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US President-elect Donald Trump has left open the possibility of using force to secure the Panama Canal and Greenland, according to Euronews.

During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump emphasised that controlling these territories is critical to ensuring the national security of the United States. He argued that it is the only way to protect the “free world” from growing threats posed by Russia and China.

As a result, Trump indicated he would consider a range of actions, from economic sanctions to direct military intervention, to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.

Trump also questioned...

Uzbekistan’s gold and foreign currency reserves reached $41.18 bn in 2024, which is a 19.1% increase compared to 2023, according to data from the country’s Central Bank.

Foreign currency assets amounted to $8.6 bn. Of this amount, $8.1 bn was held in international commercial banks. Another $351 mn was held in foreign central banks and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The volume of gold in the country’s reserves reached 12.3 mn troy ounces having increased by 3.36% over the year. In monetary terms, this figure grew from $24.6 bn to $32 bn.

At the same time, various foreign currency...

Ann Altman, the younger sister of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of sexual abuse, Business Insider reports.

In the lawsuit, Ann alleges that Sam Altman subjected her to abuse from the age of three, with incidents occurring throughout the 1990s and 2000s. She claims these experiences led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and physical injuries. Ann is seeking compensation of more than $75,000 and reimbursement for legal costs.

Later, Sam Altman posted a denial letter signed by his mother, Connie, and his younger brothers, Max and Jack.

«Our family loves Annie and...

In the coming years, Russia may increase its gas supplies to Central Asian countries to 12-15 bn cubic metres per year, as reported by TASS, citing Sergey Kaufman, an analyst at Finam.

To boost fuel supplies Moscow, Astana, and Tashkent are working to increase the capacity of the Central Asia-Centre gas pipeline, added Alexey Grivach, Deputy Head of the Russian Energy Security Fund.

Grivach believes that after modernisation, the pipeline’s capacity to Central Asia will rise to 10-12 bn cubic metres per year.

Russia is considering the construction of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline through Mongolia and...

Uzbekistan developed a strategy for managing spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. This announcement was made by Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, the head of Uzatom, in an interview with Trend.az.

The document is currently being coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies, he added.

Akhmedkhadjaev emphasised that the small nuclear power plant under construction in Uzbekistan will use local raw materials as fuel. This will help reduce the cost of electricity generation.

The head of “Uzatom” also noted that agrometeorological monitoring of underground water is being carried out at the site of the power plant construction, based on recommendations from the IAEA...

As of January 7 petrol reserves at Uzbekneftegaz facilities reached 60,000 tonnes, marking a fourfold increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to company representative Gulkhayo Ergasheva.

In December 2024, the company put 130,400 tonnes of petrol up for sale, including 94,700 tonnes of AI-80 petrol.

On December 10 sales volumes doubled reaching 3,600–4,000 tonnes. Between December 11 and December 18, sales quadrupled as the company allocated 8,000 tonnes of petrol for distribution.

According to company data, in November 2024 Uzbekneftegaz sold 1,800 to 2,000 tonnes of AI-80 petrol daily on the exchange.

The company also noted that...

Turkey may conduct a military operation against the Kurds in Syria if they fail to meet Ankara’s demands, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated in an interview with CNN Türk.

Ankara demanded that the leaders of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (YPG) leave Syria. The remaining members of the organisation must disarm and cooperate with the newly established authorities.

«This is a bloodless and peaceful transition. On the other hand, Syrian Kurds who are not members of the YPG should integrate and lead normal lives without any harm to their lives or property,» Fidan emphasised.

The foreign minister also assured that...

In 2024, the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine (NMMC) produced goods valued at UZS 93.9 trln, marking a 39% y/y increase. This announcement comes from the company’s press service.

Over the past year NMMC boosted its contributions to the state budget through taxes, fees, and dividends by 54%, reaching UZS 57.5 trln. The company also attracted $790 mn in investments, a 67% increase compared to 2023.

