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Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, is facing a new lawsuit accusing the company and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, of facilitating more than $1 bn in transactions for Hamas, Hezbollah and other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.

According to The Financial Times, the suit was filed by hundreds of victims of Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel. Reuters reported that 306 American plaintiffs, including families of those killed, injured, or taken hostage, are leading the case, which also cites subsequent attacks by other militant groups.

The complaint alleges that Binance «knowingly allowed» the transfer of more than...

FIFA has unveiled the seedings for the 2026 World Cup draw, which will be held on December 5 at the John F Kennedy Arts Centre in Washington. Uzbekistan has been placed in Pot Three, while tournament debutants Jordan, Cabo Verde and Curacao have been assigned to Pot Four.

As hosts, the United States, Canada and Mexico will head three of the twelve groups. The remaining 39 qualified teams have been split into pots according to their FIFA ranking. Six winners from the European and intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March have been placed in the final pot, adding...

The third EU-Central Asia Economic Forum opened today in the Uzbek capital, bringing together government officials, business leaders and international organisations to advance trade, investment and connectivity under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.

Broad and Expanding Cooperation

Toivo Klaar, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, highlighted the growing scope of relations between the two regions.

«We have signed documents in very many different sectors, ranging from combating drugs to border management and environmental issues on the Aral Sea,» Klaar told reporters. «This shows the breadth of the relationship.»

The Tashkent gathering is part of a three-day...

Renewable energy sources have generated 23% of Uzbekistan’s electricity since the start of the year, according to the Ministry of Energy. The government plans to lift this share to 54% by 2030 as new projects come online.

The country currently operates 13 solar plants and five wind farms with a combined capacity of 4,700 MW. Their output has exceeded 9.7 bn kWh, which helped save 2.8 bn cubic metres of natural gas and prevented 4.2 mln tonnes of harmful emissions.

Solar panels with a capacity of 1,900 MW and solar collectors holding 4.85 mln litres are being installed at...

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance expects next year’s budget revenue to reach $43.2 bn. The deficit is set at 3% of GDP, in line with fiscal rules.

Value added tax will provide the largest share of income at roughly 40%. Direct taxes are forecast at 22%, while property and resource payments will make up 18%. Excise duties should account for 10% and customs revenue for 8%.

Looking ahead, budget income is projected at $49–49.4 bn in 2027 and up to $54.9 bn in 2028. Officials stressed that growth in revenue collection will stay moderate to avoid pressure on...

The government of Uzbekistan plans to introduce new excise taxes from April 1, 2026, starting with potato chips, which will be taxed at 15,000 soums ($1.26) per kilogram, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Alcohol taxes will also rise. Strong spirits such as vodka and brandy will carry a duty of 48,000 soums ($4) per litre, natural wine 10,000 soums ($0.84), other wines 12,000 soums ($1), and beer 4,000 soums ($0.34) per litre.

Excises on tobacco products including cigars, hookah and heated tobacco, and vapes will increase by 7% from February 2026, with cigarette duties rising by...

The city of Tashkent has launched an extensive programme to combat air pollution, following a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Caring for greenery: Trees and shrubs along major roads will be washed at least three times a week during the morning hours in summer and autumn. Night-time watering of trees with potable water will also be permitted in the spring and summer.

Duty-free equipment: Air and water purification systems, automated monitoring stations and household filters brought in by citizens or businesses are now exempt from customs duties.

New water features: At least three artificial lakes will be...

Uzbekistan’s My Freighter has launched its first cargo flight from Wenzhou’s Lucheng International Airport in Zhejiang province, eastern China, to Tashkent. The launch coincided with the upcoming consumer seasons, including Black Friday and Christmas.

The B767 aircraft transported 50 tonnes of goods as part of cross-border e-commerce operations. The sideas are aiming to strengthen logistics networks for e-commerce businesses in the economically developed Zhejiang region and neighbouring areas.

