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The World Economic Forum (WEF) has concluded in Davos, Switzerland, with participation from prominent politicians and business leaders. Reuters has gathered the most discussed topics of the event.

At the forum, supporters and opponents of Israel came to the conclusion that the new US President Donald Trump could encourage Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the decision regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Iran declared that its nuclear programme is not aimed at developing atomic weapons. Tehran also stated that it has no intention of threatening its regional neighbours.

At the WEF, heads of state and...

The governments of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend the ceasefire between the two countries, as reported by the White House.

“The ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, monitored by the United States, will remain in effect until February 18, 2025,” the statement said.

The statement also noted that the authorities of the three countries plan to begin negotiations regarding the release of Lebanese prisoners.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israel is required to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. The Hezbollah group is committed to redeploying its forces beyond the Litani River.

Tashkent ranked sixth in the global list of cities with the most polluted air, based on IQAir data as of the morning of January 27.

The concentration of PM2.5 particles in Tashkent’s air exceeded the acceptable standard by 23 times.

The cities topping the list for worst air quality were Lahore, Dhaka, and Delhi. In contrast, the cleanest air was recorded in Bern, Berlin, and Minneapolis.

PM2.5 refers to harmful substances composed of dust particles, asphalt, and heavy metal compounds, posing significant health risks.

Colombian authorities have agreed to accept deported illegal immigrants from the United States, reports Deutsche Welle.

Bogotá has expressed its willingness to receive Colombian nationals deported by both civilian and military aircraft. Washington emphasised that President Donald Trump remains committed to safeguarding U.S. sovereignty.

Earlier, the U.S. President announced the imposition of tariffs on Colombian goods. Trump also ordered enhanced screening for Colombian citizens entering the United States and banned entry for Colombian officials. These measures followed Bogotá’s prior refusal to accept deported illegal immigrants.

«These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian government...

As of early 2025, the number of registered construction companies in Uzbekistan exceeded 54,200, according to a report from the State Statistics Agency. The figure grew by 2% compared to the previous year.

In 2023, the number of such companies stood at 49,100, while in 2022 and 2021, it was 45,700 and 43,100, respectively.

By the end of 2024, Uzbekistan’s construction market was valued at UZS 233.8 trln, reflecting an annual growth of 8.8%. Significant contributions came from Tashkent (UZS 57.6 trln), the Tashkent region (UZS 24.1 trln), and the Bukhara region (UZS 16.5 trl).

The majority of construction projects...

Saida Mirziyoyeva, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan, highlighted the country’s recent progress in joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

«In 2024, Uzbekistan made a significant step towards WTO membership,» she stated on her Telegram channel.

Last year, two key WTO working group meetings were held, enabling the preparation of a draft accession document. Negotiations on this matter were concluded with 15 countries, bringing the total number of signed agreements to 23, Mirziyoyeva added.

Additionally, 20 new laws were adopted in Uzbekistan, aimed at improving business conditions and increasing competition transparency.

«This year, we will maintain the same pace...

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated Alexander Lukashenko on his victory in the Belarusian presidential election.

Mirziyoyev highlighted that the high voter turnout and the election results demonstrated the Belarusian people’s trust in their incumbent president.

The two leaders also discussed further development of the partnership between Uzbekistan and Belarus.

Previously, Kursiv Uzbekistan reports that preliminary calculations showed Lukashenko secured 86.82% of the votes in the Belarusian presidential election.

South Korea’s prosecutor’s office has officially charged President Yoon Suk Yeol with organising a rebellion following his declaration of martial law in December 2024, BBC reports.

The report cites a statement from South Korea’s Democratic Party.

“The prosecutor’s office has decided to press charges against Yoon Suk-yeol, accusing him of being the leader of the rebellion,” the party’s statement said.

President Yoon is currently being held in solitary confinement and faces the possibility of imprisonment.

As previously reported by Kursiv Uzbekistan, Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested only in mid-January. In December 2024, he declared martial law, a decision...

