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Uzbekistan is expanding its collaboration with U.S.-based technology company NVIDIA as part of its plans to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov discussed new areas of partnership with the company’s leadership during his working visit to the United States.

According to the Ministry, the cooperation will focus on three priorities:

training specialists, building AI research capacity, and deploying high-performance computing systems in key sectors of the economy.

One of the planned initiatives is the establishment of a Centre for AI Excellence in Uzbekistan. The facility will offer training for university...

OpenAI has asked the U.S. government to provide loan guarantees to support a large-scale expansion of its computing infrastructure that could ultimately exceed $1 trillion, Barron’s reports.

According to OpenAI’s Chief Financial Officer, Sarah Friar, government-backed guarantees would help the company attract the enormous investment required for AI data centres, especially given the uncertain lifespan of such facilities. State support, she noted, would significantly widen the pool of potential lenders, as many banks and financial institutions are subject to strict limits on high-risk financing.

The request comes amid a surge in spending on AI computing capacity, raising questions over...

Uzbekistan’s triathlete Konstantin Belousov claimed a confident victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Goa, held on 9 November 2025 in the Indian state of Goa. Belousov completed the course in 4:25:47, finishing first among more than 1,300 athletes from 31 countries.

This was the fifth edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa, which saw a record number of participants. The race began under the flag raised by Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa. Competitors were challenged with the classic middle-distance triathlon format: 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride, and 21.1 km run.

Belousov crossed the finish line ahead of contenders from Germany and...

Internet access in Uzbekistan is now near-universal, with nine out of ten residents online. Over the past year, mobile internet speeds increased by 53.4%, while fixed-line broadband grew by 25%, according to the Digital 2026: Uzbekistan report.

Internet Use Becomes the Norm

DataReportal estimates that by the end of 2025, 33.1 million people in Uzbekistan—or 89% of the population—were using the internet. The remaining 11% are mostly rural residents and older age groups who remain offline.

Mobile Connectivity Reaches Almost Everyone

By October 2025, Uzbekistan had 33.9 million active mobile connections, representing 91.1% of the population. According to...

Uzbekistan plans to create a special tax-free zone for artificial intelligence (AI) projects and data centers in the western region of Karakalpakstan, Reuters reports, citing the government.

The initiative targets foreign companies willing to invest $100 mln or more. These investors will receive full exemption from taxes and duties until 2040.

To support the projects, the government will build the necessary infrastructure and provide electricity at preferential rates.

Officials in Tashkent have not yet announced a timeline for the start of construction. Reuters also notes that the government has not disclosed which companies might join the program.

This move...

Uzbekistan has set a new record in its financial history. According to the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the country’s combined gold and foreign currency reserves have exceeded $59 bn, marking an unprecedented milestone.

The increase was rapid. In just one month, reserves jumped by more than $4 bn. In October 2025, the total stood at $54.9 bn, and now the figure has reached $59.3 bn.

Gold remains the backbone of Uzbekistan’s financial stability. While the physical volume of gold in reserves has remained steady at 11.9 mln troy ounces, the total value surged to $47.8 billion...

Uzbekistan’s First Lady Ziroat Mirziyoyeva has been named among the 100 most influential women in oncology. The announcement was made by presidential spokesperson Sherzod Asadov.

The ranking was prepared by OncoDaily, an international platform focused on cancer research and healthcare. The list highlights women who have made a strong impact in oncology and public health.

Experts noted Mirziyoyeva’s work in promoting early detection and treatment of childhood cancers. She supports national programs that improve access to diagnosis and medical treatment for young patients. Her initiatives also include training medical specialists and raising awareness among families.

Mirziyoyeva has played a...

Lando Norris held off Kimi Antonelli to claim victory in a dramatic Sao Paulo Sprint at Interlagos on Saturday, extending his lead in the Drivers’ Championship over team mate Oscar Piastri.

