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Uzbekistan has introduced legislative amendments aimed at strengthening the role of the parliamentary opposition, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

Under the new rules, opposition members in the Legislative Chamber may now be appointed as chairpersons of committees and deputy chairs in two parliamentary committees.

The reforms also grant opposition parties the right to propose alternative versions of draft laws before the second reading, and to raise questions during government hour and submit parliamentary inquiries on a quarterly basis.

In the 2024 parliamentary elections, UzLiDeP received 34.75% of the vote, followed by Milliy Tiklanish with 18.82%, Adolat with 16.20%, the...

A replica of a two-tonne bronze cauldron dating back to the reign of Amir Temur (Tamerlan) will be crafted for the Islamic Civilisation Centre in Tashkent, according to the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularisation of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan.

The original cauldron was commissioned by Amir Temur in 1399 and is currently housed in the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Kazakhstan.

With a capacity of approximately 3,000 litres, the cauldron is adorned with intricate Persian and Arabic calligraphy, featuring praises to Allah, as well as verses from the Quran and hadiths.

During Amir Temur’s...

India’s state-run oil companies have stopped buying Russian crude over the past week, citing tighter discounts and growing political pressure from the United States, Reuters reports.

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has become the leading buyer of seaborne Russian oil since 2022. However, recent shifts in global pricing and diplomatic signals appear to be reshaping procurement strategies.

Officials close to purchasing plans at four major state refiners — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemical — confirmed they have made no new requests for Russian oil in the last several days.

Refiners...

Uzbekistan has received advanced radiation control equipment valued at approximately $1 mln from the United States Department of Energy.

The handover ceremony involved US Ambassador Jonathan Henick, officials from Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee and representatives of American government agencies.

The delivery includes fixed and vehicle-mounted radiation detectors designed to help customs officers identify and prevent the illegal transport of radioactive materials across Uzbekistan’s borders.

In addition to the equipment, a new protective shelter has been completed at the Gulbahor customs post. The structure will shield personnel, vehicles and devices from adverse weather, ensuring uninterrupted operations. The project was carried out...

Justin Timberlake has revealed he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition he described as both mentally and physically draining. The announcement came via Instagram on Thursday, shortly after the singer completed the final leg of his Forget Tomorrow world tour in Turkey.

In a reflective message to fans, the former NSYNC frontman admitted that the diagnosis left him contemplating whether to cancel the remainder of the tour. However, he ultimately chose to continue performing, saying the joy he draws from the stage outweighed the physical toll. “I’m so glad I kept going,” he wrote.

Tour Challenges...

Jason Momoa has undergone a striking transformation, shaving off his beard for the first time in six years as he prepares to return in Dune: Part Three. In a recent Instagram video, the actor is seen shaving outdoors and reacting in real time to the change. «Damn it! I hate it,» he says with a grimace.

Reflecting on the last time he was clean-shaven, Momoa recalled filming the first Dune film and launching his eco-friendly bottled water brand, Mananalu, back in 2019.

«Only for you, Denis,» he added, addressing director Denis Villeneuve.

Daytime weather across most of Uzbekistan on August 1 is expected to remain dry. However, isolated areas within the Fergana Valley may experience short periods of rain and thunderstorms.

Wind speeds will generally range from 7 to 12 m/s, occasionally strengthening to 13–16 m/s and bringing dust along with them. Temperatures are forecast to reach between 32 and 37°C.

In Tashkent, no rainfall is anticipated throughout the day. Winds are expected at 5–10 m/s, potentially increasing to 12–15 m/s by evening, with blowing dust in some areas. Temperatures will hover between 35 and 37°C.

In mountainous regions, brief showers...

Several banks have updated the rates for exchanging foreign currencies for UZS on August 1. 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...

Microsoft is betting big on the future of artificial intelligence—investing over $100 bn in capital expenditures for the coming year, while raking in stronger-than-expected earnings that sent its stock soaring, reports the Guardian.

