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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...

The UN gender equality agency UN Women has sounded the alarm over deepening funding cuts that are crippling global efforts to combat violence against women and girls.

In a new report titled «At Risk and Underfunded,» the agency revealed that one in three women’s anti-violence programmes has been shut down or suspended due to aid shortfalls. More than 40% of surveyed organisations have scaled back shelters, legal aid, and health services, leaving millions of survivors without essential support.

«Women’s rights organisations are the backbone of progress on violence against women, yet they are being pushed...

Donations for victims of the devastating floods in Hualien County have reached nearly NT$1.4 billion (US$45.6 Mln), the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced.

The ministry’s Taiwan Foundation for Disaster Relief collected NT$1.39 Bn from more than 310K contributions before the donation deadline on Friday. The funds were raised to assist residents affected by the Mataian River overflow in Guangfu Township after Typhoon Ragasa triggered heavy rains on Sept. 23.

The disaster claimed 19 lives, left five missing and injured 157, with over 1,600 households impacted by mudslides and flooding.

Of the total donations, NT$829 Mln has already been...

Chinese automaker Zeekr has revealed an upgraded version of its mid-size electric SUV, the Zeekr 7X, introducing cutting-edge 900-volt architecture and ultra-fast charging technology that can recharge the battery from 10% to 80% in about ten minutes.

The flagship 7X variant comes equipped with a 103kWh battery and a 900V power system delivering up to 585kW, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.98 seconds.

According to reports, with access to new-generation charging infrastructure exceeding 600kW, the updated 7X can reach 80% charge in around ten minutes. The standard versions retain the 800V platform...

At the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic arrived in Uzbekistan on October 28 for an official visit, accompanied by his wife.

He was welcomed at Tashkent International Airport by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and other officials.

High-level talks in Tashkent will focus on expanding Uzbekistan–Serbia cooperation across key sectors including engineering, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, IT, digitalisation and tourism. Discussions will also cover labour migration, cultural and educational partnerships, and pressing international issues.

The visit is expected to conclude with the signing of several bilateral agreements. President Vucic will also attend the 43rd session of...

Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered another masterclass performance in Game 2 of the World Series, throwing his second straight complete game to help the Los Angeles Dodgers even the series.

The 26-year-old ace allowed just one run over nine innings, striking out eight on 105 pitches. Despite a shaky start, 23 pitches in the first inning and 46 by the third, Yamamoto settled in and retired the final 20 batters he faced.

«To be honest, I didn’t think I could complete the game because my pitch count was getting high early,» Yamamoto admitted. «But I’m very happy...

The Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Sahyadri has made a port call at Japan’s Sasebo base, marking a key phase in the bilateral maritime cooperation between Japan and India. The arrival comes as part of the ongoing Japan‑India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX) 2025, which includes sea and harbour phases involving complex drills.

During the harbour visit, Indian and Japanese naval crews engaged in cross-deck visits, professional exchanges and joint operational planning. According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the exercise included advanced anti-submarine warfare, missile-defence scenarios and replenishment at sea, reinforcing interoperability between the two navies.

Commander Captain Rajat Kumar, commanding...

US Vice President JD Vance will visit Kenya from November 24–27, the first trip to East Africa by a senior official in the Trump administration, following the G20 Summit in Johannesburg (Nov. 22–23). Vance is expected to meet President William Ruto and top officials for talks on trade, security and regional stability as Washington seeks to reassure Nairobi after recent remarks by President Trump questioning US military engagement in Kenya and Somalia.

The agenda will likely include the lapse of AGOA on September 30 and prospects for a new trade framework, Kenya’s leadership of the Haiti security mission, and...

Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, admitted to the charges during the opening of his trial in central Japan on Tuesday, according to public broadcaster NHK.

«Everything was done by me, and there is no mistake,» the 45-year-old told the court. Yamagami faces charges of murder and violating Japan’s firearms and swords law. A verdict is expected on January 21, 2026.

Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, led the country from 2006–2007 and again from 2012–2020, known for his «Abenomics» policies and efforts to expand Japan’s...

Argentina captain Lionel Messi says he hopes to represent his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but will make a final decision based on how his body feels ahead of the tournament.

Speaking to NBC News, the 38-year-old Inter Miami star said he dreams of defending Argentina’s title next year in the competition co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

«It’s something extraordinary to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,» Messi said. «But I’ll see how I feel during preseason next year and decide whether I can really be...