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Five prominent Palestinian religious leaders from Hebron, including Wadi al-Jaabari, have proposed the creation of a new local governance model — the «Hebron Emirates» — as an alternative to the Palestinian Authority. The Wall Street Journal reported the development, citing a letter addressed to Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat.

In the letter, the sheikhs offered to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, renounce support for terrorism and join the Abraham Accords — a regional normalisation initiative between Israel and several Arab countries. In return, they ask Israel to recognise the Hebron Emirates as the official representative of the Arab...

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has classified the 2014 arrest of Gulnara Karimova, daughter of Uzbekistan’s first president, as unlawful and arbitrary. The conclusion appears in a document published on the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

According to the report, authorities detained Karimova without a warrant and placed her under house arrest for 18 months along with her child. One court hearing reportedly took place in her kitchen on 21 August 2015.

«The judgment itself did not attempt to conceal that the hearing occurred...

Centrum Air redirected its Samarkand–St Petersburg flight to Helsinki due to airspace closure over Russia’s northern capital following a drone attack, the airline’s press service reported.

The company stated that updated information regarding the aircraft’s arrival time in St Petersburg would be announced later.

Centrum Air also notified passengers of several changes to its domestic flight schedule on 6 July. Flight C6091 from Tashkent to Urgench departed at 08:40 and landed at 10:10. The departure of flight C6094 from Urgench to Samarkand was moved to 10:40, while flight C6092 from Samarkand to Tashkent was rescheduled to 12:40.

Flight...

Authorities delayed UTair flight UT 881 from St Petersburg to Samarkand by 30 minutes due to temporary restrictions at Pulkovo Airport. The disruption followed an overnight drone attack in the Leningrad Region.

The flight was scheduled to depart at 11:05 local time but was rescheduled for 11:35, with boarding beginning at 10:55. According to official data, air defence systems intercepted three unmanned aerial vehicles overnight, prompting heightened security measures at the airport.

As a result, at least 11 flights were cancelled and more than 60 delayed.

Pulkovo has since resumed normal operations. Uzbekistan Airways is expected to...

OPEC+ has agreed to increase oil production quotas by 548,000 barrels per day in August 2025, according to the organisation’s press service. Analysts had expected a more modest rise of around 411,000 barrels per day.

The decision reflects the bloc’s view on the resilience of the global economy, steady energy demand and a decline in oil inventories worldwide. The move follows a gradual upward adjustment in production since April 2025.

Despite the planned quota increases, Brent crude prices climbed 5.1% over the past month. Market uncertainty intensified amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and a US airstrike...

Elon Musk has confirmed his intention to form a new political party, following the results of an online poll he conducted on X. The American billionaire said the party aims to challenge the current two-party system and block costly or disadvantageous legislation.

Musk stated that the new political force could secure two to three seats in the US Senate and up to ten in the House of Representatives. This, he believes, would be enough to make the party’s voice decisive in key debates between Republicans and Democrats.

He first floated the idea after a public disagreement with...

Uzbekistan’s national women’s football team have secured a place in the play-offs of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in 23 years after defeating Nepal, the Ministry of Sports reported.

The decisive match took place on 5 July at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent. Uzbekistan had previously beaten Sri Lanka and Laos. The fixture against Nepal was critical — the winner would qualify for the Cup while the loser would exit the tournament.

Uzbekistan took the lead in the opening minute with a goal by Diyorakhon Khabibullayeva, assisted by Feruza Turdiboyeva. Ten minutes later, Lyudmila Karachik...

Sotheby’s has auctioned a rare copy of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which abolished slavery, for $12 mln, My Weekend reports. Including fees, the total price reached $13.7 mln.

The document bears the signature of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. The 13th Amendment was passed by the US Senate in 1864 and by the House of Representatives in 1865.

Some US states only ratified the amendment decades later. Among them were Kentucky in 1976 and Mississippi in 1995.