Microsoft, now the world’s second-most valuable company, reported blockbuster fiscal Q4 results on Wednesday, surpassing Wall Street expectations for the fifth consecutive quarter. The company posted $76.4 bn in revenue, an 18% year-over-year jump, and earnings per share of $3.65, beating analyst estimates of $73.81 bn and $3.37, respectively.

As demand for cloud computing and AI infrastructure skyrockets, Microsoft says it will boost capital spending by...

Legendary game designer Hideo Kojima has made it clear he won’t be playing Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, the upcoming remake of the iconic 2004 game he originally directed. When asked about it during a recent interview with Ssense, Kojima simply laughed and said, «No, I won’t.»

Kojima, the mastermind behind Metal Gear and Death Stranding, departed Konami in 2015 following a well-publicized fallout. Since then, fans have speculated about lingering tensions, especially as Konami moves forward with reviving some of Kojima’s signature titles without his involvement.

Although Kojima rarely plays games these days, he prefers museums and...

Ethereum (ETH) has surged 56% in the past month, but traders aren’t convinced a rally past $4,000 is coming soon. Despite steady inflows into ETH spot ETFs, derivatives data shows muted enthusiasm, with the perpetual futures funding rate falling to 9%, down from 19% earlier this week, reports Coin Telegraph.

«The absence of leverage appetite is notable given how much ETH has risen since early July,» one analyst noted. Currently, ETH trades around $3,791.

Investor caution may stem from weakening on-chain metrics. Ethereum’s total value locked (TVL) fell 11% in the last month, reaching a five-month low, while Solana...

The White House released its much-anticipated crypto policy report this week, offering a broad framework for digital asset regulation but leaving Bitcoin advocates disappointed. Notably absent was any update on the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve first announced by executive order on March 6, reports Cointelegraph.

While the 166-page report references Bitcoin as the foundational digital asset, the only mention of the reserve is a brief note reiterating the original order.

«Markets were watching for leadership and instead got ambiguity,» said CJ Burnett, CRO of Compass Mining. He called the lack of action a «missed opportunity...

The peloton of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift heads into the mountains today, with Stage 6 covering a grueling 123.7km route from Clermont-Ferrand to Ambert. The stage is packed with four categorized climbs and over 2,300 meters of elevation, making it one of the toughest tests yet.

Starting in the vibrant Place de Jaude in the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, the route rolls through the Puy-de-Dôme region before things turn serious near Courpière. Riders will tackle the Col du Béal (10.2km at 5.6%), followed quickly by the Col de Chansert (6.3km at 5.5%) and Côte de Valcivières—all within...

On 30 July, a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami alerts and emergency evacuations across the Pacific Rim — from Japan and Russia to Chile, Hawaii, and California.

The quake, among the strongest recorded since Japan’s devastating 2011 tsunami, occurred offshore near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, causing buildings to sway and minor damage in Russia’s Far East. Videos showed doctors continuing surgery mid-quake, and minor injuries were reported as people fled to safety.

Tsunami waves quickly followed. The Kuril Islands saw waves up to 5 meters, while Japan issued widespread evacuation orders affecting over ...

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the company is now on track to develop «superintelligence,» as it ramps up investments in AI talent and infrastructure.

«Over the last few months we have begun to see glimpses of our AI systems improving themselves… Developing superintelligence is now in sight,» Zuckerberg wrote in a memo ahead of Meta’s Q2 earnings.

Unlike competitors, Meta is focused on building “personal superintelligence for everyone”, rather than just automating labour. He warned the technology will pose «novel safety concerns» and said the company must be «rigorous about mitigating these risks.»

Despite massive...

FC Barcelona produced a commanding attacking display in Seoul today, on July 31, leading FC Seoul 7–3 as the match entered its final quarter. The friendly, held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, drew nearly 63,000 spectators and featured high-profile performances from both sides. Among those in attendance were members of K-pop group ITZY, who were spotted in the stands enjoying the spectacle.

