News

Brazilian racing driver Rafael Câmara will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas in 2027, replacing Esteban Ocon and joining Oliver Bearman in an all-Ferrari junior line-up.

The 20-year-old joins the American team on a multi-year contract after an impressive rise through the junior categories, including winning the Formula Regional European Championship in 2024 and the Formula 3 title in 2025.

Câmara, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2022, has spent the 2026 season racing for Invicta Racing in Formula 2, where he has emerged as one of the championship’s...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Uzbekistan have signed a $200mn loan agreement to modernise 60 electricity substations across the country, reduce power losses and improve the reliability of electricity supplies.

The agreement was signed on 15 October in Bangkok by ADB President Masato Kanda and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov, according to the bank’s press statement shared with Kursiv Uzbekistan.

The financing will support the Modernization of Electricity Distribution Systems Program, which aims to upgrade ageing infrastructure and introduce digital technologies to improve network management.

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Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed establishing an Asian partnership on climate resilience and a regional initiative on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).

He presented the proposals on 15 October at the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, according to the presidential press service.

The proposed Asian Initiative on Technological Trust and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence would bring together experts from CICA member states to develop common recommendations and coordinate measures addressing the risks associated with AI.

Google is offering 30% discounts on its Pixel 11 smartphones to selected Google AI Pro subscribers, allowing customers to combine the promotion with trade-in offers for further savings.

The company has begun sending promotional codes by email to users paying $19.99 per month for its premium artificial intelligence subscription, according to Android Authority.

The offer covers all four devices in Google’s latest smartphone range: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

The emails, titled “Subscriber benefit: Save 30% on Pixel 11 series phones”, describe the promotion as an...

A US citizen and former Bollywood star Imran Khan has been given until 28 October to exit India after authorities deemed his presence at an anti-government rally a violation of immigration rules.

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office issued the deportation notice to 43-year-old Imran Khan. Trouble began for the actor following a 10 October demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan.

Protesters converged to demand the ousting of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition figures claim Kumar manipulated voter rolls to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

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Uzbekistan’s Tourism and Entertainment Group (TEG), which owns Hilton Tashkent City, has become the country’s first company to enter the US public stock market after completing a reverse takeover of American company StageWise Strategies Corp.

The transaction, announced on 14 October, allows TEG to trade in the United States under the name TEG Overseas Inc., with its shares listed on the over-the-counter (OTC) market rather than a major exchange such as Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange.

According to Bloomberg, the company plans to raise additional capital by December to finance its expansion in Uzbekistan’s...

At least 29 people, including 28 children and a female teacher, were killed when the roof of a private school collapsed in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar on Thursday, 15 October, authorities said.

More than three dozen people were injured, with several in critical condition, according to hospital officials cited by the Associated Press. The children affected were aged 13 or younger.

The collapse occurred during classes at the Al-Khair Education Center in Dir Colony, a densely populated neighbourhood of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The death...

Alpine Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto has announced a break from social media, urging supporters to stop attacking other drivers and members of his team, warning that their behaviour could damage his career.

The 23-year-old Argentine published a video on Instagram on 14 October, thanking fans for their continued support while addressing the hostility directed at his colleagues, mechanics and engineers.

“Sometimes we cross the line. Instead of supporting me, we end up criticising and attacking other drivers, colleagues, teammates, mechanics and engineers, people I work with every...

Apple‘s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has appeared in an early Geekbench 7 test, showing processing performance comparable to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max ahead of its release on 23 October.

The device achieved a single-core score of 3,986 and a multi-core score of 11,067, according to a benchmark reported by MacRumors on 14 October.

Although the results fall below some of the highest scores recorded by the iPhone 18 Pro models, they remain within the range of their reported performance. The test provides an early indication that Apple’s foldable...

Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment, has returned to South Korea’s K-pop industry with two new groups, A2O LITE and A2O SOUL, introducing 24 idols in a simultaneous launch that has already produced a chart-topping single and controversy surrounding one of its youngest members.

The nine-member girl group and 15-member boy group performed at a joint showcase in Goyang on 12 October before releasing their first songs the following day. Both acts belong to A2O Entertainment, Lee’s new agency, and form part of his attempt to combine traditional K-pop production with emerging technology.

A2O...

A new trailer for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 has introduced a young protagonist armed with a video camera rather than cybernetic weapons, offering a closer look at the anime’s new characters ahead of its Netflix premiere on 20 October.

The footage debuted during IGN Fall Fan Fest on 14 October, alongside an interview with the creators about their decision to centre the story on a child and take the series in a darker direction.

Unlike the original anime, which followed David Martinez and his relationship with netrunner Lucy, the sequel introduces Roman Carax, a young boy fascinated...

Apple has revealed the repair costs for iPhone Duo, with customers facing bills of up to $1,499 for certain types of damage without AppleCare+ coverage.

According to Apple’s published repair estimates, replacing the iPhone Duo’s inner folding display will cost $999, roughly half the device’s $1,999 starting price. More extensive repairs classified as “other damage” could reach $1,499, equivalent to 75% of the phone’s original cost.

The company disclosed the prices ahead of the iPhone Duo’s pre-order launch on 16 October. The device is scheduled to go on sale on 23 October.

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Uzbekistan has introduced tougher penalties for sexual crimes against children under 14, including prison sentences of up to 25 years or life imprisonment.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed legislation amending five codes and six laws, according to Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration.

“Violence against a child is unacceptable, and punishment must be severe,” Mirziyoyeva wrote. “Anyone who harms a child’s life, health or dignity must know that they will not escape strict punishment.”