The buyer, hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, also purchased a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation from...

Russia’s recognition of Afghanistan’s caretaker government has sparked cautious optimism among Afghan economic experts and business leaders, who see the move as a potential catalyst for regional trade and investment.

Currently, Afghanistan maintains over $300 mln in annual trade with Russia. With Moscow now officially recognising the Islamic Emirate, stakeholders anticipate the possibility of easing financial restrictions and re-establishing formal commercial channels.

According to Khanjan Alokozai, board member of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the decision marks a shift with economic implications.

«Recognition by a regional power like Russia could support both...

New figures from the Central Bank show that borrowing has become a common feature of household finances in Uzbekistan. As of June 1, 2025, over 5 mln citizens had at least one outstanding loan.

The data indicates a steady expansion of the consumer credit landscape. Among borrowers, 27% — or more than 1.4 mln people — now hold two or more loans. About 16% of total borrowers are managing exactly two.

Multi-loan borrowing is becoming increasingly common. Five years ago, just 5% of individuals had three or more loans. That figure has more than doubled to 11% in...

Mark Snow, the composer behind the unmistakable theme of The X-Files, has died at 78, Variety reports. No cause of death has been confirmed.

Snow scored more than 200 episodes of the series and created its iconic title music, which became a hallmark of 1990s television. His work helped shape the eerie atmosphere that defined the show’s legacy.

In addition to The X-Files, Snow composed for Smallville, which explored the early years of Superman, and contributed to Millennium, another mystery series developed by X-Files creator Chris Carter.

First airing in 1993, The X-Files followed FBI agents investigating paranormal cases and government coverups. The series ran until 2002 and returned...

Singapore sold 5 tonnes of gold in May 2025, surpassing Uzbekistan’s 1-tonne sale and taking the lead in monthly gold sales, according to the latest report from the World Gold Council (WGC).

Despite losing the top spot for May, Uzbekistan remains the leading seller of gold in the first five months of 2025, having sold a total of 27 tonnes. Singapore follows with 10 tonnes sold by early June.

Kazakhstan emerged as the most active gold buyer in May, with its central bank purchasing 7 tonnes. Since the start of the year, Kazakhstan has acquired 15 tonnes of gold...

Uzbek judoka Diyora Keldiyorova has joined the International Judo Federation (IJF) Athletes’ Commission for the 2025–2029 term, according to the Ministry of Sports of Uzbekistan.

The commission includes nine athletes, among them Azerbaijani judoka Hidayat Heydarov, who won gold at the Paris Olympics last year.

Keldiyorova became the first woman from Uzbekistan to win a gold medal in judo. She defeated Kosovo’s Distria Krasniqi in the final of an international tournament to secure the title.

The IJF Athletes’ Commission represents the interests of judokas and serves as a link between athletes and the federation’s leadership. It also...

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover reached new levels in January–May 2025, with China, Russia, and Kazakhstan ranking as the top three trading partners, according to the State Committee on Statistics.

China remains Uzbekistan’s largest trade partner with a total turnover of USD 5.4 bn. Russia follows with USD 4.8 bn, while Kazakhstan takes third place with USD 1.8 bn. These three countries continue to account for the highest share of Uzbekistan’s international trade activities.

Among other significant partners, Turkey recorded USD 1.1 bn in trade with Uzbekistan, while the Republic of Korea reached USD 709.8 mln. Afghanistan maintained its position...

The Termez Dialogue Forum was held for the first time in the city of Termez, aimed at strengthening ties between Central and South Asia. In connection with this event, the Center for Progressive Reforms produced a special documentary film. The forum was organized in cooperation with the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, the Center for Progressive Reforms, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The forum marked a practical outcome of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy course, which emphasizes open dialogue and regional cooperation. It was conducted within the framework of...

A UFC tournament will take place on the grounds of the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump announced, as reported by Fox News.

The mixed martial arts event is planned for 2026, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, and is expected to attract an audience of around 20,000–25,000 people.