The 24-lap dash began under cloudy skies on a damp track, with drivers splitting between soft and medium slick tyres. Norris, starting on medium tyres from pole, made a strong getaway, while Antonelli struggled slightly off the line but retained second ahead of Piastri and George Russell. Max Verstappen moved up to fifth after passing Fernando Alonso.

Red Flag

Lap two saw early chaos when Bearman was spun...

Olivia Rodrigo has publicly criticised the Trump administration after her music was used without permission in a video shared by the White House and the Department of Homeland Security.

The clip, posted jointly on Instagram, featured her track All-American Bitch from her chart-topping album Guts. The video shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detaining and deporting people, followed by footage of others apparently departing the United States voluntarily while smiling and giving thumbs up. The post urged viewers to «leave now» via a government app or «face the consequences.»

Rodrigo responded in the comments, writing: «don’t ever use my...

Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar lead the field for the 2026 Grammy Awards, while K-Pop makes its debut in the song of the year category. Lamar has the most nominations for the second consecutive year, with nine, including album of the year for GNX. Gaga is nominated for album of the year for Mayhem and has seven nods overall.

Two K-Pop tracks are up for song of the year: Rosé and Bruno Mars’ APT, and Huntr/x’s Golden from Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. Rosé is the first K-Pop idol to be shortlisted for one of the “Big...

Sydney Sweeney is once again at the centre of online debate after new video footage surfaced of her addressing the controversy surrounding her American Eagle campaign from earlier this year.

The advert, which ran with the tagline «Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,» played on the phrase «great genes.» In one clip, the actor, who is blonde and blue-eyed, spoke directly about inherited traits while highlighting her own appearance. Many critics argued the campaign inadvertently upheld notions associated with racial purity and eugenics.

The backlash intensified when the White House publicly defended the advert and President Donald Trump

Uzbekistan has introduced a tax-free zone in its western Karakalpakstan region targeting artificial intelligence and data centre projects, Reuters reports.

Foreign investors committing $100 mln or more will be granted full exemption from taxes and duties until 2040. The government will provide essential infrastructure and offer electricity at reduced rates.

Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region in Uzbekistan’s far west, is one of the poorest areas in the country. It has suffered heavily from the shrinking of the Aral Sea, much of which was diverted for Soviet-era irrigation projects.

The authorities have not specified when construction of the infrastructure will...

US President Donald Trump has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on Russian oil and gas, a White House official confirmed to BBC News.

The decision follows discussions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close Trump ally, who argued that his landlocked nation faces difficulties sourcing energy from elsewhere. Speaking during Orban’s visit to the White House on November 7, Trump said an exemption was being considered because “it’s very difficult for him [Orban] to get the oil and gas from other areas”.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto later announced on X that Budapest had received “a...

Uzbekistan has concluded bilateral negotiations on market access with Ecuador, marking another important step towards securing membership of the World Trade Organization. The agreement was reached on 6 November, according to Azizbek Urunov, the President’s representative for WTO affairs.

«I would like to sincerely thank the Ecuadorian side for their constructive dialogue and support. We have full confidence in the process and take great pride in our joint efforts,» Urunov said.

With this stage now complete, Uzbekistan needs to finalise terms with only two remaining WTO member states before the accession negotiations can be...

Governments attending the COP30 climate summit in Brazil are preparing for the possibility that the Trump administration could attempt to disrupt negotiations, even if no senior US officials are present.

The White House has confirmed it will not send high-level representatives, noting that President Donald Trump outlined his stance on climate change at the UN. General Assembly in September, calling it the world’s “greatest con job”. Despite this, the US could still send negotiators during the conference from November 10–21, ahead of its formal exit from the Paris Agreement in January.

Three European officials told Reuters that the EU...

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has confirmed that Uzbekistan has deposited its Instrument of Accession to the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage.

Congratulations to ?? Uzbekistan on officially depositing its Instrument of Accession to the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, reflecting the country’s swift and decisive commitment to reinforce nuclear safety and responsibility. pic.twitter.com/dZuiGRkcy7

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) November 7, 2025

Grossi congratulated Uzbekistan on the move, noting that it demonstrates the country’s «swift and firm commitment to strengthening nuclear safety and...

