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Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a lecture at the United Nations University in Tokyo, becoming the first leader from Central Asia to speak at the institution. He described the invitation as recognition of Kazakhstan’s growing international role and commitment to multilateralism.

«The number and intensity of armed conflicts have reached their highest level in decades,» Tokayev said, noting that rising geopolitical rivalry has weakened the ability of international institutions to respond effectively.

He stressed that restoring confidence between states was essential, arguing that «a renewed culture of strategic trust must become the foundation of international cooperation and collective decision-making».

During his official visit to Tokyo, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with executives from JOGMEC and ITOCHU, including Ichiro Takaharu and Jun Inomata. Discussions focused on expanding practical cooperation and implementing joint projects using advanced Japanese technologies.

The work of JOGMEC and ITOCHU in developing uranium deposits in Navoi and Kashkadarya regions was highly praised, and plans for precious metal extraction at prospective sites were reviewed. Uzbekistan’s long-term collaboration with ITOCHU in engineering, geology, and infrastructure was also highlighted, alongside agreements for exporting critical minerals to Japan.

New initiatives in technology and social sectors

Emerging areas of cooperation...

Uzbekistan has been placed in Group A — the highest tier for digital government maturity — in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index 2025. The index assesses digital transformation in the public sector across 197 countries, categorising them by maturity rather than ranking them.

In 2025, 80 countries, or 41% of those studied, were classified in Group A. Uzbekistan now shares this category with nations traditionally regarded as leaders in digital services, including South Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada and several EU countries. The placement highlights Uzbekistan’s rapid advancement in modernising public administration.

The GovTech Maturity Index evaluates countries in...

At least three people were killed and nine more injured after a knife-wielding man went on a rampage in Taipei on Friday evening, BBC reports. The 27-year-old suspect, identified as Taiwanese national Chang Wen, set off smoke bombs at the city’s main metro station before moving to a shopping district and stabbing people along the way, Premier Cho Jung-tai said.

Chang later died in hospital after falling from a multi-storey building. His motives remain unknown. Authorities said he had a criminal record and was already wanted by police. The premier confirmed that an investigation into the suspect’s background and...

The US justice department has published an initial batch of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, BBC reports. This is the first release under a law passed by Congress that requires the full disclosure of the files.

The highly anticipated material includes photographs, videos and investigative records. However the Department of Justice admitted it would not meet the legal deadline to release the entire collection by Friday.

The first tranche names several well known figures, among them former US president Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and musicians Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson. Officials stressed that being mentioned or appearing in...

Nearly 2,700 citizens of Uzbekistan visited Japan in the first 11 months of 2025, up 16.2% year on year, according to data from the National Statistics Committee.

Most travellers from Uzbekistan went to Japan for tourism, accounting for around 2,200 visits. Another 294 people travelled to see relatives, while 137 listed education as the main purpose of their trip.

Travel in the opposite direction grew at a faster pace. About 30,000 Japanese citizens visited Uzbekistan over the same period, an increase of 41.1% compared with last year.

Tourism dominated Japanese arrivals, with roughly 27,600 visitors. Around 1,500 travelled to...

Formula 1 could be heading towards an early controversy in the 2026 season, with reports suggesting a possible protest at the Australian Grand Prix over an alleged power unit loophole.

According to Motorsport Magazin, Ferrari, Audi and Honda have raised concerns with the FIA about a method that Mercedes High Performance Powertrains and Red Bull Powertrains are believed to have identified under the new engine regulations.

From 2026, technical rules cap the geometric compression ratio of power units at 16:1. Rival manufacturers suspect Mercedes and Red Bull may have found a way to effectively restore this figure to around...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has put forward a series of initiatives to strengthen cooperation between Central Asia and Japan, centring on a long term strategy through to 2040 and regular meetings of regional leaders.

