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Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani said ties between Tehran and Islamabad could evolve into a «lasting strategic partnership,» calling for deeper cooperation in security, defense and economic affairs.

Speaking in Tehran on Tuesday during a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) highlighted the geopolitical significance of both nations in shaping regional stability.

Larijani described the recent Pakistan–Saudi Arabia strategic agreement as «a wise and positive step in the face of common threats,» and urged greater coordination among Muslim countries to confront shared challenges.

He thanked Pakistan for...

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow is prepared to offer «security guarantees» to the European Union and NATO, insisting that Russia harbors no hostile intentions toward Western countries.

Speaking at the International Conference on Eurasian Security in Minsk, Lavrov said Russia «has never had and does not have any plans to attack NATO or EU member states» and is willing to formalize that stance through new regional security agreements.

However, Lavrov criticized European leaders for what he called their refusal to engage with Moscow on a collective security framework.

«The...

The United States is scaling back its military footprint in Romania as part of a broader Pentagon plan to reduce force levels in Europe, Romania’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The move will end the rotation of a U.S. Army brigade to the Black Sea ally—a presence established after Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine to bolster NATO’s eastern flank. The 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade, now nearing the end of a nine-month tour, will not be backfilled, officials said.

Romania called the change an expected result of «new priorities» set by the U.S. administration earlier this year. The ministry...

Renders of Google’s upcoming Pixel 10a have surfaced online — and if they look familiar, that’s because they are. The leaked images suggest the company’s next affordable smartphone will be nearly identical to the Pixel 9a, with almost no visible design changes.

The render, reportedly based on official CAD files, shows a flat back panel, dual rear cameras in a flush housing, and the same slightly chunky display bezels as the previous model. The only notable difference is a new blue color option, which may not even make it to production.

According to reports, the Pixel 10a will feature...

High-level negotiations between Pakistan and the Taliban in Istanbul have ended in failure, with both sides accusing each other of sabotaging efforts to reduce cross-border attacks and improve security cooperation.

The four-day dialogue, hosted by Turkey and Qatar, was aimed at easing months of escalating tension marked by deadly clashes, border closures, and Pakistan’s mass deportation of undocumented Afghans. Instead, the talks concluded with mutual recriminations and no joint statement.

Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, said in a statement that the meeting «failed to produce any workable solution,» blaming the Taliban for refusing to offer...

The world of work is changing faster than it has in decades. Artificial intelligence, flexible workplaces and new employee values are redefining how organisations work, collaborate and succeed. Three major 2025 studies by Gallup, Gensler and Microsoft show a global effort to balance technology with human needs.

Falling engagement, rising pressure

Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2025 report shows that only 21% of employees worldwide feel engaged at work, the lowest level in five years. The study estimates that disengagement costs the global economy $438 bn a year driven by burnout and poor workplace culture.

When Apple introduced Sleep Score at its iPhone 17 and watchOS 26 launch event, it framed the feature as a major leap in Apple Watch sleep tracking. Tim Cook’s keynote slide boasted that the Apple Watch would now «quantify your night» through a simple, scientific-looking number out of 100.

For many users, including myself, it sounded like Apple was finally getting serious about sleep science. But after a full month of testing Sleep Score every night, I’ve reached a different conclusion: the Apple Watch Sleep Score is more cosmetic than scientific. It looks useful, but it fails to measure what...

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said he is «hopeful» the company can re-enter China, as U.S. President Donald Trump signalled he would discuss Nvidia’s state-of-the-art Blackwell AI chips with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.

Speaking on the sidelines of Nvidia’s GTC in Washington, Huang said he had «100 per cent confidence» in Trump’s ability to strike a deal. He noted Nvidia’s China market share had slid from about 95% to zero under U.S. export curbs and a domestic downturn, adding that the company’s base case now excludes China — but any reversal would be «a huge bonus.»

Anticipation of...

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has issued a sharp warning to Moscow, declaring that any missile attack on Brussels would prompt an immediate and overwhelming NATO response.

