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Uzbekistan has drafted a law requiring bloggers with more than 10,000 followers to pay taxes. The proposal is now open for public discussion and aims to regulate interactions between users, bloggers, influencers and online platform owners.

The consultation period will remain open until May 27.

For the first time, the legislation introduces clear definitions:

The draft law requires bloggers and...

China will reduce tariffs on imports from the United States by 24 percentage points, bringing the rate down to 10%, according to TASS.

In addition, Beijing will revoke State Council Tariff Commission decrees No. 5 and No. 6, which had previously raised additional duties to 84% and 125%, respectively.

Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reached the agreement during recent talks.

The tariff cuts will take effect on May 14 and remain in place for 90 days, according to a joint statement from China and the United States.

China has also...

Iran and Uzbekistan have agreed to explore ways to raise their bilateral trade turnover to $2 bn. The announcement followed a meeting between Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Mohammad-Reza Aref in Tehran.

Both sides stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in transport and logistics, highlighting the sector’s strategic role in facilitating trade.

Aripov and Aref also emphasised the importance of expanding industrial collaboration and enhancing ties in science, education, technology, innovation and tourism.

According to Aref, Uzbekistan and the Islamic Republic can complement each other within the regional economy.

Aripov described Iran as a close friend and...

Kyrgyzstan has lifted its temporary ban on cement imports in a move to stabilise the construction materials market, the Cabinet of Ministers announced.

The government believes that lifting the restrictions will support the construction sector and slow down the rise in prices. It also expects that cement supplies from neighbouring countries will help maintain healthy competition and prevent shortages.

The ban on imports of cement and plasterboard came into effect on April 17. At the time, the government justified the restrictions as a measure to support local producers and address cases of dumping by foreign suppliers.

In...

On May 12, the United States and China will announce a trade agreement. Reuters sources report that the breakthrough on de-escalating the trade war came during a meeting between American and Chinese delegations in Geneva.

From the US side, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer took part in the talks. The Chinese delegation included Vice Premier He Lifeng and Deputy Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang.

Following the meeting, both sides confirmed significant progress but declined to reveal the terms of the deal until an official statement is released.

What is known so far is that the...

In 1Q25, the volume of education services in Uzbekistan reached UZS 8.1 trillion, according to data from the State Statistics Committee. This marks a 7.6% increase compared to the same period last year.

Education accounted for 3.8% of the total services market. Higher professional education remained the dominant segment, contributing 45.8% of all educational services provided in the quarter.

President Donald Trump has announced plans to reduce the cost of prescription and other pharmaceutical drugs in the United States by 30–80%. The statement was made via his social media platform, Truth Social.

Trump said he would sign what he described as one of the most important executive orders on May 13. He claimed the move would save the country trillions of dollars.

According to Trump, drug prices in the US are significantly higher than in other countries, with some medications costing five to ten times more.

«For years, pharmaceutical companies have claimed...

The State Statistics Committee has calculated that from January to March 2025, the volume of education services in Uzbekistan reached UZS 8.1 trillion.

Most of the spending went towards higher education. Universities accounted for 45.8% of the total volume.

Overall, the education sector made up 3.8% of all market-based services provided in the country.

In 1Q25, education-related expenditures rose by 7.6% compared to the same period in 2024.

By May 8, residents of Tashkent submitted 22,700 appeals to local authorities, according to data from the Xalq Nazorati (People’s Control) platform.

Housing and communal services accounted for 31.2% of all requests. Another 27.3% of submissions focused on the condition of roads and pavements. Issues related to public infrastructure made up 9%, while 3.8% of complaints addressed environmental concerns.

Uchtepa district ranked first for the highest number of resolved appeals. Almazar took second place, followed by Yangihayot in third.

Sergeli district ranked lowest in terms of responsiveness.

Ukraine has imposed sanctions on three Uzbek companies and one Uzbek citizen, following a decree signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The sanctions came into effect on May 9 and will remain in place for ten years. They target the joint venture Mercury Renaissance and its subsidiary, Fergana Chemical Plant.

Mercury Renaissance, registered in Tashkent, has operated since 2016 in the field of construction equipment leasing and rental. Its founders are Rustam Muminov and Shakhriyor Tadjiev.

Ukraine has also imposed individual sanctions on Muminov, stating in the presidential decree that appropriate measures will be applied against him.

The sanctions list includes...

Uzbekistan plans to open a trade centre in Tehran, according to Iran’s official news agency IRNA.

On May 11, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov arrived in the Islamic Republic on an official visit.

As part of his visit, Tehran will host the 16th session of the Iran–Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission.

According to figures from 1Q25, trade turnover between Iran and Uzbekistan exceeded $101 mln. Iran now ranks among Uzbekistan’s top 20 trading partners.

Uzbekistan and Russia have signed an agreement to implement a strategic partnership programme in the military sphere for 2026–2030. The plan was confirmed following a meeting between the defence ministers of both countries.

Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Defence, Major General Shukhrat Kholmukhamedov, discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

During the meeting, Belousov also acknowledged Uzbekistan’s significant contribution to victory in the Second World War.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated the people of Uzbekistan on Day of Memory and Honor, as well as the 80th anniversary of Victory.

The fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan now hangs in the balance. Explosions have been heard in Srinagar, the capital of India’s Jammu and Kashmir state, and air defence systems are active. The sounds are clearly audible in a video posted on X by the region’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

«This is not a ceasefire. Air defence units in central Srinagar have just opened fire,» the minister wrote.

Earlier today, US President Donald Trump announced a full ceasefire between India and Pakistan, which was also confirmed by officials from both countries.

Uzbekistan’s canoe and kayak team secures six medals at the Asian Championships, according to the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan.

The competition took place from May 8 to 10 in Nanchang, China. Uzbek athletes earned three silver and three bronze medals across various events.

The silver medals went to the duo of Muhammadali Mirismanov and Diyorbek Mamatquliyev in the pairs event, while Mirismanov also took second place in the individual category. Arina Tanatmishova secured the third silver for Uzbekistan.

Komiliddin Rakhmatullaev claimed two bronze medals — one in tandem with Zarina Rustamova and another with Azimjon Sotiboldiyev.

Aleksandr Zarubin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Ukraine to immediately resume direct negotiations in Istanbul. He made the statement during a press conference at the Kremlin, broadcast by TASS, in the early hours of May 11.

«We have repeatedly proposed steps towards a ceasefire. We have never rejected dialogue with the Ukrainian side. Let me remind you again: we were not the ones who broke off talks in 2022. That was the decision of the Ukrainian side,» Putin said.

«Therefore, despite everything, we are proposing that the...

The College of Cardinals has elected a new Pope. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, signalling the successful conclusion of the conclave.

Cardinal Robert Prevost from the United States has been elected as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church. The 267th pontiff has taken the name Leo XIV.

The election took place on the second day of the conclave, during the fourth round of voting. A total of 133 cardinals from around the world participated in the ballot.

Candidates for the papacy also included representatives from Italy, the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of...

Pavel Eygel, a Russian canoeist, has switched his sporting nationality from Russia to Uzbekistan, TASS reports.

«I want to emphasise that my decision to move to Uzbekistan has nothing to do with the current restrictions on Russian athletes competing in international events,» the athlete explained.

The switch to Uzbekistan’s national team came as a result of a new strategy adopted by Russia’s coaching staff. According to Eygel, Russian officials have prioritised rejuvenating the national squad, now allowing only athletes born in 1994 or later to represent the country. Eygel was born in 1990.

Despite delivering...

The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to reduce tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to between 50% and 54% during ongoing negotiations with Beijing, according to The New York Post.

Washington is expected to soften its tariff policy towards China starting next week. The US also plans to lower import duties for South Asian countries to 25%.

At the end of April, Trump admitted that the tariffs he previously imposed on Chinese goods were too high.

«There won’t be such a high level anymore. The tariffs will drop significantly, though not to...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev takes part in the celebrations in Moscow marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War.

The head of state attends the parade on Red Square, where Uzbekistan’s military personnel also participate.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other world leaders also attend the event.

At the end of the parade, President Mirziyoyev, together with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other foreign leaders, lays flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden.

On May 9, Uzbek military personnel marched in formation across Red Square in Moscow during the parade marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War. Colonel Zafarjon Khalikjayev, Deputy Commander of a unit within Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Defence, led the Uzbek delegation.

Military contingents from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, China, Egypt, Laos, Mongolia and Myanmar also participated in the parade.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev observed the Victory Parade from the tribunes.

After the ceremony, President Mirziyoyev joined other heads of state in laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has congratulated the people of Uzbekistan on the Day of Memory and Honour, which this year coincides with the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War. In his message, the president expressed deep respect for veterans of war and labour, acknowledging their historic role in securing peace and freedom for future generations.

«This bright and solemn day, which glorifies the defenders of our peaceful lives, is a time to honour the memory of our brave soldiers who gave their lives for the independence and well-being of our homeland...

Uzbekistan’s international reserves rose to over $49.2 bn at the beginning of May, according to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. The reserves grew by 2.9% in just one month.

Gold accounts for more than $37.6 bn of this total. However, the physical volume of gold held declined slightly, from 11.8 mln to 11.5 mln troy ounces.

The country’s foreign currency reserves also increased, rising by $616.9 mln over the month to surpass $11 bn.

According to the World Gold Council (WGC), in March this year the Central Bank of Uzbekistan became the largest gold seller, offloading 11 tonnes.

BMW, Volkswagen and other German companies have admitted responsibility for supporting the rise of the National Socialists in Germany during the 1930s, according to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Bosch, Adidas and Mercedes-Benz were also among those that acknowledged their involvement. In total, representatives from 49 German firms signed the joint statement.

“German companies contributed to strengthening the power of the National Socialists. Driven by self-interest, many businesses and their leaders at the time became involved,” the statement reads.

The companies also expressed a firm stance against hatred, discrimination and antisemitism.

Tensions remain high along the India-Pakistan border. On the night of May 8, Pakistani forces opened fire with small arms and artillery along the Line of Control, according to Indian news agency ANI.

In the morning, several explosions were reported in the Pakistani city of Lahore. Preliminary reports indicate that an Indian reconnaissance drone was shot down over the city. Residents heard blasts near the airport and in central districts. Witnesses also saw smoke rising above the Naval College building.

Despite these incidents, the overall intensity of hostilities has eased. Schools and universities in Pakistan have resumed classes...