Cost optimisation measures allowed NMMC to reduce production costs by UZS 3.7 trln. Additionally, the company increased production under its localisation programme by 45%, reaching UZS 916 bn.

NMMC’s performance in...

A team of scientists from Uzbekistan and Russia developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of detecting street violence through CCTV footage. The announcement was made by TASS citing South Ural State University (SUSU).

The AI system can identify over 98% of street violence incidents by leveraging multi-valued logic. SUSU’s press service noted that AI systems without this technology were previously unable to process large volumes of data efficiently.

The researchers expect this AI system to be integrated into Smart City infrastructures.

Founded in 1943 SUSU comprises 15 academic schools, institutes, and branches across Russia. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for...

Cryptobanks may soon be established in Kyrgyzstan, according to the Tazabek publication.

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce initiated a bill for their creation, which was sent to the parliament for consideration late last year.

These cryptobanks will provide services related to virtual assets under a licensing system. They will be able to attract deposits in cryptocurrency and engage in digital asset transactions through contracts. Additionally, customers will have the opportunity to open crypto accounts and access various other services.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the National Agency for Perspective Projects has permitted Heemera to enter the cryptocurrency...

In Tashkent, passengers who pay for bus fare in cash will face fines, according to Allayor Norbotaev, the deputy head of the capital’s transport department.

The fine will be set at 1/10 of the basic calculation value of 37,500 soums. If a passenger is caught violating this rule for the first time, they will receive a warning.

It is important to note that cashless payments for public transport were introduced in January 2025 by the decision of the Tashkent Mayor. To pay for a journey, passengers must use a bank or a transport card or purchase disposable tickets with...

Uzbekistan imported 68,600 passenger cars and electric vehicles, totalling $1.1 bn, from January to November 2024, according to the Uzbek Statistics Agency.

The majority of these vehicles were purchased from China (55,700 units), followed by South Korea (11,200 units) and the United States (633 units). Additionally, 577 cars were imported from India and 152 from Japan.

As of early December of the previous year, Uzbekistan had produced 382,300 passenger cars, reflecting an annual growth of 1.6%.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the Cobalt Midnight will be launched soon.

Photo: Depositphotos

According to the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Uzbek boxer Shahram Giyasov has apologised for his involvement in a bout with a bear at the Buka Gym sports club. He has been fined three basic calculation units, amounting to 1.1 mln sums.

Giyasov was also summoned to the ministry, where he received a warning about the unacceptable treatment of animals and the regulations governing their captivity.

A scandalous video of the fight with the bear surfaced online at the end of December, leading to widespread anger among many Uzbeks. The Uzbek Environment Ministry...

According to a draft law approved by the Oliy Majlis, the state will support Uzbek agricultural producers in suring against animal and plant diseases and natural disasters.

This document lays out the rules for insuring agricultural risks and establishes the creation of an Agricultural Insurance Fund in the republic.

The state will offer subsidies to farmers to help them pay insurance premiums and receive compensation for losses.

The deputies have also backed the complete digitalisation of the insurance process and the state’s industry regulation. This bill aims to create a unified insurance system for agricultural products and foster favourable...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan purchased nine tonnes of gold by the end of November 2024, according to statistics from the World Gold Council (WGC).

Over the first 11 months of the year, the Central Bank bought a total of 11 tonnes of gold, increasing the nation’s gold reserves to 382 tonnes.

Based on WGC’s November data, the largest gold buyer globally was the Polish Central Bank, which acquired 21 tonnes. Uzbekistan ranked second, followed by the Reserve Bank of India, which purchased eight tonnes.

In total, global central banks bought 53 tonnes of gold in November, as reported...

Uzbekistan has moved up two places in the Global Passport Power Ranking 2025, taking 68th place.

This year, Uzbeks can visit 32 countries without a visa. Entry permits will be required in 120 countries.

Citizens of Kazakhstan (52nd place) have the ‘strongest’ passport in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is in 68th position, and Tajikistan is in 72nd place.

The top five ‘strongest’ passports in the world include the UAE, Spain, Finland, France, Germany and Spain.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbeks are able to obtain a German visa online.