Speaking at the first Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue summit in Tokyo on December 20, Mirziyoyev proposed holding summits at the level of heads of state every two years. He said Uzbekistan was ready to host one of the next meetings.

The president also suggested drafting a Central Asia–Japan 2040 strategy to set long term priorities for cooperation and outline concrete projects in economic development...

Uzbekistan is considering the construction of a Disneyland-style theme park that could become a new tourist attraction for the region. The idea was discussed during a meeting between Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration, and Hayma Washington, vice president of The Walt Disney Company.

The talks also covered plans to establish a creative Cinema Park offering preferential conditions for international companies. The project would involve Hollywood professionals in training a new generation of animators directors and screenwriters.

In addition, the sides discussed opening a Central Asia representative office for Disney in Uzbekistan and launching a children’s television channel with...

British boxing star Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring on Friday night against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in one of the most unconventional heavyweight bouts in recent years.

The fight will be streamed live on Netflix at no extra cost to subscribers, marking a rare move away from traditional pay-per-view broadcasting. However, UK fans have been warned they could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they watch the bout live without a valid TV licence.

Under UK law, a TV licence is required to watch or stream any live broadcast, including events shown on streaming platforms...

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has played down speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City, insisting he expects to remain at Stamford Bridge next season.

The Italian, whose contract with Chelsea runs until 2029, said reports suggesting he could replace Pep Guardiola at City are «100% speculation.» Speaking on Friday, Maresca stressed that his focus remains solely on his current role.

«I have a contract here until 2029. My focus is just about this club and I’m very proud to be here,» he said, adding that similar rumours had previously linked him...

Uzbekistan has expressed concern that its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is progressing more slowly than expected. This information was shared by presidential WTO representative Azizbek Urunov.

«This perception is based on the nature, timing, and substance of some of the questions we receive within the Working Party cycles,» Urunov explained.

He added that while some protocols «regrettably remain unsigned or not formally closed due to issues unrelated to market access,» Uzbekistan fully shares the WTO’s core values of fairness and predictability in global trade and does not consider membership a «favour.»

The European Union has issued its strongest condemnation to date of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, citing «grave and ongoing atrocities» following the paramilitary group’s capture of El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur previously held by the Sudanese Armed Forces.

In conclusions adopted after the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels accused the RSF of deliberate attacks on civilians, ethnically motivated killings, widespread sexual and gender-based violence, the use of starvation as a weapon of war, and systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid. The EU said such acts may amount to war crimes and crimes against...

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is expected to undergo a lung transplant after her health worsened over recent months, the royal household announced on Friday.

The 52-year-old, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. The chronic condition causes scarring of the lungs and reduces the body’s ability to absorb oxygen. According to the palace, medical examinations carried out this autumn revealed a clear decline in her health.

Officials said it has not yet been decided when the crown princess will be placed on the transplant waiting list.

Professor...

Chinese money-laundering networks (CMLNs) have become a central financial conduit for Latin American drug cartels, linking Chinese capital flight to the global drug economy, according to a new analysis published this week.

The report argues that CMLNs now function as a shadow liquidity system, enabling cartels, particularly in Mexico, to convert bulk U.S. drug cash into usable purchasing power inside China without formal cross-border transfers. This mechanism allows criminal groups to access Chinese industrial supply chains, including producers of fentanyl precursors, pill presses and consumer goods, while simultaneously facilitating offshore dollar access for wealthy Chinese clients seeking to...

France welcomed a European Union decision to raise €90 bn in joint borrowing to support Ukraine in 2026–27, describing the move as a turning point in Europe’s security policy.

The agreement, approved by EU leaders at the European Council after weeks of negotiations, will channel around $105 bn in loans to Ukraine. Unlike previous mechanisms, the plan relies on collective borrowing rather than direct transfers from national budgets, signalling a shift toward shared financial responsibility as the war with Russia continues.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the decision marks a decisive step for Europe’s security posture. In...