«If Putin launches a missile at Brussels, we will wipe Moscow off the map,» Francken told De Morgen, underscoring NATO’s commitment to collective defence under Article 5.

He dismissed ongoing speculation about the United States’ dedication to the alliance under President Donald Trump.

«The bias against the American government is unbelievable,» he said. «Trump has clearly stated that America will continue to support...

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau recently visited Uzbekistan with U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor to discuss trade and investment in critical minerals and energy, as well as regional cooperation under the C5+1 framework.

Apart from business, Landau has shared his admiration for Uzbekistan’s rich hospitality culture and culinary traditions, taking to his personal X (formerly Twitter) account to post a series of enthusiastic reflections and photos.

Landau, who previously served as the US Ambassador to Mexico, described the Uzbek approach to hospitality as «like nothing I’ve ever experienced before,» praising how every...

Uzbekistan has climbed two positions to rank 81st in the latest World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, according to the organisation’s newly released 2025 report.

The country was also highlighted among those showing the strongest annual progress in strengthening legal systems and governance standards worldwide.

Within Central Asia, Kazakhstan remains the regional leader, ranking 66th, despite slipping one spot compared with last year. Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, dropped to 104th place.

Globally, Denmark retained its top position, followed by Norway, Finland, and Sweden, which continue to dominate the world’s highest rule of law standards.

The World Justice Project’s annual...

The Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oracle following a productive meeting on expanding cooperation in digital education and skills development.

The agreement outlines plans to launch Oracle Academy programmes in universities and higher education institutions, providing educators with free access to training materials, software, and cloud resources. It also includes initiatives through Oracle University to expand access to professional certifications and digital learning paths, alongside efforts to promote awareness of intellectual property rights and digital compliance.

In collaboration with Uzbekistan’s Digital Education Development Centre, these projects aim to equip students...

OpenAI has completed its transition into a for-profit company, allowing it to raise new capital and potentially prepare for a stock market debut. As part of the move, Microsoft has taken a 27% stake in the ChatGPT developer, reshaping their partnership first established in 2019.

The new deal allows Microsoft to pursue artificial general intelligence (AGI) independently, while OpenAI will form an expert panel to verify any future AGI claims. CEO Sam Altman will not hold equity in the company.

Microsoft’s rights to use OpenAI’s AI models now extend until 2032, excluding hardware. Following the announcement, Microsoft’s market value...

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending $142 mln (€121 mln) in financing for two special-purpose vehicles developing Uzbekistan’s largest solar and battery energy storage system to date.

The projects named ACWA Power Sazagan Solar 1 and ACWA Power Sazagan Solar 2 are led by Saudi-based ACWA Power, with Japanese partners Sumitomo Corporation, Shikoku Electric Power, and Chubu Electric Power.

Dual Projects in Samarkand and Bukhara

The EBRD’s package includes two secured loans:

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved $250 mln for the Asian Development Bank’s «Glaciers to Farms» programme, aimed at strengthening water and agricultural systems in regions reliant on melting glaciers across Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan.

The GCF funds will complement $3.25 bn in ADB investments over the next decade. Projects will focus on irrigation, reservoirs, and watershed management to help farmers adapt to worsening droughts and floods.

Covering nine countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the programme will operate in four glacier-fed basins — the Naryn, Panj, Kura, and Swat — benefiting around...

Tashkent International Airport has completed a major phase of its reconstruction, unveiling an expanded arrival hall, a new open-air terrace, and an upgraded VIP lounge in the departure terminal.

As part of the project, the arrival hall has been enlarged by 2,200 square metres through a forward extension of the building facade. The reception area now covers about 5,000 square metres and includes seating for around 200 people. Several new cafes, bars, and ice-cream kiosks will soon open in the space, along with a shop and a flower stand.

Improved Access and Transport

A new access road has...

Britain’s Cameron Norrie pulled off the biggest win of his career on October 28, defeating world number one Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-3 6-4 to reach the third round of the Paris Masters and snap the Spaniard’s 17-match winning streak at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.