Air Samarkand transported 152,600 passengers and 2,600 tonnes of cargo in 2024, according to the airline’s press service, as reported by Kursiv Uzbekistan.

Over the past year, the company operated 1,200 flights. Its fleet was expanded with the addition of an Airbus A321neo. The workforce of Air Samarkand increased from 180 to 270 employees.

The airline launched flights to Jeddah, Medina, Sharm El-Sheikh, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and Phu Quoc. It also introduced regular flights to Istanbul and charter services to Dubai, Delhi, Dhaka, Islamabad, Batumi, and Tbilisi.

According to the airline, Uzbek passengers most frequently travelled to Jeddah, Vietnam...

Agricultural enterprises in Uzbekistan produced over 8.8 mn tonnes of grain in 2024, reflecting a 4.8% annual growth, the Statistics Agency reports.

Out of the total production:

The Fergana region led grain production with 998,500 tonnes, followed by the Samarkand region with 903,300 tonnes, and Kashkadarya with 893,500 tonnes.

The lowest production volumes were recorded in the Syrdarya region (578,400 tonnes), Karakalpakstan (345,500 tonnes), and the Navoi region (266,200 tonnes).

The Galaxy S25 Edge, unveiled at the Unpacked 2025 event, is expected to hit the market soon, Mobile Review reports.

The device has received certification from the Chinese regulator 3C and will support 25W fast charging. It will also feature a 6.7-inch display.

The smartphone will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the same chip used in the updated Galaxy S25 series.

Mobile Review highlighted that the Galaxy S25 Edge will not include a charger in its box.

The device is expected to have a slim profile, measuring just 6.4mm in thickness. Its main camera will include two lenses, one...

The social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is teetering on the edge of financial instability, with significant challenges in managing its debt obligations, The Verge reports, citing a letter from Elon Musk to employees.

In the letter, Musk described the company’s financial situation as critical, pointing to a steep decline in advertising revenue and sluggish growth in user numbers. He further revealed that major US banks are preparing to sell off $3 bn of X’s $13 bn debt to investors at a discounted rate.

Bank of America, Barclays, and Morgan Stanley reportedly plan to offer the debt at a 5-10% discount...

Manchester City head coach Josep Guardiola has commented on how he plans to communicate with Uzbek footballer Abdukodir Khusanov, sports journalist Fabrizio Romano reported.

“I’ll have to learn Russian or Uzbek to communicate with him. He doesn’t speak English,” Guardiola said.

On Saturday, January 25, Khusanov made his debut for Manchester City in a match against London’s Chelsea. He spent 54 minutes on the pitch and received a yellow card during the game.

Manchester City acquired Khusanov from French club RC Lens for €40 mn. The Uzbek footballer’s contract with the English team runs until 2029.

This season...

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has awarded the title of Honoured Artist of the Republic to opera singer Otabek Nazirov, the presidential press service reports.

The President commended Nazirov’s exceptional talent and artistry as a tenor with the State Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan. The honour recognises his contributions to the development of national opera, the promotion of classical music, and the strengthening of international cultural ties.

Otabek Nazirov, a graduate of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, has won several prestigious international competitions in recent years, including the Open Asia festival and the Turkish-Russian music competition Ca Maestoso.

Born in...

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov held an informal meeting at the Amirsoy resort, the Uzbek President’s press service reported.

During the meeting, Mirziyoyev and Japarov agreed to advance Uzbek-Kyrgyz joint projects aimed at developing resort centres, taking into account the landscape and natural diversity of both nations.

The leaders also discussed issues related to bilateral and regional cooperation, as well as international affairs.

It is worth noting that the «Amirsoy» ski resort, located in the Tashkent region, was inaugurated in 2019. Investments in the project amounted to €80 million, and the total area of the...

By the end of 2024, Uzbekistan’s permanent population reached 37.5 mn, marking a 2% increase compared to 2023, according to a report by the Statistics Agency.

As of early 2025, the country had 18.9 mn men and 18.6 mn women. Urban residents accounted for 51% of the population, while rural residents made up 49%.

