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On the evening of August 31, Niagara Falls will be illuminated in the colours of the Uzbek and Kyrgyz flags to commemorate the 34th anniversary of independence. The announcement was made on the official website of the landmark.

At 10:30 p.m. local time (August 31), corresponding to 7:30 a.m. on September 1 in Tashkent, the falls will glow in blue, white and green to celebrate Uzbekistan’s independence. The display will last for fifteen minutes before the lighting changes to red and gold in honour of Kyrgyzstan’s sovereignty day.

The event has been organised with the support of the...

Uzbekistan marked upcoming Independence Day with a spectacular aerial display as Su-25 ground-attack aircraft soared above New Uzbekistan Park in Tashkent, leaving trails in the colours of the national flag.

The flyover came shortly after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered his address to the nation.

Similar flights took place at last year’s celebrations, though in 2024 the aircraft only passed over the venue without performing manoeuvres. Ahead of the event, the Uzbekistan Air Force shared footage on its official Telegram channel showing pilots preparing for the mission above the capital.

The Su-25, first introduced into service with the...

Uzbekistan’s museum sector has seen marked growth, both in collections and in attendance. According to the National Statistics Committee, by January 1, 2025 the country counted 138 museums and branches. Together they received 4.8 mln visitors in 2024, of which 1.4 mln were foreign tourists.

Expanding collections

The museums’ core holdings now number 2.7 mln artefacts, an increase of 129,200 or 5% compared with the previous year. The largest share is concentrated in Tashkent, with 1,255,915 items. Other major centres include Samarkand region with 239,650 artefacts, the Republic of Karakalpakstan with 197,506, Surkhandarya with 178,080, and Fergana with...

On the eve of Uzbekistan’s 34th Independence Day celebrations, the first phase of a modern textile enterprise has been launched in Qoshtepa district. The factory, established by Innovative Apparel LLC in partnership with Sri Lanka, received $15 mln in direct foreign investment.

The plant will produce textile and apparel products for export to Iran, the UAE, Thailand, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Contracts have also been signed with international retail giants, including H&M, with the first orders already received.

At the opening ceremony, regional governor Khayrullo Bozorov congratulated attendees on Independence Day and stressed the key role of entrepreneurs in...

On August 29 Uzbekistan marked the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Repressions at the «Shahidlar Xotirasi» Alley in Tashkent. The ceremony, held on the eve of Independence Day, brought together officials, public figures and veterans. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended and offered prayers for those who gave their lives for the freedom of the Motherland.

Prayers from the Qur’an were recited, commemorative plov was served, and scholars and community leaders spoke about the need to study history and foster respect for independence among the younger generation.

Passing History to the Younger Generation

The President stressed the need...

The winning photographs will be announced on 14 October, followed by an exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London. Here are some of the most striking highly commended entries.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has laid the first stone in the foundation of the country’s future National Museum.

Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met with U.S. Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli in Tashkent to explore ways of strengthening bilateral ties, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry reported.

Talks focused on boosting cooperation in education, cultural exchange, innovation, and trade. Both sides highlighted untapped potential for deeper engagement between the two countries’ people and businesses.

The meeting also addressed key regional and global issues, with both officials reaffirming their commitment to joint efforts promoting stability and shared prosperity.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that A new American Corner is set to open in the capital of Uzbekistan, according to the press service...

Sting is facing legal action from his former Police bandmates, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, who allege they were never properly credited or paid for their contributions to the band’s biggest hit, Every Breath You Take.

The lawsuit, filed in London’s High Court, claims Summers and Copeland were excluded from songwriting credits on the 1983 single, which went on to become the best-selling U.S. track of that year and one of the most successful songs of the decade. Sting is named in the case under his legal name, Gordon Matthew Sumner, along with his company, Magnetic Publishing Ltd.

A spokesperson...

Meghan Markle has clarified her legal name, telling Bloomberg journalist Emily Chang that she is officially known as «Meghan Sussex.»

The revelation came after a mix-up during season one of With Love, Meghan, when actress Mindy Kaling referred to her as «Meghan Markle.» The Duchess of Sussex, 44, made the correction while promoting season two of her Netflix reality show.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry is set to return to the United Kingdom on 8 September to attend the annual WellChild Awards, marking his 15th appearance at the event. The date coincides with the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. As...

United States-based spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become a major driver of trading activity, generating between $5 bn and $10 bn in daily volume on active days, according to blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant.

«Bitcoin spot trading volumes through US-based ETFs have become a significant source of investor exposure,» said Julio Moreno, CryptoQuant’s head of research.

The growth highlights rising institutional participation in crypto markets, with ETF volumes now comparable to, and sometimes exceeding, those of leading exchanges.

Binance still dominates overall spot trading, handling about $4.1 bn in daily Bitcoin volume and...

miHoYo has officially announced Honkai: Nexus Anima, the newest entry in the Honkai franchise that combines creature collection with adventure and strategy elements. Recruitment for the initial trial, named the «Nexus Bond Test,» is live on the game’s official website until September 12. The test will be available on PC and iOS and will support English, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.

A New Honkai Adventure Built on Bonds

The story of Nexus Anima is built on the idea of «Nexus,» the unseen bonds that connect opposing forces such as Love and Hate, Light and Dark, Life...

A new American Corner is set to open in the capital of Uzbekistan, according to the press service of the US Embassy. The opening ceremony will be attended by Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, and US Ambassador Jonathan Henick.

