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James Howells, the British IT worker who accidentally threw away a hard drive containing the private key to 8,000 Bitcoin in 2013, has described losing his final legal bid to retrieve it as «gut-wrenching», as reported by Mirror.

At today’s Bitcoin prices, the lost drive is now worth nearly £700 mln. Howells has spent over a decade trying to recover it from the Docksway landfill in Newport, Wales, where it was mistakenly discarded by his then-girlfriend, Hafina Eddy-Evans.

Despite reports suggesting he had given up, Howells insists he still believes the hard drive could be recovered, though Newport City...

Uzbekistan’s Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection has designated Allmedia Safe Service as a dominant digital platform in the country’s online streaming market, according to an official statement from the agency.

The company operates Allplay, a widely used streaming service that also offers digital TV access and advertising solutions. Its content is available via monthly subscription and includes popular TV series from platforms such as Amediateka and Premier.

Following this designation, Allmedia Safe Service will now be subject to specific antitrust obligations. The platform will be prohibited from engaging in practices that may restrict competition, such...

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended his proposal to recognise a Palestinian state, saying the move is aimed at addressing the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reviving hopes for a two-state solution, as reported by The Independent.

Speaking to Channel 5, Starmer said there was a «sense of revulsion» among the British public over the suffering in Gaza and confirmed that the UK is prepared to formally recognise a Palestinian state as early as September, unless Israel meets a series of conditions. These include the implementation of a ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid and a credible pathway...

Premier League giants Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign young goalkeeper Abdulla Al-Hammadi, as the club continues its ambitious summer rebuild under manager Ruben Amorim, as reported by The Football Deck.

The 20-year-old former Al Wasl player had recently been on trial with Everton but has now been offered a permanent contract by United. While Al-Hammadi is not expected to feature regularly in the first team, he is seen as a strategic addition to strengthen the club’s goalkeeping depth following the departure of Hubert Graczyk earlier this summer.

United’s goalkeeping situation has come under scrutiny after...

The South Korean government will establish a comprehensive support system covering working conditions, industrial safety, and employment services for all foreign workers. This was announced by Labour Minister Kim Young-hoon during the EPS 2025 conference, which focused on improving the country’s employment system for migrant workers.

According to the minister, the authorities will uphold a zero-tolerance policy toward violations of migrant rights and will strengthen efforts to prevent workplace injuries. Plans also include improving housing conditions, expanding access to consultations and providing various forms of daily life support.

The EPS 2025 conference took place on August 6 in Seoul...

According to the figures released by Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, the country exported a total of 130,600 tonnes of watermelons between January and June 2025. The exports generated $29.9 mln in revenue.

This represents a significant increase of 52,700 tonnes compared to the same period in 2024.

The bulk of Uzbekistan’s watermelon exports went to neighbouring and regional markets, with the following countries receiving the highest volumes during the six-month period:

In the first seven months of 2025, the officially recognised segment of Uzbekistan’s taxi market recorded a turnover exceeding 5 trln sums ($399.9 mln), marking a substantial rise in the scale and formalisation of the sector.

A total of 215 taxi aggregators are now integrated with the tax authorities’ information systems, up from 155 at the end of 2024. These platforms facilitated an impressive 262.2 mln trips across the country.

Of the total turnover, 3.6 trln sums ($287.9 mln), or 72.2% were paid in cash. While 1.4 trln sums ($112 mln), or 27.8% were processed via cashless payments. The...

Uzbekistan and Indonesia have entered into a wide-ranging aviation agreement aimed at expanding air connectivity between the two countries. The deal, signed during recent negotiations in Jakarta, removes longstanding restrictions and significantly increases flight rights for both nations.

Under the new arrangement, the two sides agreed to lift all limits on the number of airlines permitted to operate between Uzbekistan and Indonesia. Airlines designated by Uzbekistan can now serve not only Jakarta but also a broader network of Indonesian cities, including Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya, Medan, Yogyakarta, Majalengka, Banda Aceh, Tanjung Pandan and Lombok.

