals to the local authorities or the Uzbek embassy,” the agency said.

Uzbek nationals in Japan should not use other people’s bank cards or agree to requests involving the opening of resident cards. Authorities also advised citizens to stay away from illegal offers, including tax exemption schemes, side jobs, and...

On Friday, June 13, the Tashkent Interdistrict Economic Court ordered Humans to repay a debt of UZS 500 bn (approx. $39.5 mln) to Octobank, the bank’s press service reported.

Octobank described the ruling as a crucial step in protecting its legal rights and stated that it remains open to fair and transparent partnerships.

The dispute became public in June 2025, when Octobank filed a lawsuit against Humans, accusing the company of breaching contract terms.

Shortly after, Humans announced plans to file a counterclaim against Octobank, seeking UZS 403.7 bn (approx. $31.9 mln) in damages.

Previously, Kursiv...

Uzbekistani nationals, alongside citizens of other countries and a film crew led by Russian director Fyodor Bondarchuk, are being evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan, according to TASS.

Authorities plan to evacuate 88 people with the support of Baku. By 14:02 Tashkent time, the first bus carrying Russian nationals had already arrived in Azerbaijan.

On June 13, Israel launched missile strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, killing army personnel and scientists involved in the country’s atomic programme.

In response, Iran struck back by hitting Israel’s Ministry of Defence building. Tehran reported that 95 Iranians...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a loan of $6 mln to Angren Group, the only manufacturer of fibreglass sheets in Uzbekistan, according to the bank’s press service.

The funding will support the purchase of new equipment and expand the company’s fibreglass sheet production. Part of the loan will also go toward corporate restructuring.

The Japan–EBRD Cooperation Fund is financing the project.

The EBRD noted that Angren Group remains Uzbekistan’s sole producer of fibreglass sheets, a material commonly used in plasterboard production.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that the EBRD would allocate $250 mln to...

Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov and his Belarusian counterpart Maksim Ryzhenkov visited the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan border, according to Dunyo. The two officials travelled across the Friendship Bridge, which connects Termez and Hairatan.

During the visit, Saidov and Ryzhenkov discussed the expansion of trade routes through Afghanistan. They also explored opportunities for coordinating humanitarian assistance and ensuring stability in border regions.

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the meeting as a symbol of strong partnership and mutual trust.

«Regional security, humanitarian cooperation, and practical steps to strengthen ties — all these were...