In 2024, taxes contributed 199.6 trillion soums to Uzbekistan’s state budget, according to Dildora Khoshimova, spokeswoman for the republic’s Tax Committee.

This amount represents a 20% increase compared to 2023. Tax collection saw significant growth in several regions: Tashkent experienced a 27% rise, Syrdarya increased by 25% and Tashkent Region grew by 23%.

Khoshimova noted that revenues from property and land taxes paid by individuals rose by 31.4%.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the Finance Ministry anticipates the state budget will garner 308.5 trillion soums in 2025.

Photo: KazTransOil

In 2024, the volume of oil transiting through Kazakhstan to China and Uzbekistan reached 10.2 mln tonnes. This represents an increase of 70,000 tonnes compared to 2023, according to a report from the press service of KazTransOil.

Over the past year, the total volume of hydrocarbon deliveries through KazTransOil’s main oil pipelines increased by 2%, totalling 44.8 mln tonnes.

Kazakh oil exports in 2024 amounted to 17.2 mln tonnes, a 4% increase from 2023.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports the discovery of a hidden tunnel designed for ferrying oil along the Uzbek-Kazakh border.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis has approved the draft law on a complete ban on electronic cigarettes, the Parliament’s press service reported.

It is planned to ban the sale and production of e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquids in the country.

Vapes contain various carcinogenic and toxic chemical compounds and heavy metals, the Oliy Majlis said.

Nicotine addiction can lead to brain pathologies and lower intelligence among young people.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports about the leader-smoking region of Uzbekistan.

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has announced a limit on the number of bank cards that can be issued to an individual. According to an anonymous source speaking to Kursiv Uzbekistan, a person can have a maximum of five cards from one bank, with a total limit of 20 cards across all banks.

This initiative will remain in effect until the end of this year.

In late November of last year, the regulator hinted at the potential introduction of this limit, stating that such measures are intended to combat fraud. However, the proposed changes are not expected to apply...

On January 1, the fee for Kazakhstani trucks entering Uzbekistan increased to $300 per vehicle. This decision sparked outrage from Kazakh parliamentarian Bolatbek Aliyev.

He pointed out an «obvious imbalance» in the transit relations between the two countries. «Uzbek carriers can use 2,100 kilometers of Kazakhstani roads, while Kazakhstani carriers have access to only 600 kilometers of Uzbek highways. Surprisingly, both sides view this as parity,» he stated on his Facebook page.

According to Aliyev, Uzbekistan’s transit traffic through Kazakhstan is significantly higher than the reverse situation. «For us, Uzbekistan is essentially a dead-end country for road carriers in...

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has adopted a decree aimed at the development of e-commerce. According to this document, only legal entities that are registered in the country can operate as electronic trading platforms, order aggregators, or streaming services.

Companies and entrepreneurs who merely provide information about goods, services, or digital products through their platforms will not be classified as e-commerce operators.

Beginning July 1, 2025, these operators must register as legal entities and comply with laws regarding e-commerce, personal data protection, consumer rights, and advertising. They will also be required to provide data about their activities upon...

Uzbekistan ranks second in Central Asia for foreign direct investment (FDI) in greenfield enterprises, according to a report by the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), as noted by press-office.

This year, the country attracted $4 bn in FDI for new projects, a decrease of 49% compared to the previous year.

Kazakhstan leads the region with an 88% increase in FDI, reaching $15.7 bn. This amount represents 63% of such investments in North and Central Asia.

Kazakhstan’s growth is largely attributed to the investment activity of Qatari company UCC Holding, which plans to invest...

South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) has formally requested the police to arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol, the Yonhap news agency reports. Previous attempts to detain him were unsuccessful due to clashes with the military.

The police are currently conducting an internal legal review of the request. The CIO sought police assistance one day before the arrest warrant for the president was due to expire.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the CIO had earlier abandoned efforts to detain the president due to resistance from the military and supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol.

In December, the president declared martial law. Although...