News

A controlled gas release has been reported at the Muynak gas field in Karakalpakstan during exploratory drilling, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy confirmed on July 26.

Methane Leak Occurred at 4,707 Metres

The incident took place while drilling the first exploratory well, designed to reach a depth of 5,000 metres. The leak occurred when gas began to escape at 4,707 metres, exceeding expected pressure levels.

In response, emergency teams are working to seal the well and stabilise pressure, following all established safety protocols.

No Hydrogen Sulphide, No Threat to Public

According to the ministry, the gas released is pure methane, free of hydrogen sulphide.

Afghanistan has reported that more than 700,000 of its citizens were expelled from Iran in just one month, triggering urgent calls from Kabul for closer coordination and humanitarian support.

Afghan Authorities Demand Respectful Process

The Commission for Refugee Affairs expressed concern over how the deportations were carried out, urging Iranian officials to work transparently with Afghanistan to avoid chaos at the borders.

Spokesperson Ahmadullah Wasiq said the treatment of Afghan nationals by Iran fell short of international norms. He stressed that if roles were reversed, Afghanistan would have been prepared to offer refuge.

Border Arrivals in Distress

Thousands arriving at the Islam Qala crossing were...

Uzbekistan imported a record amount of natural gas from Russia and Turkmenistan in the first half of 2025, according to official data from the State Statistics Committee.

Imports Outpace Exports

Between January and June, Uzbekistan’s total gas imports reached $571.8 mln — despite a 30% decline year-on-year.

The highest monthly volume came in June ($286.3 mln), following a gradual rise from $2.7 mln in March and $8 mln in February.

Gas Exports to China Surge

Over the same period, Uzbekistan exported $354.9 mln worth of gas to China — a 50% increase.

Monthly shipments peaked at $105.4 mln in April, before slowing to $66.9 mln in June.

Discrepancies with...

On 25 July 2025, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proposed by Tajikistan, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of Central Asia. The initiative was introduced by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Regional AI Centre to Open in Dushanbe

The resolution includes the creation of a Regional Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Dushanbe. The centre will coordinate AI integration efforts across Central Asian countries.

Main Objectives of the AI Centre

On Sunday, July 27, residents of Uzbekistan’s capital can expect a slight break from the intense heat. According to Uzhydromet, daytime temperatures in Tashkent will range between +35°C and +37°C. No rainfall is expected.

Wind Gusts and Dust Drifts in Lowlands

Winds in the city will blow at speeds of 3–8 m/s, with occasional gusts reaching up to 12 m/s. This may lead to the formation of localised dust drifts, especially in dry and exposed areas.

Across Uzbekistan: Hot and Mostly Dry

Most regions across the country will remain hot and dry. Temperatures are forecast between +33°C...

Telegram may soon launch a user rating system within its platform. According to Durov’s Code, users will be able to view their account level by tapping a special icon in the interface. A notification will then appear stating, «Profile level reflects the reliability of the user’s payments,» along with a link to an article about Telegram Stars.

The feature is currently being rolled out gradually on a test server.

While the full purpose of the rating system remains unclear, there are several likely scenarios. Firstly, it may be used to indicate a user’s payment activity or trustworthiness, potentially granting access...

Uzbekistan’s passport has improved its standing in the 2025 global passport index published by Henley & Partners, rising six spots to reach 74th place. As of this year, Uzbek citizens can travel visa-free to 62 countries.

The inclusion of China in the list of visa-free destinations helped offset the recent removal of Mauritania. The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and reflects the number of countries passport holders can enter without a visa.

Singapore once again tops the index, offering its citizens visa-free access to 193 countries. Japan and South Korea follow closely...

Kyrgyzstan has handed over three snow leopards to the Snow Leopard Centre located in the Altai Mountains as part of efforts to reintroduce and strengthen the local population, announced the republic’s Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev, RIA news agency reports.

“This is not merely a symbolic gesture but a contribution to the sustainability of the Altai-Sayan ecosystem,” he said during an international environmental conference.

According to the Prime Minister, Kyrgyzstan is actively engaged in protecting the snow leopard population, which now numbers over 500 species. To preserve...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently reviewed a presentation on new approaches to the nation’s employment system and vocational education.