The centre will provide Uzbek citizens with information about the history of the United States and American values. Similar American Corners already operate in Karshi and Namangan, where visitors can also learn about US universities, attend lectures on English language learning and take part in business-related programmes.

The embassy added that during his visit Zampolli will meet Uzbekistan’s...

The Tashkent Metro has introduced more than ten different payment methods to make travel easier for passengers and reduce queues at ticket offices.

As a result, the need for ticket cashiers is gradually declining. This has led to the phased reduction of cashier positions at closed ticket offices. In the first stage alone, carried out in line with approved legal regulations, 204 cashier roles were eliminated.

By the end of this year automated ticket machines will be installed at every metro station. Once this process is complete the roles of cashiers and senior cashiers will no longer exist in...

On August 29, Uzbekistan will experience hot and dry weather conditions with no rainfall expected across the country. Winds will generally blow at 7–12 m/s but in some areas may strengthen to 13–18 m/s with dust swirling near the ground. Daytime temperatures are forecast between 34 and 39°C.

In the capital Tashkent skies will remain clear without precipitation. Winds will be milder at 3–8 m/s, while temperatures are set to range from 37 to 39°C.

Mountain regions will also stay dry. Wind speeds here will average 7–12 m/s with occasional gusts up to 13–18 m/s. Temperatures will be slightly lower...

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 28. 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...

US president Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro has accused India of fuelling Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to buy discounted Russian oil, The Independent reports.

In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Navarro went as far as to call the conflict «Modi’s war», claiming New Delhi’s purchases were «funding the war machine». When asked if he meant Putin’s war, he replied: «Modi’s war.»

The remarks came after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty linked to India’s imports of Russian energy and weapons.

«Everybody in America loses because of what...

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched an investigation into energy giant Drax over «historical statements» made about the sourcing of wood pellets used at its North Yorkshire power plant.

The probe will cover the period from January 2022 to March 2024 and will assess whether Drax complied with transparency and disclosure rules, including in three annual reports.

Drax confirmed the investigation and said it would cooperate fully. The company has received more than £10bn in renewable subsidies since 2012, despite long-running concerns over the sustainability of its biomass fuel.

Last year, Drax was fined £25m for supplying inaccurate data...

Bruce Willis’s wife Emma Heming Willis has said she made the «hardest decision» to move the actor out of their family home as his dementia progresses.

Willis, 70, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023. The illness affects behaviour and language and becomes worse over time.

Emma, 47, explained the move was to protect their daughters, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11.

«Bruce would want them to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his needs,» she told ABC News.

The Die Hard star now lives in a...

Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new two-year contract with Al-Nassr, ensuring the 40-year-old will continue leading the club as the Saudi Pro League (SPL) kicks off its new season on Thursday, The Guardian reports.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, now just 61 goals short of the 1,000-goal milestone, is eyeing his first major trophy in Saudi Arabia since joining in 2023. Ronaldo will play under returning coach Jorge Jesus, who previously guided Al-Hilal to a dominant league title and a world record 34-game winning streak.

Al-Nassr have strengthened their squad with the arrivals of Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich...

The Taliban marked the fourth anniversary of its return to power by announcing a five-year development plan focused on housing and resettling millions of Afghan refugees being deported from Iran, Pakistan and beyond, as reports The Telegraph.

The plan pledges to prepare the «dignified and safe return of Afghan refugees,» with officials promising to build 21 new residential towns equipped with basic services for returnees. Housing Minister Najibullah Haqqani said land allocation has already begun in several provinces, adding:

«The goal of starting this programme is to help provide sustainable housing for families who...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has laid the first stone in the foundation of the country’s future National Museum, according to the presidential press service. The project will include the main museum building, underground facilities and supporting structures.

The design was developed by the Japanese bureau Tadao Ando Architect & Associates in collaboration with Germany’s Atelier Brückner. Its architectural vision is based on a fusion of Eastern and Western traditions. The construction work is being carried out by CSCEC International Construction of China.

«This museum will become a centre of science, enlightenment and culture...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has stated that the national economy is forecast by the IMF to surpass $130 bn this year. As of August, the country’s GDP had already reached $115 bn.

«Such rapid growth and such high international recognition have never been seen before in Uzbekistan,» he declared at a ceremony honouring representatives of business, science and culture on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of independence.

The president underlined that these results were achieved through support for entrepreneurship, the construction of industrial enterprises and the transition to a green and...

On September 3, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will travel to China to attend a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of liberation from Japanese occupation and the end of the Second World War. The event will bring together numerous world leaders, according to Xinhua news agency.

Alongside Uzbekistan’s president, the celebrations will host the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Presidents of Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan are also expected to take part. For the first time since 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit China. In total 21 presidents have received invitations.

The...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has withdrawn the licence of Eurasian Bank, citing insufficient charter capital and non-compliance with other mandatory requirements.

From January 1, 2025, the minimum capital requirement for commercial banks in Uzbekistan rose to 500 bn soums ($40.28 mln). Eurasian Bank, however, remained at just 200 bn soums ($16.1 mln), falling short of the threshold. Alongside this breach, the bank failed to meet additional regulatory obligations.

A liquidation commission will be formed to oversee the closure. From the day its licence was revoked, the institution has been prohibited from accepting deposits, issuing loans or engaging in...