Early Dominance from the Visitors

Barcelona wasted no time establishing control. In the 10th minute, Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring after a quick attack involving Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal. The 16-year-old Yamal then doubled...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan, acting as the national coordinator, has developed a comprehensive national policy to implement the international We-Finance Code initiative. This strategic document is designed to establish an institutional framework that promotes a supportive environment for the growth of women’s entrepreneurship across Uzbekistan.

The new policy aims to unify relevant public and private stakeholders in creating a resilient ecosystem that encourages gender-responsive financial policies grounded in data. It also seeks to elevate Uzbekistan’s international reputation by advancing successful reforms and adopting global best practices. Participants in the initiative will gain access to international partnerships, innovative tools...

Aston Martin Lagonda is preparing to sell its minority stake in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team, with the transaction expected to close in Q3 2025. The deal, valued at £110 mln, places the Silverstone-based team’s overall worth at more than £2.4 bn, according to Bloomberg.

The sale aligns with Aston Martin Lagonda’s strategy to boost liquidity and follows its March announcement to offload shares. The brand will continue to sponsor the F1 team through a long-term commercial agreement, maintaining the “Aston Martin” name in the championship.

Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree Investments, already the team’s majority backer, is increasing...

Uzbekistan is set to launch the construction of toll roads connecting its capital Tashkent with the cities of Andijan and Samarkand from next year, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s three-year fiscal strategy.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to upgrade key international highways across the country. Funding for the project is expected to come from global financial institutions.

Alongside road development, the government is preparing to roll out a high-speed rail link between Tashkent and Samarkand. Authorities are also planning a new rail route connecting Nukus and Bukhara.

Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov previously stated...

As the academic season approaches, Google has unveiled a major update to its AI Mode in Search, introducing new tools designed to help users — whether students, educators or just curious minds — navigate complex topics and manage information more effectively.

Now available on desktop, the new AI Mode button on the Google homepage offers a gateway to a set of features that combine search intelligence with personalised assistance.

Search Smarter with PDFs and Images

Already available in the Google app for Android and iOS, AI Mode now lets desktop users ask detailed questions about images, and soon...

On July 30, 2025, a roundtable on Uzbekistan’s low-carbon strategy and green energy certification was held at the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies. Representatives from government, international bodies, banks and the private sector gathered to discuss carbon neutrality by 2055 and the use of renewable energy certificates.

Participants also addressed the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will impose carbon taxes on certain imports starting January 1, 2026. I-REC certificates could help Uzbek exporters maintain access to the European market by proving clean energy usage.

Texnopark Registers First Solar Station

A key outcome was the agreement...

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan has signed a decree introducing a temporary state monopoly on the supply and provision of international internet traffic. The order, which comes into effect on August 15, 2025 and remains valid for one year, hands exclusive control to ElCat, a telecommunications company nationalised four months ago.

Under the decree, all domestic telecom and internet service providers are required to transfer their agreements and international connectivity contracts to ElCat. Operators have been given a two-month window to complete the transition.

Although the government has not yet specified how the monopoly will be enforced or what...

Yandex Uzbekistan has announced the launch of an enhanced version of its search engine, Yandex Search, now equipped with neural networks trained specifically on the Uzbek language.

According to a statement shared with Kursiv by the company’s press office, the update significantly improves the engine’s ability to understand Uzbek-language queries and deliver relevant content from across the internet.

The upgraded system also includes translation features, enabling users to convert Russian and English content into Uzbek. As a result, over 11.6 mln texts are now available to Uzbek-speaking users through the platform.

Users can also access a dedicated Yandex AI option...

Toyota has announced record-breaking global sales and production figures for the first six months of 2025, buoyed by continued demand across key markets such as North America, Japan and China. The company, which remains the world’s largest automaker, saw global sales rise by 5.5% year-on-year to over 5.1 mln vehicles from January to June.

A key contributor to this growth was Toyota’s hybrid line-up, which accounted for roughly 43% of all units sold during the period. The firm also reported a 5.8% year-on-year increase in global vehicle production, reaching 4.9 mln units. These figures include the output and sales...