The newly established system for reducing poverty, along with targeted funding, is already showing positive results, as of July 1, the national poverty rate has fallen to 6.8%.

Since the beginning of the year, models inspired by international best practices have been implemented. For example, the banking sector has increased cooperation with local communities (mahallas) to support job creation. In just the first half of the year over three million people were engaged in income-generating work.

Improving the quality of vocational...

Since December 2024, UzAuto Motors Powertrain has commenced exporting CSS Prime cylinder blocks to Latin America. The total shipment volume reaches 40,000 units, valued at $4.9 mln.

Notably, UzAuto Motors Powertrain stands out as a unique manufacturing hub in the region. It is currently the first and only plant in Central Asia to offer a full engine production cycle — from producing aluminium castings to final machining and assembly. This comprehensive approach significantly reduces logistics costs and enables the company to maintain production costs 10 to 20 percent lower than comparable manufacturers in other countries.

The company has been...

French luxury conglomerate LVMH, under the leadership of Bernard Arnault, is currently engaged in confidential discussions with multiple potential buyers regarding the sale of its fashion label Marc Jacobs, Reuters reports.

Among the interested parties are Authentic Brands Group, which owns Reebok, and WHP Global, though these companies have remained tight-lipped on the ongoing talks. Additionally, Bluestar Alliance, known for owning Brookstone, has emerged as another contender to acquire the Marc Jacobs brand. According to the Wall Street Journal, the label’s valuation could reach around $1 bn.

Neither LVMH, Marc Jacobs, nor Bluestar Alliance immediately responded to requests for...

Dry and hot conditions are expected across Uzbekistan today, on July 26. Winds will blow at 7–12 m/s, with occasional gusts increasing to 13–18 m/s and dusty low-level winds. Daytime temperatures will range from 35°C to 40°C.

In Tashkent, the capital, the weather will remain dry. Winds are forecast at 3–8 m/s, with possible gusts of up to 10–12 m/s accompanied by dust. Temperatures are expected to reach between 38°C and 40°C.

In the mountainous areas, dry weather is also forecast. Wind speeds will range from 7–12 m/s, with some areas potentially experiencing stronger gusts of 13–18 m/s. Temperatures...

Several banks have updated the rates for exchanging foreign currencies for UZS on July 26. This article contains information about the most favorable rates.

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

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

Financial institutions may change the value of currencies...

After a strong fifth-place finish in the 2024/25 Premier League season, Aston Villa are reportedly setting their sights on Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United, a player widely dubbed the «Cristiano Ronaldo regen.»

The 21-year-old Argentine winger has caught Villa’s attention for his flair, dribbling, and two-footed finishing — traits that could bring much-needed creativity to Villa Park. However, the club may struggle to meet United’s asking price.

With Ollie Watkins attracting interest from United, a potential sale could help Villa finance a move for Garnacho, though Chelsea are also said to be in the race for the young talent.

Villa...

Former Top Gear presenter Steve Berry has revealed he «never got along» with Jeremy Clarkson, describing him as a «massive show-off and egotist» during an interview with Al Arabiya News.

Berry, who hosted the BBC motoring show before Clarkson, Hammond, and May made it a global hit, recalled a tense first impression:

«He turned up two hours late to a shoot, while I arrived early to impress. The crew was fuming.»

Despite their differences, Berry admitted Clarkson’s bold personality was part of his appeal to TV executives. Off-camera, he said Clarkson is «a...

Uzbekistan has taken a major step towards strengthening its ties with Sri Lanka through the official appointment of its first ambassador to the island nation, as reported by Dunyo.

Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, who is based in Islamabad, formally presented copies of his credentials to Rohan Ambagolla, Chief of State Protocol at Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting marked a historic moment in bilateral relations.

Rohan Ambagolla expressed his sincere appreciation to the Uzbek leadership for this diplomatic milestone, calling it a significant political decision that will give fresh momentum to relations between the two countries. He underlined...