«Anyone here watch UFC? The great Dana White (UFC president)? We’re going to host a UFC fight. Think about it — a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House. We’ve got a lot of land out there,» Trump said.

On July 4, during the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Khankendi, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif discussed ways to accelerate the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway.

Both leaders emphasised the project’s importance for strengthening transport connectivity between the two countries and gaining access to southern seaports.

The talks also covered the enhancement of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. They noted an increase in trade volume, the number of joint ventures, and direct flights between the two nations. Uzbek Trade Houses have recently opened in the Pakistani cities of...

As of July 7, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan has set the official exchange rate at 12,606.73 Uzbek soums per U.S. dollar, marking a daily increase of 49.17 soums, according to the regulator’s Telegram channel.

As of 16:00 on July 4, exchange offices at commercial banks were buying dollars at 12,495–12,580 soums and selling at 12,610–12,680 soums.

The Central Bank also set the Russian ruble at 159 soums and the euro at 14,849 soums.

At the same time, commercial banks were buying rubles at 90–150 soums and selling at 160–190 soums. The euro was being bought at 12,800–14,550 soums...

The winners of the second season of ‘Initiative Budget’ will be determined on 1 September. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The second season of the government’s Initiative Budget program will begin on July 15, according to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Citizens may submit proposals until August 3. The project selection phase will begin on August 4, followed by a promotion stage starting August 19. Voting on the projects will take place from August 22 to 31, and the winners will be announced on Independence Day — September 1.

Launched in...

On July 4, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), held in the city of Khankendi.

In his speech, the President highlighted current challenges in the areas of security and sustainable development. He emphasised the importance of resolving disputes and conflicts through diplomacy and noted that peace in the Middle East is impossible without a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Mirziyoyev proposed the adoption of a strategic framework titled Economic Partnership – 2035. Alongside traditional areas of cooperation, he stressed the need to expand collaboration in innovation, artificial...

The Central Asian region continues to experience uneven but generally moderate economic growth, according to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report released in June 2025. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan face a combination of weakening external demand, tighter global financial conditions and increasing climate risks.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s economic expansion is forecast to slow from 4.8% in 2024 to 4.5% in 2025 and further to 3.5% in 2026. The country continues to face weaker external demand, particularly from the euro area and China, which affects commodity exports. As a major energy exporter, Kazakhstan is...

What qualities make a true leader? What helps someone not only survive in an age of war and upheaval, but go on to inspire others, build empires and be remembered not just as a conqueror, but as a man of culture?

Zahir al-Din Muhammad Babur (1483–1530) — poet, strategist, memoirist and founder of the Baburid Dynasty (Mughal Empire) — offered clear answers. His Baburnama is not just an autobiography but a remarkable guide to leadership, decision-making and responsibility to one’s people and state.

In this article we have gathered eight timeless lessons in leadership drawn from Babur’s life — not...

Central banks worldwide increased their gold reserves by a net 20 tonnes in May, according to newly released data from the World Gold Council. While this figure marks a slight rise from April, it remains below the 12-month average of 27 tonnes, reflecting a more measured pace of accumulation.

The National Bank of Kazakhstan led global purchases in May, adding 7 tonnes of gold to its reserves, bringing its total holdings to 299 tonnes. Since the start of 2025, Kazakhstan has expanded its gold reserves by 15 tonnes.

Turkey and Poland followed closely, each acquiring 6 tonnes. Notably, the...

On July 1, a permanent showroom under the brand Made in Uzbekistan began operations at the Turkish Trade Centre in Baku, according to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade.

The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Khurram Teshabayev and Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Samed Bashirli.

The showroom takes up 1,500-square metre space and features products from Uzbekistan’s light and electrical industries, as well as furniture, construction materials, leather goods and textiles.

As part of the event, an agreement was signed between Okuglu Holding and the O‘zsanoatqurilishmateriallari Association for...