News

Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Uzbekistan Airways is set to launch direct flights to Madrid in 2025, as announced by airline representatives during a press conference marking the company’s 33rd anniversary.

This year, the airline will introduce flights from Fergana to Delhi. Uzbekistan Airways will begin operating flights from Tashkent and Fergana to Urumqi. There are also plans to consider direct flights to Shenzhen.

Shukhrat Khudaykulov, the Chairman of the Board, emphasised that Uzbekistan Airways will prioritise international destinations, while its subsidiary, Silk Avia, will focus on developing domestic transportation.

Uzbekistan Airways is planning to expand its fleet in response to...

According to data from the trading floor, the dollar exchange rate increased by 11.71 soums on January 28, reaching 12,974.98 soums at the currency exchange.

The Central Bank of the Republic established the U.S. dollar rate at a similar level.

Banks are buying the dollar for 12,900 to 12,930 soums and selling it for 12,965 to 13,025 soums.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reported the projected increase in the dollar exchange rate in 2025.

The hands of the Doomsday Clock have been moved forward again, bringing the time to nuclear midnight to a record low of 89 seconds. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced this decision during a broadcast.

“This is the shortest time to midnight that the world has ever faced,” stated Daniel Holts, the head of the science council, in response to the situation.

Since 2010, the clock has consistently ticked closer to midnight. The safest time recorded was in 1991, when the clock showed 23:43, allowing humanity 17 minutes before symbolic midnight.

In 2023, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that the clock...

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has directed the acceleration of nuclear power plant construction and the establishment of a nuclear cluster within the country. He announced this during an expanded government meeting.

Tokayev emphasised that developing nuclear energy is essential for Kazakhstan’s economic and technological progress. He tasked the government with creating a strategy for the nuclear industry and identifying sites for new power plant construction.

The President highlighted that, given the current electricity shortages, Kazakhstan urgently needs nuclear technologies.

Kazakhstan ranks first in the world in uranium mining and holds the second-largest proven reserves. In October 2024, the...

Uzbekistan plans to construct 7,000 kilometres of main networks to connect new energy capacities. An investment of $4 bn will be allocated to modernize the national electricity network. Uzbek Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov made this announcement during a meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

By 2030, more than 50% of electricity is expected to be generated from solar, wind, and micro-hydroelectric power plants.

Additionally, the aim is to reduce electricity losses from 14% to 8% and 9% by 2030 and enhance energy efficiency in the industrial sector.

So far, foreign investments amounting to $26 bn have been secured for projects...

The State Technical University is set to be established in Nukus following a decree from the President of Uzbekistan.

This new educational institution will be formed based on the Nukus Mining Institute. It will operate under Navoi Mining and Technology University, along with the local branch of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies.

By the next academic year, a pilot production enterprise will be launched at the university. Concurrently, the Amudarya Engineering Technological College will begin training personnel in the industry at the middle level.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that plans are in place to open a technical...

According to Nurlan Yermekbayev, the organisation’s secretary general, the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), including Uzbekistan, are not yet prepared to discuss the possibility of a visa-free regime.

“In terms of a visa-free regime across the entire organisation, the issue is not yet ready for consideration,” Yermekbayev stated in an interview with Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency.

However, he noted that liberalising visa regimes is one of the SCO’s objectives, and migration and tourism services are currently exploring this topic.

The SCO is an international organisation established in 2001 by the leaders of Uzbekistan, China, Kazakhstan...

According to The Times, Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov has the potential to become a standout player for Manchester City. The 20-year-old is noted for his speed, which was comparable to that of Kyle Walker at the peak of his career.

Manchester City acquired Husanov for 40 mln euros, a significant increase from the 100,000 euros that French club Lens paid for him a year and a half ago. The Times’ columnists are not surprised by this rapid rise in the player’s value.

Coaches and former teammates in France highly regard Khusanov’s talents, considering him one of the most...

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has concluded in Davos, Switzerland, with participation from prominent politicians and business leaders. Reuters has gathered the most discussed topics of the event.