President Donald Trump has ordered the suspension of the U.S. green card lottery program following revelations that the suspect behind the Brown University shooting and the killing of an MIT professor entered the country through the scheme.

In a post on X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the suspect, identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national, entered the United States in 2017 under the diversity visa program. She said Trump had directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to immediately pause the program.

Neves Valente fatally shot two students at Brown University and...

As part of the business programme of his official visit to Tokyo, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with Nobumitsu Hayashi, Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

The meeting focused on key issues related to the further expansion of Uzbekistan’s strategic partnership with the leading Japanese financial institution. Both sides noted the strong momentum in cooperation in recent years, with the total portfolio of joint projects now exceeding $5 bn. These projects cover sectors including petrochemicals, energy, telecommunications, infrastructure and light industry.

Particular attention was given to the preparation of new initiatives and improving the...

The Taliban-administered Afghan embassy in Norway has resumed issuing passports and providing consular services to Afghan nationals living in Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

Najibullah Shaheen, acting head of the Afghan embassy in Oslo, said the first batch of newly issued passports has already been distributed to applicants. Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it accepted Shaheen as first secretary at the embassy and granted him a one-year diplomatic residence card.

Following his appointment, the embassy’s official signage was changed from «Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan» to «Embassy of Afghanistan.»

Passport services at many Afghan diplomatic...

Healthcare-focused private equity firm Quadria Capital has expanded into the Middle East by opening a new office in Dubai, marking a strategic move to strengthen its presence in Gulf markets.

The expansion follows Quadria’s partial exit from Nephrocare Health Services (NephroPlus) through a successful initial public offering in India. NephroPlus operates dialysis centers across India, the Philippines, Uzbekistan and Nepal. The IPO, Quadria’s first exit from its $1 bn Fund III, was oversubscribed 27 times by institutional investors and priced at a 7% premium.

Quadria said the Middle East push complements its core focus on South and South-East...

Sony Pictures is developing a live-action film based on Labubu, the popular line of round, wide-eyed, pointy-eared plush toys. Paul King, known for directing the «Paddington» films and «Wonka,» has been chosen to direct and produce, alongside Department M and Wenxin She. The project is currently in its early stages.

King’s latest movie, «Wonka,» starring Timothee Chalamet, earned $635 mln at the global box office. The «Paddington» films were also both critical and commercial successes, earning nearly $500 mln worldwide. King co-wrote the screenplay and executive produced the third «Paddington» movie.

Labubu began as a picture book series...

A Romanian court handed American rapper Wiz Khalifa a nine-month prison sentence for smoking cannabis on stage during a festival.

The court in Constanța overturned a previous fine of 3,600 lei (£619; $829) and ruled the sentence must be served in custody, though the rapper was sentenced in absentia. Khalifa, whose real name is Thomaz Cameron Jibril, performed at the Beach, Please! festival in Costinesti in July 2024 and admitted to smoking a joint during his set.

Images posted online show the ten-time Grammy-nominated artist performing with Gunna in California and sharing clips from his home on Twitch and...

Seven people died on Thursday when a Cessna 550 business jet crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, NASCAR confirmed.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol said it is believed Biffle and members of his immediate family were on board, but the intense post-crash fire has delayed formal identification. The plane was registered to a company linked to Biffle. Officials will release the full list of occupants once confirmed by the medical examiner.

The jet had been travelling to Florida but tried to return to the Statesville airport shortly after takeoff amid severe...

On December 19, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev started his official trip to Japan with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito. The Emperor welcomed him warmly, describing the visit as a key step in deepening the friendship and strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Japan.

President Mirziyoyev thanked the Emperor for Japan’s continued support of Uzbekistan’s reform programme and highlighted the cultural and historical connections between the two countries. Despite the distance, the Uzbek and Japanese peoples share similar values, traditions, and family ties, dating back to the Silk Road era.

The leaders also noted the growing cooperation in education and culture. More...