The law removes the statute of limitations for serious sexual offences against children and rules out suspended sentences or early...

Uzbekistan has registered Samarkand bread, known locally as Samarqand noni, as a trademark, strengthening legal protection for one of the country’s best-known traditional foods.

The Ministry of Justice announced the registration on October 14, saying it would help preserve the product’s identity, protect its name and increase its commercial value.

The decision follows an earlier move in February 2025, when Samarkand bread received geographical indication status, recognising its connection to the region where it is traditionally produced.

Read more: Uzbek bread named among world’s 50 best by CNN Travel

The...

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) opened ticket sales on October 14 for the 2026 World Chess Championship, where Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov will challenge reigning champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India.

The championship will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 22 to December 12, with the opening game scheduled for November 24.

Both grandmasters will be 20 years old when the competition begins, making it the youngest world championship match in chess history.

Read more: Sindarov and Assaubayeva top updated FIDE Circuit chess rankings

Gukesh will defend the title he won...

Malaysia’s return to Formula 1 generated nearly RM950mn ($232mn) in economic activity, strengthening the country’s case for bringing the championship back to Sepang permanently.

The October 2–4 Bahrain Grand Prix, relocated to Malaysia because of the conflict in the Middle East, attracted approximately 261,000 spectators over three days, including 103,000 on race day.

Absolute cinema 🍿 #F1 #BahrainGP https://t.co/j0FaDmQIeM

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 6, 2026

Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Taufiq Johari disclosed the figures in a written parliamentary reply on October 13.

More than 97,000 tickets were sold, while over 50,000 international tourists and...

Indonesian police have named 223 people and nine companies as suspects in forest fire investigations as toxic haze spreads across Southeast Asia, disrupting schools and affecting public health in several countries.

The National Police announced on October 14 that they were investigating 273 cases involving more than 5,150 hectares of burned land. Another 25,600 hectares have been linked to cases involving nine companies.

Wildfire smoke has turned skies yellow over Indonesia’s Central Kalimantan province, as peatland fires rage near homes and farms across Borneo and Sumatra. Fuelled by slash-and-burn land clearing, the crisis...

Apple‘s new Home Collection brings smart door locks, security cameras and thermostats into one system, allowing users to manage their homes directly from an iPhone without installing separate apps.

Developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric, the collection includes eight devices, with US prices ranging from $39.95 for a temperature sensor to $399.95 for an outdoor security camera with floodlights.

The accessories will become available from December 2026, with some arriving in early 2027. They work with Apple’s new HomeView display as well as compatible HomePod and Apple TV devices.

What devices are included in Apple...

Apple‘s fourth-generation Apple TV 4K starts at $299, introducing hands-free Siri AI, a remote that can be tracked through Find My and support for four-speaker surround sound.

The streaming device features Apple’s A19 chip, delivering up to 50% faster CPU performance and twice the graphics performance of the previous generation. It also adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 128GB of storage.

Pre-orders opened on October 13, with sales beginning November 13 in the US and 29 other countries and regions.

How to use Apple TV 4K’s new features

Hands-free Siri AI

Apple TV...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) outlined its development priorities for Karakalpakstan on October 14, focusing on water security, transport infrastructure, reporter of Kursiv Uzbekistan informs.

The plans were presented during the opening of ADB Days at Berdakh Karakalpak State University in Nukus, where regional officials and ADB representatives gathered to discuss ongoing investments and future priorities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan Kanokpan Lao-Araya highlighted the results of more than two decades of investment in Karakalpakstan.

“Today, many of these investments are delivering tangible results and creating new opportunities for growth and...

Apple’s HomePod mini 2 costs $149 and introduces AI-powered Siri, music-reactive lighting and four-speaker surround sound. However, its headline Siri AI feature will not be available when the speaker goes on sale on October 30.

The second-generation smart speaker uses Apple’s S10 chip, which processes audio in real time to optimise volume, dynamic range and sound quality. It retains the compact spherical design of the original HomePod mini but introduces five colour options: pink, green, blue, white and midnight.

Pre-orders opened on October 13 in more than 24 countries and regions, including the US and UK.

Apple‘s new HomeView smart home display starts at $299, offering facial recognition, an AI-powered Siri assistant and control over connected household devices. However, some of its most advanced features require a compatible iPhone or iPad.

The device features a 7-inch Liquid Retina touchscreen powered by Apple’s A18 chip. It can manage smart lights, locks, thermostats and security cameras while providing access to FaceTime, Messages, Apple Music and other services.

Pre-orders opened on October 13, with sales beginning November 13 in selected countries.

How to use HomeView’s new features

Personalised Siri AI

HomeView supports conversational

BTS member Jimin celebrated his 31st birthday on October 13, with fans organising large-scale celebrations across several countries and fellow group member Jin sharing a personal birthday message.

Jin posted on the fan platform Weverse, explaining that it was still October 12 in his location but the app had reminded him to congratulate Jimin.

The message came as BTS fans, known collectively as ARMY, organised events ranging from decorated public transport to charity fundraisers in honour of the singer.

Fans turn Jimin’s birthday into a global celebration

In Peru, fans transformed

Samsung‘s upcoming Galaxy smart glasses could weigh just 41 grams and offer 3K video recording, according to a new leak revealing specifications, battery life and multiple designs ahead of their expected November launch.

The information, first reported by SammyGuru on October 13, suggests Samsung is preparing a lightweight alternative to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.

Developed in partnership with Google, the glasses will run Android XR and integrate the Gemini AI assistant. Unlike traditional augmented reality headsets, they will reportedly have no built-in displays, relying instead on cameras, microphones and speakers.

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