The population density was recorded at 83.6 people per square kilometre. The highest density was observed in Tashkent, with over 6,900 people per square kilometre, followed by the Andijan region with 804.9, and the Fergana region with 613.1.

Birth rates in Uzbekistan declined by...

A small hydropower plant (HPP) named Zarchob-2A has commenced operations at the Tupalang reservoir cascade in the Surkhandarya region, according to a report from the regional khokimiyat.

With a design capacity of 3 MW, this power plant is expected to generate 13.3 mln kWh of clean energy annually, sufficient to supply power to 6,000 households in the area. The operation of this small HPP will also save approximately four million cubic meters of natural gas each year.

The construction of the power plant cost $3.4 mln. Another small HPP, Zarchob-1A, was launched in August 2024, and work is...

The U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan has announced the opening of enrollment for free self-defence courses aimed at girls and women in Urgench, according to the diplomatic mission’s press service.

These courses will teach participants effective self-defence techniques, stress management, and conflict resolution skills. The organisers promise that joining the program will help girls and women enhance their physical fitness and self-confidence.

Classes will begin in February and run for three months. They will take place at the city judo and sambo center on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The first age group will include participants aged 13 to 17, while...

Uzbekistan is set to open new engineering schools, according to the press service of the Uzbek Ministry of Justice, which cited a decree from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

These educational institutions will be established at the Polytechnic Technical College No. 1 in Jizzak Oblast and the Akhangaran City Polytechnic Technical College in the capital region.

Enterprises engaged in high-tech production will benefit from a three-year exemption from profit tax and property tax.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that a Cyber University will also be established in Uzbekistan.

The government has outlined the responsibilities of the Scientific and Technical Center for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, according to a report from the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan referencing a decree from the Cabinet of Ministers.

This new institution will be responsible for developing documents and recommendations related to radiation safety, as well as participating in the preparation of relevant state programs and international projects.

The center will issue licenses for handling radioactive materials. Its employees will also be tasked with creating and maintaining databases on nuclear safety.

The center will operate under the Committee for Industrial, Radiation, and...

The Senate of Uzbekistan has approved a new law that permits the establishment of microfinance banks, as reported by the press service of the Senate of Oliy Majlis.

This law will create a legal framework for microfinance banks, allowing them to provide banking services and accept deposits. It also includes provisions for the transformation of microfinance organizations into microfinance banks and subsequently into commercial banks.

Furthermore, the law sets the minimum authorized capital required for microfinance banks, outlines operational requirements, and prohibits the use of similar names for different credit institutions.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports on how changes...

Since the launch of trading at the Uzbek Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange (UZRTSB), 51 domain names have been purchased for 34.1 mln soums, according to a report from the exchange’s press service.

The trading platform for buying internet domains began operating on December 14, 2024. It offers domain names consisting of two, three, and four characters, as well as premium category domains. The buyer and final price of each domain are determined during the auction.

According to UZRTSB’s calculations, the average auction price of domains has increased by 79.4% compared to the starting prices.

Currently, the exchange...

The press service of the Upper House of the Parliament reported that the Senate of the Oliy Majlis had adopted a law protecting bank deposits.

The Deposit Guarantee Agency is tasked with processing payments, which can amount to 200 mln soums per individual.

The new law also outlines a gradual reduction in the payment period when a bank closes. This year, the period will be 20 working days, decreasing to seven days by 2027.

Senators believe this law will help safeguard the deposits of both Uzbeks and entrepreneurs while strengthening the country’s banking system.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports

New methods and approaches to education were discussed during a meeting between Saida Mirziyoyeva, the presidential aide of Uzbekistan, and representatives from UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, OECD, and the World Bank, as reported on Mirziyoyeva’s Telegram channel.

“Today, we had an important meeting with our international partners. Together, we can create conditions to make quality education accessible to everyone,” the presidential aide stated.

She also expressed pride in Uzbekistan’s achievements in the field of education.

The meeting took place on the eve of International Education Day.

Kursiv Uzbekistan further reported that, in June 2024, Mirziyoyeva emphasized that improving the...