News

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih announced that a decision on importing Uzbek agricultural produce will be finalised within 60 days, Uzbekistan 24 reports.

During his meeting with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Al-Falih said that once all technical procedures are completed, Uzbek fruits and other farm goods will be cleared for export to the Saudi market.

Saudi Arabia currently imports most of its agricultural products and fruit from other countries, making it a major and promising market for Uzbekistan.

«We need to accelerate cooperation, develop land, livestock and orchards, and jointly implement large projects to speed...

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun a five-year prison sentence at La Santé prison in Paris. He was convicted of criminal conspiracy over alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 election campaign. He denies wrongdoing.

In a rare decision last month, a Paris court ordered Sarkozy to start serving time immediately, before his appeal is heard, citing the seriousness of the offense. He may request release while the appeal is pending; judges have up to two months to decide.

Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, is expected to be held in solitary confinement or in a protected...

Daniel Naroditsky, a U.S. chess grandmaster and popular online teacher and commentator, died on Monday at age 29. The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where he coached, announced his death. The cause was not immediately disclosed.

Born in California to parents from Ukraine and Azerbaijan, Naroditsky won the Under-12 World Youth title in 2007 and became a grandmaster at 18. He studied history at Stanford and later moved to Charlotte to train top juniors.

«Daniel shared his passion and love for the game every day,» his family said in a statement released by...

Telegram founder Pavel Durov said he is ready to buy the jewels stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris and donate them to the Louvre Abu Dhabi. According to him, the museum in the UAE is better protected against theft and similar incidents.

The robbery took place on October 19. Thieves broke into the «Apollo Gallery,» where jewelry from the eras of the Empire, the Restoration, Napoleon III, and Empress Eugénie were displayed. In total, nine pieces of jewelry were stolen.

Durov said the incident did not surprise him.

«This is another sad sign...

The UK is accelerating efforts to deepen ties with the European Union, but officials in Brussels show little appetite for moving at the same pace, raising the risk of frustration in Westminster.

At a May 19 UK-EU summit in London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met European Council president Antonio Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, signing a long-term fisheries deal and pledging talks on agrifoods, energy and defence. Since then, ministers have sharpened their tone: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has linked weak growth to Brexit, while EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has pressed for «rapid progress...

A dedicated metro line will be constructed to connect Tashkent with the city’s new International Airport, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev revealed during the Menimcha programme on Uzbekistan 24 TV.

The route will stretch around 24 kilometres, running between Tashkent and New Tashkent, with travel time from the city to the terminal expected to take about 25 minutes.

According to government estimates, the airport project and the planned expansion of the national aircraft fleet from 105 to 180 planes could generate around $770 mln annually for the economy. To enhance transport accessibility, the project will also include shuttle services and integration with...

The cargo terminal of Tashkent International Airport has successfully passed inspection and regained its RA3 international status, enabling direct shipment of goods and mail to the United Kingdom and European Union.

Independent auditors carried out the assessment following UzCargo’s relocation to a modern terminal in spring 2025. The RA3 certification confirms full compliance with aviation security standards set by the EU and UK. The airport has received unique registration numbers now listed in the official European database, with the certification valid until August 2028.

The renewed status is expected to simplify and speed up deliveries, reduce logistics costs, and strengthen...

A new Riyadh-style complex will be constructed in New Tashkent with the participation of Saudi companies Al Majdiah and First Avenue, according to the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.

The initiative was discussed during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s meeting with the heads of leading Saudi firms on October 15. The gathering included representatives from ACWA Power, Vision Invest, Al Majdiah, Riyadh Cables, InterHealth, and Saudi Tabreed.

During the meeting, Abdulsalam Al Majid, Chairman of the Boards of Al Majdiah and First Avenue, highlighted the growing interest of Saudi entrepreneurs in investing in Uzbekistan.

«In recent years...

Russian-born tennis player Maria Timofeeva, 21, has officially changed her sporting nationality and will now represent Uzbekistan in Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournaments. The change is reflected in her updated WTA profile, where the flag next to her name now displays Uzbekistan.