With the new Wenzhou-Tashkent route, Wenzhou airport now operates 11 international cargo flights, covering regions in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Central Asia. Analysts say these routes provide an alternative transit...

Uzbek citizens spent a total of 290.7 bn soums ($24.4 mln) on veterinary services in the first ten months of 2025, marking a 19% increase compared with the previous year, according to the National Statistics Committee.

Tashkent residents accounted for the majority of spending, shelling out 161.8 bn soums ($13.6 mln), more than half of the national total.

Among the regions, Surkhandarya led in veterinary expenditures with 61.2 bn soums ($5.1 mln), while Syrdarya recorded the lowest spending at just 0.9 bn soums ($75,000).

The figures highlight a growing trend in pet care across Uzbekistan, with urban centres driving...

The European Union has underlined the growing strength of its economic ties with Central Asia, with EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela telling the 3rd EU Central Asia Economic Forum in Tashkent on November 26 that the «business case for partnership» between the regions has never been stronger.

Opening the event, Mr Sikela praised Uzbekistan’s hospitality and said the forum reflected the momentum created by the first EU Central Asia Summit in April.

«We promised to enhance further our cooperation. Today, with this forum, we are putting our shared vision in practice,» he said.

Uzbekistan plans to expand its GDP to $200 bn by 2030, according to the budget message from the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Stronger economic growth is expected to push annual income per person to $5,000.

Officials say reaching this level will help cut poverty and improve living standards across the country. The ministry has also upgraded its economic outlook through to 2028 despite global risks. GDP is expected to grow by 7% this year, remain at 7% in both 2026 and 2027, and reach 6.9% in 2028.

The ministry also outlined changes to budget planning. From next year...

A Malaysian billionaire was ambushed and robbed of his luxury Richard Mille watch in southwest London, in the latest high-profile incident amid a surge in violent street thefts targeting expensive timepieces.

Vinod Sekhar, 57, said he was attacked on 27 September outside his daughter’s home in Battersea by two men on Lime e-bikes who «smothered» him, struck him repeatedly and ripped the watch from his wrist. Sekhar, who is on post-transplant medication, said he was unable to fight back — but praised his wife, Winy Yeap, for charging at the robbers «like a lioness,» forcing them to flee.

FIFA has announced a major new partnership with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), securing up to $1bn (£762mln) in financing to support the construction and renovation of football facilities worldwide.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed on Monday, the SFD will offer discounted loans for stadiums and multi-sport venues, with developing nations receiving priority access. Fifa said the initiative aims to help national governments design, finance and build modern infrastructure capable of hosting international competitions.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the funding would provide crucial support for member associations struggling to meet infrastructure requirements. «This...

Taiwan’s Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai has reiterated that the island is a «fully sovereign and independent country,» firmly rejecting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s assertion that Taiwan’s «return» to China is part of the post-war international order.

Cho’s comments came after Xi raised the issue during a phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, their first direct conversation since a trade truce earlier this year. The exchange took place against a backdrop of rising tensions in East Asia, including a diplomatic clash between China and Japan over Tokyo’s warning that it could respond militarily to any Chinese attack...

China on Monday sharply criticised Japan’s plan to deploy medium-range missiles on Yonaguni Island, located just 110 km from Taiwan, accusing Tokyo of deliberately provoking military confrontation.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said «right-wing forces in Japan» were pushing the region toward «disaster,» warning that Beijing remained «determined and capable» of defending its territorial sovereignty. Her comments come amid the worst diplomatic rift between the two nations in years, following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent suggestion that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said over the...

On November 28, following Friday prayers, all mosques in Uzbekistan will hold the Istisqa — a collective prayer asking Allah to send rain, according to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims.

The initiative comes amid a prolonged autumn drought and the absence of forecasted rainfall. Officials noted that the prayer for rain has deep roots in Islamic tradition.

At the same time, animals will be sacrificed in central mosques across regions and districts, as well as at sacred sites. The meat will be distributed to needy families, orphans, widows, low-income households and elderly individuals living alone.

Uzbeks currently in Mecca...