Conversely, carriers appointed by Indonesia will...

Uzbekistan’s Competition Committee has reviewed and approved a takeover application submitted by Multinational Mining Group Overseas PTE Ltd, a company registered in Singapore.

The firm, which specialises in holding operations and corporate investments, intends to acquire 100% of the shares in Multinational Mine Group LLC FE, a company involved in mineral exploration and engineering research in Uzbekistan.

Following a detailed analysis by the Committee’s Special Commission, it was determined that the transaction would not negatively affect competition in the relevant market.

As a result, the Committee granted formal approval for the acquisition to proceed.

Kursiv also reports that...

Jennifer Lopez’s much-anticipated concert takes place today at Milliy Stadium (Bunyodkor Stadium) in Tashkent. To make your experience smooth and stress-free, take a moment to review the entrance map before you arrive.

There are four main entrances to the stadium, each assigned to specific ticket zones:

As of July 1, 2025, Uzbekistan had 73,600 registered electric vehicles, according to the country’s National Statistics Committee. This marks a 12.9% increase compared to the end of the first quarter of the year.

The vast majority of electric cars, 55,800 units, or roughly two thirds, are based in Tashkent city, making it the clear leader in EV adoption.

Tashkent region ranks second with 5,300 electric vehicles, followed by Samarkand region with 2,100.

Completing the top five are the Khorezm and Kashkadarya regions. At the other end of the spectrum, Surkhandarya recorded the lowest number of electric vehicles, with...

Dry and sunny conditions are expected throughout Uzbekistan on Wednesday, August 7, with no precipitation in the forecast.

Winds will range between 7 to 12 m/s, and may strengthen to 13–16 m/s in desert regions, occasionally accompanied by dusty low-level winds. Daytime temperatures across most regions are expected to rise to between 33 and 38°C.

In Tashkent, the weather will also remain clear and dry, with gentle winds of 3–8 m/s and temperatures reaching 35 to 37°C.

Mountainous areas will see similar dry conditions, with wind speeds of 7–12 m/s, and potential gusts up to 16 m/s in certain...

American pop icon Jennifer Lopez has arrived in Uzbekistan for her highly anticipated concert in Tashkent, according to the Telegram channel Chronicles of Tashkent Skies.

Her Boeing 737-548 flight landed at Tashkent International Airport late on the evening of August 6, following a direct journey from Istanbul.

The superstar is scheduled to perform on the evening of August 7 at the Milliy Stadium (formerly Bunyodkor Stadium), one of the capital’s largest open-air venues.

Tickets Still Available for Tashkent Show

Tickets for the concert can still be purchased via the iTicket platform, the official ticket distributor. Entry to the...

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 7. This article contains information about the most favourable rates.

Here are Central Bank Reference Rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

Several banks offer the best rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

Financial institutions may change the value...

China National Gold Group, a state-owned Chinese enterprise, has expressed interest in investing in the geological exploration of promising mineral deposits in Uzbekistan, according to the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade (MIIT).

A memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Chinese side. In addition to mineral exploration, China National Gold Group plans to develop local production, introduce advanced technologies, train specialists, and attract investors.

China National Gold Group is the largest gold mining company in China. Its operations span exploration, mining, and processing of gold and other valuable minerals.

Back in 2012, the company acquired a mine...

From January to June 2025, developers in Tashkent announced 17 new residential projects across comfort, business, and premium segments, totalling 932,000 square meters of floor space, according to the Commonwealth Partnership (CMWP).

This figure represents an 8% increase in total project area compared to the same period last year, although the number of projects remained relatively unchanged.

CMWP analysts note that the capital’s real estate market has entered a recovery phase. This trend is most evident in the significant growth of project volume in the business (+217%) and comfort (+52%) classes. Analysts expect a rebound in demand for higher-end...

On August 6, the official White House website published an executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump imposing an additional 25% tariff on all imports from India.

The order states that all goods imported into the United States from India will now be subject to this extra duty.