At 58, Pamela Anderson continues to captivate red carpets with timeless elegance. The actress made headlines during the London premiere of The Naked Gun, where she appeared alongside co-star Liam Neeson in a breathtaking strapless gown — and completely makeup-free, announced by Grazia.

Anderson chose a custom violet dress by Oscar de la Renta, perfectly complementing her fair skin and signature blonde hair. The form-fitting gown embraced current luxury fashion trends with a monochrome palette and a classic silhouette. Its bustier design highlighted her neckline and bare shoulders, while the sculpted waist — reminiscent of Hervé Léger’s bandage...

Uzbekistan is expanding its presence in Eurasian logistics, seeking to evolve from a simple transit territory into a key player in international transport. At the heart of this strategy lies the development of the Middle Corridor — an alternative route between China and Europe that bypasses Russia.

These insights are drawn from the report “Prospects of the Middle Corridor: A Central Asian and Azerbaijani Perspective” (in possession of Kursiv Uzbekistan), produced by experts from five countries as part of a project initiated by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport with support from the PeaceNexus Foundation.

Uzbekistan’s Rise as a Regional Transport...

Just moments before the sprint finish of Stage 17 of the 2025 Tour de France in Valence, a dramatic scene unfolded when a CRS officer tackled an amateur cyclist attempting to cross the finish line ahead of the approaching peloton, as reported by BFM TV.

The incident occurred only minutes before Jonathan Milan claimed victory, narrowly beating Jordi Meeus. According to AFP photographers on site, the man, wearing a black helmet and a Decathlon, AG2R La Mondiale jersey, tried to breach the race route but was forcefully intercepted by a CRS officer, who brought him to the ground before...

Uzbekistan Airports, the national airport operator, has concluded the first six months of 2025 with marked growth across all key metrics. The company reported a 10% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic, with 7,059,084 travellers handled at the country’s international airports. This included 5.8 mln international passengers and 1.25 mln domestic travellers.

Flight activity also rose significantly. In total, 59,960 flights were serviced from January to June, reflecting a 12% rise compared to the same period in 2024. Of these, 42,407 were international flights while 17,553 were domestic routes.

According to Uzbekistan Airports, this growth was...

A video clip from Stage 18 of the 2025 Tour de France is going viral on social media, showing French cyclist Lenny Martinez potentially using a controversial and unofficial maneuver known as the “sticky bottle” technique — a tactic that could lead to disciplinary action if confirmed, as reported by Purepeople.

Martinez, currently wearing the polka dot jersey as the top climber in the 112th edition of the Tour, was seen approaching his team car to collect a water bottle during the climb up the Col du Glandon. However, footage shared by Eurosport appears to show the rider holding...

The economies of Central Asia and the Caucasus are expected to expand by 5.5% in 2025, according to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) July economic outlook. This marks a slight upward revision from the bank’s April forecast, which had projected 5.4% growth. The improved outlook is attributed to increased oil production and resilient domestic demand across the region.

However, growth is expected to moderate to 5.1% in 2026, as external conditions become more challenging. The ADB noted that, despite the overall positive trajectory, the region remains exposed to global uncertainties that could affect medium-term performance.

Asia-Pacific Outlook Weakened...

The 27th season of South Park has premiered with a provocative episode that takes aim at former US President Donald Trump and entertainment giant Paramount, its own parent company. The episode, titled Sermon on the ’Mount, satirises Paramount’s recent decision to pay a $16 mln settlement to Trump, just as the studio sought federal approval for a multibillion-dollar merger. South Park’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, use the episode to deliver one of their most direct and uncompromising critiques in years.

True to South Park’s hallmark style of topical humour and rapid production, the episode presents a hyperbolised...

Algeria has strongly condemned France’s decision to restrict travel for several high-ranking Algerian officials, calling it a “serious violation” of diplomatic norms and threatening to escalate the dispute to the United Nations, as reported by BFM TV.

The move by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau came after Algeria refused to accept the return of 120 of its nationals subject to deportation from France under OQTF (orders to leave French territory). In response, Algeria announced it would enforce strict reciprocity and accused France of breaching the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

In a statement released Thursday, Algeria’s Foreign Ministry...