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Shows of Jennifer Lopez in Central Asia turned into more than just music events, becoming a competition over which city would reap the bigger financial rewards. The results showed Tashkent leading the way, generating almost three times the tax revenues of Almaty and attracting twice as many overseas visitors.

On August 7, Lopez performed at the Milliy Stadium (formerly Bunyodkor) in Tashkent before an audience of more than 31,000 people. Among them were 15,300 foreign guests, giving a significant boost to tourism. The city’s budget benefitted from 42.5 bn soums, equivalent to around $3.3m, in tax revenues.

A...

UFC welterweight contender Carlos Prates has wasted no time lining up his next fight after producing a spectacular knockout win at UFC 319.

His long-awaited clash with fellow striker Geoff Neal lived up to its billing, with both men expected to deliver fireworks on the main card. The fight had been rescheduled from earlier in the year, and when it finally happened in Chicago, it proved to be worth the wait.

From the opening bell the pair traded heavy shots, each visibly rocking the other in a frantic first round. Neal began with an unusual flurry of leg kicks...

Uzbekistan will experience noticeably cooler weather on Saturday, August 17, with daytime temperatures ranging between 27°C and 32°C. Conditions will remain dry across much of the country, though winds of 7–12 m/s are forecast, with occasional gusts reaching 13–18 m/s accompanied by dusty patches.

In the capital, the weather will stay dry under partly clear skies. Winds will blow at 5–10 m/s, while daytime highs are expected to hover between 30°C and 32°C.

By contrast, mountain districts could face brief showers and thunderstorms during the day. Winds in these areas are also forecast at 7–12 m/s, with local strengthening...

Several banks in Uzbekistan open their currency exchange points and money transfer offices over the weekends, according to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan.

The list includes:
Agrobank, Apexbank, Asia Alliance Bank, BRB, Ipoteka Bank, Milliy Bank, Orient Finans Bank, Tenge Bank, Trastbank, Universalbank, Kapitalbank, Hamkorbank, SQB, Asaka Bank, Anor Bank, Garant Bank and Hayot Bank.

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...

Manchester City produced a commanding performance to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, August 16, evening. Erling Haaland led the way with a brace, while Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Cherki also found the net.

City Take Early Control

The visitors wasted no time asserting their dominance. In the 35th minute Haaland opened the scoring, converting a low cross from Rico Lewis at the far post after neat build-up play involving Tijjani Reijnders. Just three minutes later City doubled their advantage. Oscar Bobb intercepted possession in midfield and fed Reijnders, who struck crisply into the...

Moscow and Bishkek are negotiating the potential localisation of Russian car manufacturing in Kyrgyzstan, with both sides aiming to reach agreements on contracts for vehicle supplies. The announcement was made by Roman Chekushov, Deputy Head of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, during the Kyrgyz-Russian Economic Forum in Cholpon-Ata.

Chekushov noted that a global trend has emerged for automobile producers to establish production facilities in the countries where they seek a market presence.

«Kyrgyzstan is no exception. We expect that several discussions will take place on the possibility of localising Russian car production here...

American UFC fighter Bryan Battle has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled contest against Uzbekistan’s Nursulton Ruziboev after failing to meet the middleweight limit, Championat reports. The fight was due to take place on August 17 at UFC 319 in Chicago.

Battle’s withdrawal followed controversial remarks about Uzbek fans. In a recent interview, the American ridiculed their English language skills. He added with irony that he would become «the people’s champion of Uzbekistan» after the bout. He even took it to his Instagram page and posted a picture of him sleeping with his daughter:

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI), which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of key food commodities, averaged 130.1 points in July 2025. This marked a rise of 2.1 points or 1.6% from June. The increase came despite falling prices for cereals, dairy and sugar, as higher costs for meat and vegetable oils outweighed the declines. Overall, the index was 9.2 points or 7.6% higher than a year earlier, but still 18.8% below the record peak reached in March 2022.

Cereals Slip as Rice and Wheat Weigh Down Index

The FAO Cereal Price Index...