The Uzbekistan Tennis Federation’s Deputy Chair, Iroda Tulyaganova, confirmed the move, stating:

«Yes, Maria Timofeeva has officially changed her citizenship and now represents Uzbekistan. Her parents have also been living in Tashkent for more than six months.»

Born in Moscow, Timofeeva competed for Russia until October 2025 and is regarded as one...

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says U.S. export restrictions have completely wiped out the company’s presence in China, reducing its market share there from 95% to zero.

Speaking in an interview with Citadel Securities, Huang said the U.S. government’s tough trade measures against China have «essentially closed» the Chinese market to Nvidia — once one of its most profitable regions.

«We went from 95% market share to 0%. I can’t imagine any policymaker thinking that’s a good idea,» Huang said.

He warned that Washington’s chip restrictions could hurt U.S. innovation more than China’s technological ambitions.

A major power outage has entered its fourth day across 11 provinces of Afghanistan, including Kabul, after electricity imports from Uzbekistan were cut off, the state-run Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) said on Monday.

The main transmission line carrying imported power from Uzbekistan was severed along the Amu River, where repairs have been slowed by difficult terrain and security concerns. DABS engineers have been working for three days but, by Monday evening, electricity had not yet been restored, despite earlier promises of resumption by noon.

Residents in Kabul and several northern provinces reported severe disruptions, relying on generators and solar...

Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to take part in the Distinguished Visitors Day of the joint military exercise «Unity-2025» (Birlik-2025).

The visit came at the invitation of Uzbekistan’s Defence Minister Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, according to a report by

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the current state and future development of cooperation between their countries in military, military-technical and military-educational fields. Both sides underlined the importance of joint drills as a platform for sharing experience and strengthening defence partnerships.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Huseyn Guliyev also attended the meeting. The participants praised...

According to the research firm Counterpoint Research, the latest Apple iPhone 17 lineup is off to a promising start. The standard iPhone 17 has nearly doubled sales in China compared to the iPhone 16 during the first ten days after its launch.

In both the United States and China combined, sales of the iPhone 17 series were about 14 % higher than the iPhone 16 series over the same early period.

Why this matters

The Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad has announced the death of Cheikh Touré, a young Senegalese footballer, in Kumasi, Ghana, on Friday, October 17, 2025.

According to a statement released on Saturday, preliminary investigations by consular services suggest that Touré may have been the victim of a fraud and extortion network. His body has been placed at the Ebenezer Morgue in Tafo, in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, about 250 killometers from Accra.

Ghanaian authorities have been officially notified and have launched an in-depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Two officials from the Senegalese Embassy...

Russia’s Energy Ministry has held talks with Kazakhstan and Belarus about possible supplies of gasoline and diesel fuel, according to reports from Russian Telegram channel “Polkovnik Chernov”.

Energy expert Olzhas Baydildinov confirmed that such discussions did take place. However, Kazakhstan refused, saying that its refineries are already working at full capacity and that the country has no surplus fuel to export.

Baydildinov noted that Kyrgyzstan could face a fuel shortage this week because of reduced deliveries from Russia. This could lead to higher prices and limits on fuel sales at gas stations — for example, 20 to 30 litters...

In Uzbekistan, conformity assessment bodies will now bear joint liability for any harm caused to human life or health due to safety violations. The measure is part of a new law aimed at strengthening consumer protection and accountability in product certification.

Under the legislation, if a person suffers harm as a result of breaches in conformity assessment procedures, responsibility will be shared between the assessment body and the manufacturer, service provider, or seller involved.

Companies that recall at least 70% of defective products will be exempt from financial penalties. This exemption also applies to manufacturers, their representatives, distributors, and importers.

At least two people were killed after a cargo aircraft skidded off the runway and crashed into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning.

The Emirates flight EK9788, arriving from Dubai, went off the north runway around 3.50am local time, police said. The Boeing 747 freighter failed to stop in time and partly landed in the water.