Fresh from lifting his eighth title of the season in Tokyo, Alcaraz looked uncharacteristically out of rhythm, committing 54 unforced errors and showing visible frustration during tense exchanges with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero.

After taking the first set, the six-time Grand Slam champion lost momentum, while Norrie grew increasingly composed. The Brit, ranked 31st...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic signed a Joint Declaration and 11 agreements aimed at expanding cooperation between the two nations during talks held in Tashkent.

The agreements cover a wide range of areas, including economy, investment, medicine, tourism, education, science, culture, advanced technology and artificial intelligence. Additional documents were signed to promote collaboration in diplomatic training, labour migration, sport, and a partnership between Tashkent and Belgrade.

Before the signing ceremony, the two leaders held talks at the Kuksaroy residence, where they discussed joint projects and agreed to hold the first Intergovernmental Commission meeting...

High-level talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have reached a deadlock in Istanbul, with Kabul’s delegation reportedly resisting Islamabad’s core security and border-related proposals.

Sources familiar with the discussions told Samaa TV that the Taliban team, operating under direct instructions from Kabul, has refused to accept Pakistan’s «legitimate and reasonable» demands aimed at enhancing regional stability.

Despite mediation efforts by host countries, no progress has been achieved after three days of negotiations. Facilitators have reportedly agreed that Pakistan’s proposals are fair, but efforts to bridge the divide have failed.

«The Pakistani delegation’s position is logical and indispensable for...

China’s UN envoy Fu Cong proposed preliminary guidelines for United Nations structural reform at a UN80 Initiative briefing, urging a carefully sequenced process that is transparent, consensus-driven, and results-oriented.

Fu said reforms must be «carefully planned before action,» with the Secretariat drawing on past experience, conducting rigorous assessments, and consulting widely with member states. He called for reforms to be «guided in the right direction,» strengthening the central role of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in development, improving internal coordination, and tailoring regional changes to local needs. Resident coordinators, he added, should avoid mandate creep into...

Fawlty Towers actress Prunella Scales has died aged 93, her family confirmed. The actress, who famously portrayed Sybil Fawlty, the sharp-tongued, commanding wife of hotel owner Basil, passed away peacefully at her London home.

In a statement to PA News, her sons Samuel and Joseph said:

«Our darling mother Prunella Scales died peacefully at home in London yesterday. She was 93.» They added that she had been watching Fawlty Towers the day before her death.

Scales was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013 but continued to live at home despite retiring from a career...

Members of Uzbekistan’s Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis have approved a draft law ratifying the tripartite agreement between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the exact junction point of their state borders. The document has now been sent to the Senate for consideration.

The treaty was signed on March 31 2025 in Khujand during a meeting between the leaders of the three countries. It specifies the precise location where the borders of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan converge and describes the demarcation lines in the surrounding area.

Lawmakers noted that the ratification of this agreement will help strengthen good-neighbourly relations...

Uzbekistan’s national digital ecosystem Uzum has announced a new bond issuance worth 400 bn soums ($33.2 mln), marking the company’s second entry into the domestic debt market.

The bonds carry a 24% annual coupon rate and a two-year maturity period, with each bond valued at 100 mln soums ($8.3 mln). The placement will take place on the Republican Stock Exchange «Toshkent.»

According to Uzum’s Chief Financial Officer Nikita Gulyaev, the company’s first bond issue demonstrated robust investor confidence and a growing appetite for new financial instruments in Uzbekistan’s capital market.

«The first bond placement confirmed strong...

The FIA has confirmed that Aston Martin committed a procedural breach during the 2024 Formula 1 cost cap submission process, while all other nine teams were found to be fully compliant.

According to the governing body, the issue stemmed from a missing auditor signature, despite Aston Martin submitting its financial accounts before the deadline. The FIA acknowledged that the problem was caused by circumstances beyond the team’s control, and resolved the matter through an Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA) with the British outfit.

The announcement came after speculation that one team had significantly exceeded the cost cap. The FIA’s final...