The decision comes in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, whether directly or through intermediaries.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Uzbekistan’s Tax Committee reported that cafés, restaurants, hotels, tour operators and livestock farms had received a total of 33 bn sums ($2.6 mln) in VAT refunds through targeted government support schemes.

The Uzbekistan Boxing Federation has responded to social media reports alleging that boxer Lazizbek Mullajonov tested positive for doping and may be stripped of his Olympic gold medal from the Paris Games.

In an official statement, the federation dismissed the rumors as unfounded, emphasizing that Mullajonov has consistently complied with anti-doping regulations. According to the statement, all of his previous tests had been clean.

However, in June, Mullajonov underwent routine testing, and the International Testing Agency (ITA) reportedly detected prohibited substances in his sample.

The federation explained that following the Olympics, Mullajonov had undergone a hair transplant procedure...

In 2025, Kashkadarya region is set to implement 50 new projects aimed at localising production, with a total investment of 1.03 trillion soums, according to the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR).

These projects are expected to reduce imports by $80 mln and create 385 new jobs.

Among the major initiatives is the launch of metal equipment and product manufacturing in the Kasbi district. The project is being implemented by Rapid Rais Texnoprom. Total investment: $25 mln. Planned production capacity: 3,200 tons per year. Projected exports: $4 mln.

Another project involves the production of polyethylene in Karshi. This will...

Muzaffar Rakhimjanov, Deputy Head of the Department at the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, explained why the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan project on Lake Charvak is important for regional development.

The project had previously generated broad public concern. People expressed fears that it could harm the environment, restrict public access to the lake, or become a financial burden on the state budget.

According to Rakhimjanov, Charvak is one of Uzbekistan’s major tourist destinations. For this reason, the government sought a large and reliable investor capable of implementing a comprehensive project — including parks, schools, hospitals, sewage systems...

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has approved a new regulation governing the formation and implementation of so-called “driver projects”, regional initiatives aimed at boosting industrial, service and agricultural development through local resource utilization.

According to the government decree, regional and city hokimiyats (administrations) will now be responsible for preparing these driver projects annually by November 1. Once developed, the projects are submitted to local authorities and then forwarded to the Ministry of Economy and Finance for evaluation within 10 working days.

A follow-up on-site review of the proposed initiatives must be completed within the next 15 working days...

A section of Nemat Street in Tashkent’s Mirzo-Ulugbek district will be temporarily closed to traffic, the city administration has announced.

The closure will begin at 7:00 on August 7 and last until 7:00 on August 8. The affected stretch runs from Boiler House No. 1 to Shakhriabad Street and is being shut down due to drainage pipe replacement works.

Drivers are advised to plan ahead and use alternative routes during this period.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in collaboration with the Association of Young Architects of Uzbekistan, has announced the launch of the National Green...

UzAuto Motors’ net profit dropped by 27.5% in the first six months of 2025, reaching 1.4 trln UZS ($111.7 mln), according to the company’s published financial report.

Despite this, revenue rose by 9.5%, totalling 21.2 trln UZS ($1.7 bn). The company also saw a 23.5% increase in retained earnings, which reached 11.2 trln UZS ($894.2 mln) by the end of June.

Interest income and gains from foreign exchange differences also showed growth during the period. Meanwhile, administrative expenses fell by 4.6%, amounting to 755.6 bn UZS ($60.3 mln).

Over the six-month period, UzAuto Motors paid 309.7 bn UZS...

A dangerous new class of synthetic opioids, nitazenes,is spreading rapidly across the globe. Developed initially as painkillers in the 1950s, nitazenes were never approved for medical use due to their extreme potency. Today, they’re being used as illicit narcotics, often mixed into other substances without users’ knowledge, leading to a wave of overdoses and deaths, as reported by Meduza.

Nitazenes: The New Drug Deadlier Than Heroin or Fentanyl

Nitazenes were first synthesised by Swiss pharmaceutical company Ciba (now Novartis) in the 1950s. Although intended as pain relievers, their medical use was halted early on due to their extreme...