Business Line From raw materials to value-added exports: A structural trade transformation In partnership with Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
No Comment Tehran mass wedding turns military vehicles into bridal cars Tehran stages a mass wedding where brides and grooms ride in decorated military vehicles, mixing celebration, symbolism and state messaging. 19/05/2026
Europe News Malaysia seeks €216m from Norwegian firm over scrapped missile deal Delivery of the Naval Strike Missile system as well as launcher components was revoked that had been destined for Malaysia's littoral combat ship programme under the terms of a 2018 deal. 19/05/2026
Europe News Finnish divers recover bodies of two Italians from cave in Maldives Maldives government spokesman Ahmed Shaam had earlier said that the three Finnish divers would retrieve the bodies, which were lying at a depth of around 60 metres. 19/05/2026
Economy Could Central Asia help Europe address labour shortage concerns? European labour shortages and legal migration systems were central topics at the Tashkent International Migration Forum, where officials came together for discussions and solutions. 19/05/2026
Iran Europol disrupts thousands of IRGC online accounts across 19 countries Europol announced a major digital crackdown that led to the removal of thousands of online accounts linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the suspension of the group's primary X account in the EU. 19/05/2026
Azerbaijan 'No society is immune' to housing crisis, UN chief warns at Baku forum António Guterres told the World Urban Forum in Baku that no country is immune from the housing crisis, as 40,000 delegates gathered for the second day of talks. 18/05/2026
Lebanon Lebanese president vows to 'do the impossible' to end war with Israel On Monday, the Lebanese health ministry said the death toll from Israeli strikes since the start of the war had reached 3,020, with 211 people 18 and under and 116 healthcare workers among those killed. 18/05/2026
United Arab Emirates UAE still investigating mystery nuclear plant drone attack The enigma surrounding Sunday’s unprecedented drone attack on the Barakah nuclear plant deepened on Monday as the UAE said the drone came from its western border, but it did not accuse Iran. 18/05/2026
Iran Iran sets up Hormuz transit authority to charge ships for passage Tehran has launched a formal body to manage and charge ships for transit through the Strait of Hormuz in a highly-contested move as tankers pile up in the waterway and peace talks remain deadlocked. 18/05/2026
Residences ‘Long snooze’: Is this the world’s best hotel bed? The ‘Curator Suite 1503’ at RYSE, Autograph Collection in Seoul is home to an enormous extra-long bed, which stretches the near length of the room. 18/05/2026
Health news How sport is changing the lives of people with autism in Central Asia Can sport help improve the lives of children with autism? From adaptive cycling to inclusive running events, structured physical activity helps children develop communication, focus and emotional regulation. 18/05/2026
Markets UzNIF debuts on London market in first international Uzbek IPO The IPO generated more than $2.8 billion (€2.6bn) in investor demand and raised around $603 million (€540m). Officials at the London Stock Exchange described the listing as a landmark moment for Uzbekistan’s access to international capital markets. 18/05/2026
Azerbaijan Iran calls for reconstruction support at World Urban Forum in Baku Iran's deputy housing minister used the World Urban Forum in Baku to call for international support to rebuild 150,000 homes damaged in the war. 18/05/2026
No Comment Cats in costumes and beauty contests draw crowds at expo Thousands of cat lovers gathered at Cat Expo India in Mumbai, where visitors explored cat beauty contests, pet care products, grooming services, accessories and premium food brands alongside dozens of felines. 18/05/2026
No Comment Bodybuilders show off muscles at Southeast Asian championships Myanmar hosts the Southeast Asian Bodybuilding Championships in Yangon, with athletes from eight countries competing from May 14 to 18. 18/05/2026
Japan Japan arrests Americans over stunt at baby monkey Punch's zoo The baby monkey became an internet star this year after the zoo posted photos of Punch clutching an IKEA plush orangutan for comfort after being rejected by his mother. 18/05/2026
North Korea North Korea tells military to bolster defences against 'arch enemy' The plans come at a low point in relations with South Korea and Pyongyang unresponsive to Seoul's repeated offers for dialogue. 18/05/2026
Taiwan Taiwan defends US arms purchases that Trump called 'bargaining chip' Trump’s calling of arms sales to Taiwan a “bargaining chip” has raised concerns on the self-governing island of a potential change in US foreign policy towards the territory after the US president’s latest visit to China. 18/05/2026
Iran Iran has responded to latest US peace proposal, Tehran official says On Sunday, Iran's Fars news agency said Washington had presented a five-point list, which included a demand for Iran to keep only one nuclear site in operation and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US. 18/05/2026
Azerbaijan World Urban Forum opens in Baku with warning on global housing divide Ministers and experts opened the World Urban Forum in Baku on Sunday with stark warnings about the global housing divide, calling for international cooperation to tackle a growing crisis. 17/05/2026
Kazakhstan Turkic leaders unite towards 'influential geopolitical power centre' Turkic states' leaders have joined forces to advance digital and AI expansion projects in conjunction with their regional push for trade, energy, transportation, infrastructure, and regional connectivity developments to address the world's urgent "critical issues". 17/05/2026
United Arab Emirates Drone strike hits UAE nuclear plant perimeter, fire reported A drone strike sparked a fire near the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant, officials say, with no injuries or radiation leak reported as regional tensions around the Iran ceasefire escalate. 17/05/2026
Travel News Japan’s Pokémon travel trend flies high with new themed airport A regional airport in Japan is getting a Pokémon-inspired makeover as part of post-earthquake recovery efforts. 17/05/2026
Culture news International jazz festival draws thousands with free open-air concert The Tashkent International Jazz Festival brought together artists from Europe, the Americas and Central Asia through a series of free open-air performances. Organisers say audience numbers and international interest are increasingly growing. 17/05/2026
No Comment South Korea: Thousands watch robot monks march through Seoul’s historic streets Four robot monks in traditional robes joined Seoul’s lantern parade ahead of Buddha’s birthday, symbolising Buddhism’s tech-savvy modernisation. 16/05/2026
Culture news Rare traditional sounds are being digitised for a new generation Mountain melodies, centuries-old instruments and traditional rhythms are being digitally preserved through a new open-access music platform. The archive aims to reconnect contemporary creators with sounds that had remained outside global audio libraries for decades. 16/05/2026