At the forum, supporters and opponents of Israel came to the conclusion that the new US President Donald Trump could encourage Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the decision regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Iran declared that its nuclear programme is not aimed at developing atomic weapons. Tehran also stated that it has no intention of threatening its regional neighbours.

At the WEF, heads of state and...

The governments of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend the ceasefire between the two countries, as reported by the White House.

“The ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, monitored by the United States, will remain in effect until February 18, 2025,” the statement said.

The statement also noted that the authorities of the three countries plan to begin negotiations regarding the release of Lebanese prisoners.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israel is required to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. The Hezbollah group is committed to redeploying its forces beyond the Litani River.

Tashkent ranked sixth in the global list of cities with the most polluted air, based on IQAir data as of the morning of January 27.

The concentration of PM2.5 particles in Tashkent’s air exceeded the acceptable standard by 23 times.

The cities topping the list for worst air quality were Lahore, Dhaka, and Delhi. In contrast, the cleanest air was recorded in Bern, Berlin, and Minneapolis.

PM2.5 refers to harmful substances composed of dust particles, asphalt, and heavy metal compounds, posing significant health risks.

Colombian authorities have agreed to accept deported illegal immigrants from the United States, reports Deutsche Welle.

Bogotá has expressed its willingness to receive Colombian nationals deported by both civilian and military aircraft. Washington emphasised that President Donald Trump remains committed to safeguarding U.S. sovereignty.

Earlier, the U.S. President announced the imposition of tariffs on Colombian goods. Trump also ordered enhanced screening for Colombian citizens entering the United States and banned entry for Colombian officials. These measures followed Bogotá’s prior refusal to accept deported illegal immigrants.

«These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian government...

As of early 2025, the number of registered construction companies in Uzbekistan exceeded 54,200, according to a report from the State Statistics Agency. The figure grew by 2% compared to the previous year.

In 2023, the number of such companies stood at 49,100, while in 2022 and 2021, it was 45,700 and 43,100, respectively.

By the end of 2024, Uzbekistan’s construction market was valued at UZS 233.8 trln, reflecting an annual growth of 8.8%. Significant contributions came from Tashkent (UZS 57.6 trln), the Tashkent region (UZS 24.1 trln), and the Bukhara region (UZS 16.5 trl).

The majority of construction projects...

Saida Mirziyoyeva, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan, highlighted the country’s recent progress in joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

«In 2024, Uzbekistan made a significant step towards WTO membership,» she stated on her Telegram channel.

Last year, two key WTO working group meetings were held, enabling the preparation of a draft accession document. Negotiations on this matter were concluded with 15 countries, bringing the total number of signed agreements to 23, Mirziyoyeva added.

Additionally, 20 new laws were adopted in Uzbekistan, aimed at improving business conditions and increasing competition transparency.

«This year, we will maintain the same pace...

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated Alexander Lukashenko on his victory in the Belarusian presidential election.

Mirziyoyev highlighted that the high voter turnout and the election results demonstrated the Belarusian people’s trust in their incumbent president.

The two leaders also discussed further development of the partnership between Uzbekistan and Belarus.

Previously, Kursiv Uzbekistan reports that preliminary calculations showed Lukashenko secured 86.82% of the votes in the Belarusian presidential election.

South Korea’s prosecutor’s office has officially charged President Yoon Suk Yeol with organising a rebellion following his declaration of martial law in December 2024, BBC reports.

The report cites a statement from South Korea’s Democratic Party.

“The prosecutor’s office has decided to press charges against Yoon Suk-yeol, accusing him of being the leader of the rebellion,” the party’s statement said.

President Yoon is currently being held in solitary confinement and faces the possibility of imprisonment.

As previously reported by Kursiv Uzbekistan, Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested only in mid-January. In December 2024, he declared martial law, a decision...

Air Samarkand transported 152,600 passengers and 2,600 tonnes of cargo in 2024, according to the airline’s press service, as reported by Kursiv Uzbekistan.

Over the past year, the company operated 1,200 flights. Its fleet was expanded with the addition of an Airbus A321neo. The workforce of Air Samarkand increased from 180 to 270 employees.

