live Trump says Iran wants to ‘settle’ as U.S. pauses talks for Khamenei funeral
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the trend is supported by investment activity, industrial expansion and large-scale infrastructure projects.
In its 2026 report on economic prospects in the region, the bank noted that investment in fixed assets increased by 34.2% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year - one of the highest rates recorded in Central Asia. Industrial production also rose sharply, growing by 29.6% during the first three months of the year.
The bank attributed the strong performance to major state-led development projects, including the construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant. Once completed, the facility is expected to substantially increase electricity generation, strengthen energy security and expand electricity exports to neighbouring countries.
According to the EBRD and the World Bank, real GDP growth in Tajikistan reached 8.4% in 2024 and remained above 8% in 2025, placing the country among the fastest-growing economies not only in Central Asia but across the broader Eurasian region.
The EBRD forecasts Tajikistan’s economy to grow by nearly 8% again in 2026, reflecting continued investment, rising household incomes and expanding industrial activity.
Tajikistan’s growing economy is also reshaping regional trade patterns.
For the first time in more than two decades, China overtook Russia as Tajikistan’s largest trading partner in 2025. Bilateral trade with China reached approximately $4.3 billion, accounting for nearly a quarter of Tajikistan’s total foreign trade turnover. Russia remained a close second, representing more than 23 per cent of total trade.
Other major trading partners include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye and Iran.
The country’s exports are dominated by aluminium, cotton, electricity, mineral products and metals, while imports primarily consist of machinery, equipment, consumer goods, fuel and industrial materials.
The EBRD said the latest figures demonstrate growing confidence in Tajikistan’s economy and create favourable conditions for attracting both domestic and foreign investment. The bank noted that continued infrastructure development, industrial expansion and regional cooperation could further strengthen growth prospects in the coming years.
As Central Asian economies increasingly compete for investment, Tajikistan’s recent performance highlights its emergence as an increasingly important economic player in the region.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
Kyrgyzstan’s ex-second in command, Kamchybek Tashiev, has been convicted of plotting to overthrow the country’s President Sadyr Japarov. Tashiev and Japarov had ruled the Central Asian nation in tandem since 2020, until the former was unexpectedly ousted in February.
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the eastern German city of Erfurt on Saturday as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) opened its annual party conference, where delegates voted to keep Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as the party's co-leaders.
Armenia's parliament has passed a new law raising the requirements for citizens living abroad to vote in national elections, following concerns over alleged efforts to influence last month's parliamentary vote through Armenian citizens residing in Russia.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
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