News

Over 100 people were forced to take refuge at a mountain-top shrine in Japan after heavy snow made surrounding roads impassable.

Public broadcaster NHK reported that around 130 visitors spent Friday night in the halls and lobbies of Mitsumine Shrine in Saitama prefecture after authorities closed nearby roads over safety concerns. Local officials confirmed that occupants of roughly 50 cars stayed inside the shrine and said no one had become ill.

Japan is currently experiencing heavy snowfall, with up to 40cm expected in some areas on Saturday. The Japan Meteorological Agency reports that up to 80cm of snow has...

Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the managers of a Crans-Montana bar where a fire killed 40 people and injured 119, officials said.

The French couple, identified by media as Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence, according to the Valais prosecutor’s office.

Eight Swiss victims have been identified so far, all aged 16-24, with many of the dead and missing believed to be teenagers. A preliminary investigation suggests the fire at Le Constellation may have started when sparklers on bottles were carried too close...

Uzbekistan plans to draft and adopt 29 new legal and regulatory acts in 2026 as part of its efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), a presidential representative said.

Azizbek Urunov, the president’s envoy on WTO accession, said the country has already completed bilateral market access negotiations with 33 of the WTO’s 34 members involved in the process. Talks with Taiwan remain unresolved.

In 2025, Uzbekistan adopted 30 legal documents linked to WTO accession, including laws, presidential decrees, government resolutions and sector-specific regulations, Urunov said.

The 29 new acts will cover key areas of trade regulation, including customs...

Telegram has unveiled its first large-scale update of 2026, adding new tools for content consumption and rolling out a refreshed interface for iOS devices.

The update introduces AI-powered summaries that automatically condense lengthy posts in channels and Instant View pages. Users can quickly grasp the key points of long articles and see short summaries displayed at the top of Instant View pages.

Telegram said the feature is powered by open-source AI models running on the decentralised Cocoon network. The company said this approach ensures user data protection and encryption during request processing.

New iOS design

The iOS version...

The United States has told airlines its Caribbean airspace restrictions will expire at midnight ET (0500 GMT), allowing flights to resume as schedules are updated, Reuters reports.

The announcement followed the cancellation of hundreds of flights after the U.S. military captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Major carriers, including United Airlines and Delta, said they expected to resume normal Caribbean operations by Sunday. United confirmed a flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday night and said it expects most scheduled flights to operate on Sunday. Delta also said it plans to fly its normal schedule, adjusting resources as...

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States was placing Venezuela under temporary American control after U.S. forces captured President Nicolas Maduro in a surprise operation and flew him to New York to face drug-trafficking charges.

«We will run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,» Trump said during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. «We can’t take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela who doesn’t have the interests of Venezuelans in mind.»

Raid and arrest

Uzbekistan boosted electricity production by 6.4% in 2025, reaching 86.7 bn kWh. Supply to consumers rose 14% to over 77 bn kWh, narrowing the gap between production and delivery.

Renewables now provide around 20% of the country’s electricity. Solar and wind output more than doubled to 10.5 bn kWh. Hydro, solar, and wind together generated 16.8 bn kWh. These green sources saved 3.2 bn m³ of gas and prevented 4.7 mln tonnes of emissions.

Last year, Uzbekistan launched 42 projects with a total capacity of 4,647 MW, including solar, wind, battery storage, a thermal plant, and cogeneration units. Construction began on 21 more projects totalling 3,508 MW.

The country also upgraded its...

Uzbekistan aims to boost exports to Iraq and Syria in 2026, with potential shipments reaching $650 mln, according to Chamber of Commerce head Davron Vakhabov. Electrical equipment and construction materials hold the greatest potential in both markets.

Iraq imports around $93 bn worth of goods annually. Uzbek exports could rise to $500 mln next year, up from the current $50 mln, with Erbil serving as a key duty-free hub for regional trade, including shipments to Syria.

In Syria, demand spans food, electrical equipment, vehicles, spare parts, and lubricants. Uzbek companies could export $100–150 mln in 2026. Transport costs are around $3,300 to Baghdad...

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that global renewable freshwater availability per capita has fallen by 7% over the past ten years, highlighting a sharp escalation of the worldwide water crisis.