The airline launched flights to Jeddah, Medina, Sharm El-Sheikh, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and Phu Quoc. It also introduced regular flights to Istanbul and charter services to Dubai, Delhi, Dhaka, Islamabad, Batumi, and Tbilisi.

According to the airline, Uzbek passengers most frequently travelled to Jeddah, Vietnam...

Agricultural enterprises in Uzbekistan produced over 8.8 mn tonnes of grain in 2024, reflecting a 4.8% annual growth, the Statistics Agency reports.

Out of the total production:

The Fergana region led grain production with 998,500 tonnes, followed by the Samarkand region with 903,300 tonnes, and Kashkadarya with 893,500 tonnes.

The lowest production volumes were recorded in the Syrdarya region (578,400 tonnes), Karakalpakstan (345,500 tonnes), and the Navoi region (266,200 tonnes).

The Galaxy S25 Edge, unveiled at the Unpacked 2025 event, is expected to hit the market soon, Mobile Review reports.

The device has received certification from the Chinese regulator 3C and will support 25W fast charging. It will also feature a 6.7-inch display.

The smartphone will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the same chip used in the updated Galaxy S25 series.

Mobile Review highlighted that the Galaxy S25 Edge will not include a charger in its box.

The device is expected to have a slim profile, measuring just 6.4mm in thickness. Its main camera will include two lenses, one...

The social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is teetering on the edge of financial instability, with significant challenges in managing its debt obligations, The Verge reports, citing a letter from Elon Musk to employees.

In the letter, Musk described the company’s financial situation as critical, pointing to a steep decline in advertising revenue and sluggish growth in user numbers. He further revealed that major US banks are preparing to sell off $3 bn of X’s $13 bn debt to investors at a discounted rate.

Bank of America, Barclays, and Morgan Stanley reportedly plan to offer the debt at a 5-10% discount...

Manchester City head coach Josep Guardiola has commented on how he plans to communicate with Uzbek footballer Abdukodir Khusanov, sports journalist Fabrizio Romano reported.

“I’ll have to learn Russian or Uzbek to communicate with him. He doesn’t speak English,” Guardiola said.

On Saturday, January 25, Khusanov made his debut for Manchester City in a match against London’s Chelsea. He spent 54 minutes on the pitch and received a yellow card during the game.

Manchester City acquired Khusanov from French club RC Lens for €40 mn. The Uzbek footballer’s contract with the English team runs until 2029.

This season...

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has awarded the title of Honoured Artist of the Republic to opera singer Otabek Nazirov, the presidential press service reports.

The President commended Nazirov’s exceptional talent and artistry as a tenor with the State Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan. The honour recognises his contributions to the development of national opera, the promotion of classical music, and the strengthening of international cultural ties.

Otabek Nazirov, a graduate of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, has won several prestigious international competitions in recent years, including the Open Asia festival and the Turkish-Russian music competition Ca Maestoso.

Born in...

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov held an informal meeting at the Amirsoy resort, the Uzbek President’s press service reported.

During the meeting, Mirziyoyev and Japarov agreed to advance Uzbek-Kyrgyz joint projects aimed at developing resort centres, taking into account the landscape and natural diversity of both nations.

The leaders also discussed issues related to bilateral and regional cooperation, as well as international affairs.

It is worth noting that the «Amirsoy» ski resort, located in the Tashkent region, was inaugurated in 2019. Investments in the project amounted to €80 million, and the total area of the...

By the end of 2024, Uzbekistan’s permanent population reached 37.5 mn, marking a 2% increase compared to 2023, according to a report by the Statistics Agency.

As of early 2025, the country had 18.9 mn men and 18.6 mn women. Urban residents accounted for 51% of the population, while rural residents made up 49%.

The population density was recorded at 83.6 people per square kilometre. The highest density was observed in Tashkent, with over 6,900 people per square kilometre, followed by the Andijan region with 804.9, and the Fergana region with 613.1.

Birth rates in Uzbekistan declined by...