Police said the aircraft hit a ground service vehicle during landing, pushing it into the sea. Two ground staff were inside the vehicle. A 30-year-old worker died at the scene, and a 41-year-old was later declared dead at hospital.

Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) has announced that the restoration of the electricity line importing power from Uzbekistan is nearly complete, with supply expected to return to normal by midday today.

In a statement on its X account, DABS said its technical teams have been working continuously for three days to rebuild the damaged transmission line that caused blackouts across eleven provinces, including Kabul. The disruption occurred after one of the towers along the Amu Darya River route collapsed.

The company noted that the repair work was particularly complex as the line crosses the Amu Darya River, but...

Kant Cement Plant has announced the closure of its representative office in Uzbekistan following a decision made at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on 17 October.

According to the meeting minutes, the company’s CEO has been instructed to complete all necessary organisational and legal procedures for the closure. The company’s charter has also been amended to remove the clause allowing for the presence of a representative office in Uzbekistan.

The office had previously served as a hub for coordinating export deliveries and maintaining relations with Uzbek partners.

In addition to this decision, shareholders approved several amendments to the company’s...

Uzbekistan has become one of Asia’s top five exporters of expanded clay, exfoliated vermiculite, and foamed slag, according to a new report by IndexBox titled «Asia – Expanded Clays – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.» In 2024, the country accounted for about 4.5% of regional exports, or roughly 3,500–4,000 tonnes.

Fastest Growth in the Region

IndexBox data shows that Uzbekistan recorded the fastest export growth rate in Asia. Between 2013 and 2024, its average annual export volume rose by 135.5%, while export value increased by 125.4%. This surge reflects the rapid development of the country’s expanded...

Bolivia has elected centrist senator Rodrigo Paz as its new president, bringing an end to almost 20 years of dominance by the leftist Movement for Socialism (Mas) party. With nearly all votes counted, Paz, representing the Christian Democratic Party, won Sunday’s run-off with 54.6%, defeating right-wing candidate Jorge «Tuto» Quiroga, who secured 45.4%.

Widespread economic hardship and infighting within Mas fuelled a strong desire for change among voters. The party, which has shaped Bolivian politics since 2006, failed to make it into the final round.

Paz, 58, ran on a centrist platform, appealing to disillusioned voters seeking reform without...

The ASEAN 2025 International Arts and Crafts Fair has concluded in Kuala Lumpur, where Uzbekistan showcased its national stand among participants from 15 countries, Dunyo reports. The event ran from October 10 to 20 and featured a wide range of traditional artworks and handmade creations.

Uzbekistan’s display included ceramics, jewellery, and other handcrafted items, drawing strong interest from visitors. The works of Otashin Pottery and live pottery demonstrations proved especially popular.

One of the highlights was the participation of Rustam Muzafarov from Shakhrisabz, a renowned ceramic artist whose creations are exhibited in galleries across France, the United States, Russia...

Uzbekistan’s non has been recognised by CNN Travel as one of the 50 best breads in the world. The international travel portal praised the country’s round, beautifully decorated breads for their distinctive taste and aroma, achieved through traditional clay-oven baking.

«Uzbek non varies across regions, from Tashkent’s chewy versions to Samarkand loaves showered in black nigella seeds,» CNN Travel noted. The publication highlighted the unique artistry of Uzbek bakers, who adorn the breads with intricate patterns, spirals, and stamps before baking them in tandyr ovens.

According to the portal, the charm of Uzbek bread lies not only in its...

South Korea’s agricultural machinery company TYM announced on October 20 that it had shipped 36 compressed natural gas (CNG) tractors to Uzbekistan as part of its strategy to expand in Central Asia.

Uzbekistan, a nation rich in natural gas, continues to rely heavily on diesel fuel for farming. To reduce its dependence on imported energy and cut harmful emissions, the Uzbek government is promoting the adoption of CNG-powered agricultural machinery.

In line with this policy, TYM collaborated with local institutions to develop the «T6092» CNG tractor, valued at $1.5 mln (2.2 bn won). Verification and distribution will take place...