Afghanistan has decided to reroute its coal exports to Uzbekistan, ending shipments to Pakistan, Afintl reports. A representative of the Balkh governor confirmed that Tashkent and Kabul have reached a trade agreement.

The change in export routes comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including armed clashes along the border earlier this year. The Taliban has also announced plans to transport agricultural products through Uzbekistan by air to European markets.

Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan is exploring a new freight rail corridor to Pakistan through Afghanistan.

Tashkent is set to develop a 33-kilometre «green corridor” by 2026, according to a decree from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

By early April next year, city authorities will finalise the master plan for the “Green Tashkent» project. Plans include 700 modern public spaces and expanded cycling infrastructure. The Ministry of Construction will also clean existing decorative fountains within two weeks and double their number, while conducting a full analysis of pollution sources. Residents will be encouraged to participate in eco-monitoring through the Air Monitoring Uzbekistan platform.

Additional measures include the installation of 347 automated monitoring stations, with 23 stations specifically for...

Uzbekistan’s application to join the ASEAN Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation has been approved, according to Dunyo. The initiative was proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and follows nearly a year of preparatory work and negotiations. The decision was made during a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur under Malaysia’s chairmanship.

The Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia was originally signed on February 24, 1976 in Bali, Indonesia, and is recognised as a key framework setting out the principles of regional cooperation within ASEAN.

The ASEAN region currently consists of 11 countries with a combined population...

Liam Payne’s family is facing renewed heartache as his ex-fiancée Maya Henry works on a documentary about their relationship and break-up.

The project comes just over a year after the One Direction singer’s death. Maya is developing the film with HBO and an independent studio, drawing on her years with Liam from 2018 to 2022.

Filming will take place in Texas where contributors are being invited, with overseas participants flown in. Industry figures fear the documentary may feel one-sided as Liam is no longer able to share his account and his family are still dealing with profound loss.

Maya...

Uzbekistan hosted 9.7 mln foreign tourists in the first ten months of 2025, according to the National Statistics Agency. The total number of visitors grew by 50% compared with the same period last year.

Kyrgyzstan led the way with 2.8 mln travellers followed by Kazakhstan with 2.3 mln and Tajikistan with 2.2 mln visitors. Russia ranked fourth with 851.9K tourists. Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China, Turkey, India and Korea also featured in the top ten source countries.

Kursiv also reports that the share of tourism in Uzbekistan’s GDP is set to rise from 3.5% to 7% by 2030.

Tashkent plans to introduce a Trade-In programme for vehicles over 15 years old, according to a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The Ministry of Economy and Finance, together with Uzavtosanoat, will oversee the scheme.

The Trade-In programme will apply to passenger cars and trucks manufactured before 2010 that do not meet Euro-4 standards. Vehicle owners can exchange their old vehicles for new ones with a top-up payment.

Additionally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will carry out vehicle inspections across the country by the end of next year.

Among other initiatives, Tashkent aims to install AI-controlled smart traffic lights at...

Uzbekistan has expanded the list of equipment exempt from customs duties, focusing on air purifiers and monitoring devices, under a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The exemption now covers equipment and instruments for specialised environmental laboratories, automated small monitoring stations, and emission control systems. Observation posts, dust and gas purification units, local water treatment facilities, and household air purifiers can also be imported duty-free, whether by individuals or businesses.

The measure is expected to significantly lower the cost of household air purifiers, which previously faced a 20% customs duty with a minimum of $3 per unit.

Kursiv also...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree introducing urgent measures to improve the ecological situation in Tashkent. A special commission has been set up to oversee implementation.

Earlier, Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the presidential administration, recommended strengthening environmental controls. On November 24, a meeting was held to review the main factors affecting the capital’s air quality.

At the meeting, Mirziyoyeva proposed a series of initiatives aimed at preventing similar pollution incidents in the future. These measures include both short-term actions and long-term strategies.

According to IQAir, as of 12:10 (GMT+5) on the day of the report, air...