On World Desertification Day, the United Nations warns that Central Asia is facing its worst drought in 45 years. It's no coincidence that the next UN conference on the topic will be held in Mongolia in August. Land degradation on the continent translates into food insecurity and migration to cities and abroad.
In Uzbekistan, approximately 107 boys are born for every 100 girls; in Tajikistan, the figure is as high as 110. This imbalance cannot be explained by natural causes and must be attributed to the practice of abortion when prenatal tests reveal that the foetus is female. This sex selection not only reflects gender discrimination but also entails serious social risks.
From the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump to short-term visas for Iranian players, the 2026 edition will be the biggest with 48 teams and 104 matches, but also very controversial. Nine Asian teams will take part, with two newcomers: Jordan and Uzbekistan. The hopes of a continent rest with South Korea and Japan. Despite billions invested in football, China failed to qualify.
With technical support from the United Arab Emirates, the government in Astana is the first in Central Asia to trial cloud-seeding systems, designed to provide moisture to agricultural land even during dry seasons. But former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Zaparov has sounded the alarm: artificially induced rainfall in one region could have a negative impact on the climate of another.
The former Soviet republic has defeated the Philippines in the run-off for one of the non-permanent seats. A sign of the shift in the geopolitical balance of Central Asia, which until now had been represented for a single two-year term by Kazakhstan. Beijing’s support (hostile to Manila over the South China Sea dispute) proved decisive, bringing with it many votes from countries in the Global South.
Despite a ban under Islamic law and doctrine, amulets and exorcism performed by mullahs or shaman are widespread in Tajikistan. According to a well-known legend, 40 inseparable spirits rule the world, believed to be able to ward off all human misfortunes.