US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the C5+1 summit held in Washington has opened a new chapter in cooperation with Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries.

«Now, the Leaders of this strategic Region, which is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and is blessed with ABUNDANT Critical Minerals, Hydrocarbons, and Human Talent, have a President of the United States of America who intends to be fully engaged,» he said in his post.

He stated that the summit resulted in the signing of multi-billion dollar agreements that...

The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Embassy of Uzbekistan, hosted the launch of «Shavkat Mirziyoyev: A Great Leader of Reforms and Regional Integration.»

Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi attended as chief guest, alongside Uzbek Ambassador Alisher Tuhtayev, ISSI Director General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, and author Dr Mehmood-ul-Hasan Khan.

Speakers praised President Mirziyoyev’s visionary reforms, highlighting his efforts to modernise Uzbekistan, reduce poverty, and promote regional integration through initiatives like the Trans-Afghan Railway and Surkhan–Pul-e-Khumri Power Project.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood emphasised the growing Pakistan–Uzbekistan partnership rooted in shared history, trade...

China’s JA Solar has signed a supply agreement with engineering and construction giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to deliver 1.2GW of photovoltaic modules for two large-scale solar projects in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region.

The Samarkand 1 and 2 projects, developed by Saudi firm ACWA Power, support Uzbekistan’s goal of generating 25% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. JA Solar said the partnership highlights confidence in its high-efficiency technology designed to maximise output in diverse conditions.

Uzbekistan’s renewable expansion continues rapidly, with over 3GW already connected to the grid and 3.2GW more in development. The EBRD recently pledged US$142 mln...

Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan joined US President Donald Trump and other Central Asian leaders at the White House for a landmark C5+1 summit, highlighting Washington’s renewed focus on the region’s strategic role.

The talks centred on energy transition, infrastructure and regional security, particularly Afghanistan’s stability, as the US seeks to strengthen economic and political links with Central Asia amid growing competition with China and Russia.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the region’s largest and most reform-driven economies, are seen as key partners in advancing balanced diplomacy and attracting global investment. Both nations have pursued pragmatic...

For an entire generation, the Harry Potter films brought the wizarding world to life with stunning visuals magical scores and unforgettable performances. Yet, as any devoted reader will tell you, fitting thousands of pages into just a few hours of screen time is an impossible task. Sacrifices must be made.

While the films captured the core of the magic, they inevitably missed some of the finer details nuance and beloved subplots that made the books so rich. From secret benefactors to the true origins of magical artefacts, we explore 15 fascinating details that never made the final cut.

Harry...

Mobile payment services Apple Pay and Google Pay are set to become available in Uzbekistan. The initiative was announced during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s meeting with representatives of American business circles in Washington.

Work to introduce these payment systems is being carried out in partnership with Google and other technology companies. Uzbekistan is also developing a Digital Academy and a network of start-up hubs to support innovation and new talent.

During the discussions, the sides also considered future projects in uranium extraction and the processing of rare earth metals. The plan is to apply American technologies in these sectors and...

Apple has stopped signing the iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 beta 1 updates for the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e and cellular M5 iPad Pro, just one day after their release to developers.

The company has not confirmed the reason, but all affected devices use Apple’s new C1 and C1X modems, suggesting a possible bug linked to the chips. Users enrolled in the beta programme can still see the update, but installation now fails.

Analyst Max Weinbach reported that his iPad Pro entered recovery mode after installing the update, requiring a rollback to iPadOS 26.1. Apple has since completely pulled the...

Rockstar Games has pushed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI to 19 November 2026, marking the game’s second delay after moving from an original Holiday 2025 window to 26 May 2026.

Rockstar said the extra time is needed to polish the title «to the level fans expect,» with the launch planned for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Parent company Take-Two backed the decision, with CEO Strauss Zelnick noting the publisher will always allow more time if needed to deliver the best version.

The shift raises questions about the PC release timeline, which Rockstar has indicated will arrive...