Merseyside Police confirmed that a 47-year-old man was removed from Anfield on Saturday, August 16, after allegedly directing racist abuse at Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo during the Premier League opener against Liverpool.

Match Interrupted After Semenyo Reported Abuse

The match was paused in the 28th minute after Semenyo drew referee Anthony Taylor’s attention to a comment from the stands. Both managers, Liverpool’s Arne Slot and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, were informed as officials followed the league’s anti-discrimination protocol.

Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury told viewers that Semenyo himself had highlighted the incident. Reporter Laura Hunter later observed a supporter...

Mo Salah was overcome with emotion at Anfield on Saturday, August 16, night as Liverpool supporters paid a moving tribute to the late Diogo Jota.

Liverpool secured a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth after Federico Chiesa struck in the 88th minute and Salah added a stoppage-time goal. As he celebrated in front of the Kop, the Egyptian forward mimicked Jota’s familiar shark gesture, a trademark celebration of his former teammate.

Salah Stays Behind as Kop Sings Jota’s Song

After the final whistle most players headed down the tunnel, but Salah remained on the pitch. Facing the Kop as fans...

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to significantly increase the number of scheduled flights between the two countries following talks held during the Central Asia–China (C5+1) Civil Aviation Cooperation Conference.

More Frequent Services on Major Routes

Under the agreement, designated airlines from both sides will be permitted to operate up to 42 weekly flights on the Almaty–Tashkent and Astana–Tashkent routes. Other routes will be expanded to allow up to 14 weekly services. The two sides also agreed to broaden the number of destinations eligible for scheduled flights between the countries.

Officials said the move is intended to improve transport...

Tristan Rogers, the Australian-born actor whose career stretched over several decades and who became a household name through his portrayal of Robert Scorpio on ABC’s daytime drama General Hospital, has died at the age of 79.

His passing was confirmed by his long-time manager, Meryl Soodak, who told ABC7 entertainment correspondent George Pennacchio that the actor died on Friday, August 16, morning after a struggle with lung cancer. Soodak stressed that Rogers had never smoked. She described his role on General Hospital as central to his life, saying:

«He loved being Scorpio and he built...

Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran exited Friday, August 15, night’s 6–2 victory over the Washington Nationals after being struck on the ankle by a sharp ground ball. It was his first appearance in a non-save situation since being acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline.

The incident occurred in the ninth inning when Paul DeJong’s comebacker deflected off the outside of Duran’s right ankle and rolled into foul territory for a single. Duran initially attempted to retrieve the ball but began limping heavily as the pain took hold.

After an extended visit from the medical staff, he...

Most of Uzbekistan will see a dry day. Only in Karakalpakstan could some locations catch a brief shower or thunderstorm early in the morning. Winds will blow at 7–12 m/s with occasional gusts to 13–16 m/s and patches of blowing dust. Daytime temperatures will reach 30–35°C.

The capital stays dry. Expect winds of 3–8 m/s with local gusts up to 10–12 m/s and some low-level dust. Afternoon temperatures will rise to 33–35°C.

No precipitation is expected in the mountains. Winds will be 7–12 m/s with gusts at times to 13–18 m/s. Highs will be 21–26°C.

Air Quality in...

A highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded in Alaska on Friday, August 15, without agreement on halting the conflict in Ukraine, although both leaders described the talks as constructive, Reuters reports.

No Ceasefire but «Progress» Claimed

Following nearly three hours of discussions, the two presidents appeared before the media, stating that progress had been made but declining to provide specifics.

Trump told reporters, «We’ve made some headway,» adding, «There’s no deal until there’s a deal.» Neither leader took questions.

The absence of a ceasefire...

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 16. 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:

Several banks in Uzbekistan open their currency...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree on the socio-economic development of Karakalpakstan for 2025 and 2026.

The initiative includes the creation of a long-term development strategy for the region running until 2035. This will be underpinned by a detailed five-year programme, with foreign investment of up to $200 mln expected to support its implementation.