New data from the AQUASTAT database show that almost every region now faces declining water resources. Central Asia stands out among the most affected regions, having lost 12% of its available water. Experts link this trend primarily to the region’s water-use model, where agriculture accounts for more than 80% of total withdrawals.

To measure shortages, FAO specialists use the «water stress» indicator, which compares water abstraction with available...

The United States has formally brought charges against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a post on X.

Maduro is accused of conspiring to engage in narco-terrorism, organising the trafficking of cocaine into the United States, and possessing weapons and explosive devices allegedly intended for potential use against the US.

The case against the couple will be heard in the Southern District of New York.

In her statement, the Attorney General said that Maduro and Flores would «soon face American justice on American soil, in American courts».

She...

Uzbekistan is expected to see a steady decline in natural gas production over the next few years, according to the draft Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy. The government now plans to reach 38.7 bn cubic metres by 2030 — a sharp cut from the 62 bn cubic metres goal in the 2023 strategy.

Projections show production slipping in the short term. In 2026, output is likely to hit 37.9 bn cubic metres, followed by 35.6 bn in 2027 and 33.4 bn in 2028. Growth is only expected to return in 2029, rising 23.3% to 41.2 bn cubic metres, though 2026 alone will see a drop of over 6%.

Statistics from the State Committee on...

Zohraan Mamdani officially assumed office as mayor of New York City, taking the oath of office on the Quran, marking the first time a city mayor has used the Islamic holy book for the ceremony, RBC reports.

The private ceremony took place at midnight on New Year’s Eve at the City Hall subway station, near the municipal building. «This is truly an honour and a privilege of a lifetime,» Mamdani said.

The 34-year-old won a landslide victory in November, promising voters free and faster bus services, a network of municipal grocery stores, universal preschool education, and a rent freeze for nearly 2 mln New Yorkers living in rent-regulated apartments.

Mamdani...

The United States has reportedly launched a military operation in Venezuela, according to local media. Early on Saturday morning in Caracas, eyewitnesses reported the presence of aircraft, loud explosions, and rising columns of smoke, Reuters reported.

Residents also said that in the southern part of the city, near a major military base, power outages were occurring.

So far, Venezuelan authorities have not issued any statements clarifying the nature or cause of the incidents.

The reports have drawn attention in light of previous statements by US President Donald Trump, who had repeatedly suggested the possibility of a ground operation in Venezuela to pressure President Nicolás Maduro to step down.

According to Washington...

Spanish rail company Talgo has signed a comprehensive maintenance contract with Joint Stock company «O’zbekiston temir yo’llari»  for Uzbekistan’s fleet of high-speed trains. The agreement, valued at around €80 mln, will run for ten years.

According to El Periódico Digital, the contract covers six Talgo 250 trains operating on Uzbekistan’s high-speed lines under the Afrosiyob brand.

This is Talgo’s largest contract in Uzbekistan and one of the most significant service projects the company has undertaken in recent years.

The deal continues a partnership spanning more than 15 years between the Spanish manufacturer and Uzbekistan’s railways, which began with the delivery of the first Talgo trains for the Tashkent–Samarkand route.

Under the agreement, Talgo will...

Leaders of Central Asian countries have outlined coordinated priorities aimed at accelerating economic development, innovation and investment, signalling a shared regional focus on growth and modernisation.

In Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced a transition to an innovation-driven growth model. He also declared 2026 the Year of Mahalla and Society, highlighting plans to strengthen local communities while advancing broader economic and social reforms.

Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov emphasised the completion of longstanding border issues, describing the resolution as a key foundation for national security and improved investment attractiveness. According to the Kyrgyz leadership, stable borders are expected to...

Uzbekistan will implement mandatory publication of state procurement results starting in 2026, as part of measures to increase competition and transparency in public contracts.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on December 26, which sets out reforms to make the state procurement system more competitive, transparent, and service-oriented. The decree is published on Lex.uz.

By 2030, the government aims to increase the share of competitive procurement methods to 80% of all contracts, achieve savings of UZS 25 trillion, double business participation, and raise the share of domestically produced goods to 98%.

From January 1, 2026, the list of goods, works, and services that could be procured via direct contracts will be cancelled...