According to the decree, the plan aims to raise the region’s gross regional product by 6–6.5%, industrial output by 5–6% and the market services sector by 15–17%.

In May this year it was announced that Egyptian investors intend to invest...

On August 14, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received Aurélia Bouchez, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic, as she concluded her diplomatic mission in the country.

The President commended the Ambassador’s productive work and personal contribution to deepening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and France. He noted that reciprocal high-level visits had elevated bilateral cooperation to a new level, giving it a substantive agenda.

Expanded Economic and Institutional Ties

Regular dialogue and active contacts have been established at various levels. Notable progress has been achieved in the economic sphere, with trade turnover increasing fourfold in recent...

The United States Department of State’s 2024 Human Rights Report on Uzbekistan has found no significant changes in the country’s human rights situation over the past year, citing ongoing concerns over unlawful killings, torture, limits on press freedom and the absence of a functioning asylum system.

Allegations of Unlawful Killings and Torture

The report highlights credible accounts of arbitrary or unlawful killings, including the death of protester Dilmurod Yusupaliyev in police custody in June after alleged beatings and denial of medical care. An Interior Ministry employee was later sentenced to nine months in prison over the incident. Human...

OpenAI’s latest large language model, GPT-5, has received a mixed reception following its release, Coin Telegraph reports. While promoted by CEO Sam Altman as a major step forward, the model’s early public performance fell short of expectations.

Early User Feedback and Market Reaction

Soon after launch, social media posts highlighted instances of GPT-5 providing incorrect answers, including basic numerical errors and flawed logical reasoning. The prediction market Polymarket saw OpenAI’s odds of having the «best model by end of August» drop from 75% to 8%, later recovering to 24%.

Industry commentary was divided. The New Yorker wrote that...

Cardi B’s forthcoming album Am I The Drama?, scheduled for release this autumn, may be subject to last-minute changes due to an ongoing copyright dispute.

Artists Joshua Fraustro (known professionally as Sten Joddi) and Miguel Aguilar (Kemikal956) have filed a lawsuit alleging that Cardi B’s 2024 single Enough (Miami) copied the melody and bassline from their 2021 track Greasy FryBread.

Plaintiffs Seek Injunction

According to Billboard, the claimants have requested a court order to prevent the song from appearing on Am I The Drama?. Their legal representative, Robert Flores, stated that allowing the track’s release would cause «irreparable...

Russian engineering company Mosinzhproekt will take part in designing and constructing a new metro line in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, according to a representative from the New Tashkent district construction directorate.

$110 Million Investment for Nine-Station Line

The project, valued at around $110 mln, involves building a 21-kilometre metro line with nine stations over a two-year period. The route will combine both underground and overground sections.

Mosinzhproekt will partner with Turkish conglomerate Dogus Holding for the works. The Russian Trade Mission in Uzbekistan had previously confirmed that Russian firms were keen to participate in the broader New Tashkent development...

Lana Del Rey has stirred up speculation about her relationship with fellow singer Ethel Cain by sharing a preview of a new track on Instagram.

The short clip, posted on August 13, contains the lines:

«Ethel Cain hated my Instagram post / Think it’s cute reenacting my Chicago pose.»

The reference appears to allude to a 2022 incident when both artists shared photos with musician Jack Donoghue, Del Rey’s former partner. Her picture, taken outside a Chicago jail, was followed by Cain posting an outdoor image with Donoghue, which may have inspired the lyric...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree establishing a nationwide system to support Palestinians in the country, the Ministry of Justice press service has announced.

The decree creates a Republican Commission tasked with assisting Palestinians affected by conflict, along with their accompanying family members, in adapting to life in Uzbekistan.

Financial Assistance for Families

Under the new measures, Palestinians of working age will be eligible for a monthly living allowance. In addition, each family will receive reimbursement for the cost of renting accommodation in their place of residence.

Palestinian residents suffering from illnesses leading to disability...