New immigration restrictions signed by former President Donald Trump came into effect in the United States on January 1. The rules affect both travellers and visa applicants from several countries.

Under the updated guidance, individuals from Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Syriaare not allowed to enter the U.S. The travel ban also continues for Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Partial restrictions remain in place for Venezuela and Cuba. The White House said the measures are for national security and public safety, while immigrant advocates argue they target African...

Legendary investor Warren Buffett has officially stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the age of 95. Buffett spent six decades transforming the company from a struggling textile business into one of the largest and most influential conglomerates in the world.

Buffett’s longtime deputy and handpicked successor, Greg Abel, officially takes over as CEO. In a letter to shareholders in November, Buffett praised Abel, writing: «He is a great manager, a tireless worker and an honest communicator. Wish him an extended tenure.»

Together with his late business partner Charlie Munger, Buffett built Berkshire Hathaway into a global powerhouse. The company owns diverse businesses including insurance companies, railroads, Dairy Queen...

Victoria Jones, the 34-year-old daughter of actor Tommy Lee Jones, was found dead at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel on Thursday, January 1, according to multiple reports.

The San Francisco Fire Department confirmed they responded to a medical emergency at the hotel just before 3 a.m. local time. Upon arrival, paramedics discovered an unnamed adult female deceased at the scene. The San Francisco Police Department later confirmed officers were on site and declared the individual dead. NBC Bay Area reported that law enforcement sources believe the woman was Victoria Jones. No foul play is suspected, and the cause of death has not been made...

Uzbekistan has announced a customs duty exemption for EV charging equipment, its components, and related service infrastructure from January 1, 2026 until January 1, 2028, the government said. The measure aims to accelerate the adoption of clean transport and strengthen the country’s green infrastructure.

The presidential decree also allows duty-free import of spare parts for silkworm spinning and weaving machines, mulberry seeds and saplings, and super-elite, elite, and industrial silkworm seeds during the same period.

In addition, the government has introduced tax incentives for companies involved in waste processing. Between January 1, 2026 and January 1, 2031, corporate profit tax and social tax will be set at 1% for...

The Uzbek government has approved a festival for artists and photographers, which will be held in the city of Babur in May 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced. The event will take place every two years.

Winners of the festival will receive a Chevrolet Onix from the President of Uzbekistan, along with a diploma, a commemorative statuette and a cash prize.

Applicants must submit their documents to the organisers by February 1. Required materials include a personal questionnaire (CV) and three 6×9 colour photographs.

Participants also need to provide proof of experience, such as participation in previous exhibitions or festivals. In addition, applicants must...

In an interview with blogger Kirill Altman on the YouTube channel AlterEgo, Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration, said that successful reforms require flexibility and a wise approach, rather than rigidity.

She noted that while reforms in the country are still in their early stages, their impact is already being felt. In particular, doing business has become easier. Yet, she emphasised, many problems persist, especially outside the main cities.

Mirziyoyeva explained that the government’s capacity to tackle these issues is limited, citing geographical, financial and infrastructure constraints. Much of the country’s infrastructure remains outdated, as in other post-Soviet states. Updating it, she said...

From January 1, 2026, Kazakhstan will take over the chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has addressed leaders of member states, outlining the country’s priorities for its leadership term.

Kazakhstan plans to share expertise in artificial intelligence, digital regulation and economic transformation. The country also aims to support innovation, digitalisation of industry and agriculture, and fund breakthrough projects across the union.

A key priority is to speed up the movement of goods within EAEU countries, reducing bureaucratic barriers and delays. Trade within the union is expected to be barrier-free, with restrictions and prohibitions removed.

The EAEU under Kazakhstan will...

China is expected to play a dominant role in the global processing of critical minerals by 2030. The country is projected to control almost 60% of global processing capacity for lithium, rare earth elements, cobalt and graphite, according to industry forecasts.

China’s strongest position remains in rare earth elements. By 2030, it is expected to account for 86.11% of global rare earth processing, far ahead of all other countries. The United States ranks second in this segment with a share of 5.14%, giving it one of its most competitive positions in the critical minerals supply chain.

Nickel is the only major mineral where...