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Uzbekistan’s deputy prime minister Jamshid Khodjaev has said he expects South Korean businesses to take an active role in major development projects across the country, including the new international airport and key rail links, according to comments reported by Yonhap.

During his visit to South Korea, Khodjaev said he hoped to see cooperation broaden in areas such as supply chains, renewable energy, infrastructure and transport as well as information technology.

He noted that more than 680 joint Uzbekistan–Korea enterprises are currently operating in the republic. Khodjaev added that thanks to ongoing reforms the Uzbek economy has doubled in size...

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has arrived in Tashkent ahead of the FIA General Assembly and the annual FIA Awards, which the Uzbek capital is hosting this week.

He was welcomed by representatives of the Ministry of Sport, the National Olympic Committee and the national motorsport and karting federation. During his visit to the ministry he met participants of the Girls on Track initiative and expressed support for their work.

Officials also held a bilateral meeting to discuss preparations for the upcoming FIA events and ways to deepen cooperation between Uzbekistan and the federation.

The Ministry of Sport...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has pardoned 615 inmates ahead of Uzbekistan’s Constitution Day, marking the 33rd anniversary of the nation’s founding legal document, UzA reported.

The decree, issued under Article 109 of the Constitution, applies to prisoners who «sincerely repented and firmly embarked on the path of correction.» Of those pardoned, 220 individuals were fully released, 123 received parole, and 97 had their sentences reduced to lighter penalties. Prison terms for 175 others were shortened.

The pardoned group includes 9 foreign nationals, 29 women, 23 men over 60, 264 young people under 30 (including two minors), and 9 individuals...

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to strengthen railway cooperation to accelerate the movement of grain and food products, marking a significant step toward improving regional trade logistics.

During a meeting at the Saryagash rail junction, transport and agriculture officials from both countries approved new measures to boost cargo capacity. Under the agreement, daily rail exchanges will increase to 35 train pairs, with Uzbekistan set to receive at least 10 grain trains and 5 food cargo trains each day, The Caspian Post reported via Uzbek media.

To ensure uninterrupted deliveries, the two sides will maintain round-the-clock operations, including on...

Uzbekistan has received a $140,000 grant to advance archaeological excavations at the Chinortepa site in the Surkhandarya region, following its admission to the Council of the Asian Alliance for Cultural Heritage.

The announcement was made at the Alliance’s II General Assembly and III Council Meeting in Chongqing, China, attended by representatives from 33 countries and international organizations, The Caspian Post reported via Uzbek media.

Bahodir Abdikarimov, Director of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage Agency, led the national delegation and stressed the need to protect cultural heritage amid rapid urbanisation and environmental pressures. Preserving historical sites, he said, is a responsibility...

Uzbekistan and China are exploring new opportunities to deepen humanitarian cooperation as part of their growing strategic partnership. Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, met with Long Yuxiang, Chairman of the China International Cultural Communication Center, UzA reported.

Both sides discussed ways to further strengthen the «all-weather» partnership between the two countries, noting the Center’s key role in promoting joint initiatives across multiple sectors. Talks focused on expanding cooperation in education, science, culture and tourism, with an emphasis on creating more exchanges and collaborative projects.

The two officials also underscored the importance of...

Uzbekistan has taken a major step toward becoming Central Asia’s fintech hub after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a sweeping decree on 28 November approving a regulatory sandbox for stablecoin payments, set to launch on 1 January 2026.

The initiative will allow selected companies to test blockchain-based payment tools and tokenized assets, including digital versions of shares and bonds, under relaxed licensing rules. The move is part of a broader five-year strategy (2026–2030) to double the number of fintech firms operating in the country from 103 to 200.

To support this expansion, the Central Bank will create a...

Direct flights between Uzbekistan and India’s coastal state of Goa have officially resumed, marking a significant boost to the region’s global travel links. The first reinstated flight, an Airbus A320 from Tashkent, landed at Goa’s Manohar International Airport on 3 December with 121 passengers on board.

Goa’s Minister for Tourism, Rohan A. Khaunte, said the renewed route enhances Goa’s international connectivity and supports efforts to expand into new global markets.

«This link opens fresh opportunities for travel and engagement between our destinations,» he said.

Tourism Director Kedar Naik added that the restored...

Uzbekistan has hosted the Art and Culture Days of Azerbaijan at Fergana State University, an event organised by the Heydar Aliyev Culture Center under the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tashkent, UzA reported.

The programme featured a presentation of Jonimga jo – Ozarbayjonim (My Dear Azerbaijan) by renowned Azerbaijani poet Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh. A delegation led by Akif Marifli, Director of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, joined university professors and lecturers to celebrate the poet’s legacy and the long-standing cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Students welcomed guests with performances of Azerbaijani songs, while an exhibition of paintings and applied arts showcased...

Uzbekistan’s state energy company Uzbekneftegaz has signed a major long-term cooperation agreement with U.S. agribusiness giant Cargill, aimed at bolstering the country’s energy security and accelerating sustainable development.

The deal, signed through Uzbekneftegaz’s international subsidiary UNG Overseas, provides for up to $3 bn in long-term financing, with the possibility of expanding the total to $5 bn. Funding will support projects that enhance the reliability, efficiency and ecological sustainability of Uzbekistan’s energy and water systems.

The partnership is designed to help Uzbekistan meet rising energy demand, adapt to climate pressures and modernise key industrial sectors. UNG Overseas will coordinate...

Uzbekistan and Greece are positioning 2026 as a breakthrough year for bilateral trade, with officials from both countries highlighting untapped economic opportunities.

During a meeting in Athens, Uzbek Ambassador Abat Faizullaev and Stavros Kafounis, president of the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE), stressed that cooperation between the two economies is poised for growth, The Caspian Post reported via Uzbek media.

The talks came as Uzbekistan continues deepening ties with the EU and U.S., supported by planned investments and the opening of a new Greek embassy in Tashkent. Faizullaev called on ESEE to help build stronger communication...

Uzbekistan’s external debt reached $43.97 bn as of October 1, according to new data from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, marking a quarterly increase of $473 mln. Although borrowing has slowed compared with previous periods, the government continues to depend heavily on foreign financing to support public spending and major infrastructure projects.

The World Bank remains Uzbekistan’s largest creditor with $8 bn in outstanding loans, followed by the Asian Development Bank at $7.5 bn. International investors hold $5.8 bn in Eurobonds, while loans from Chinese and Japanese financial institutions amount to $3.7 bn and $3.1 bn, respectively.

Uzbekistan has launched construction of 21 major energy and infrastructure facilities, marking a significant leap in the country’s transition toward clean and reliable power. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the projects at the Powering the Future forum in Tashkent, where he also inaugurated 42 new renewable generation, storage and grid facilities worth $11bn.

Backed by global partners including ACWA Power, Masdar, EDF, TotalEnergies and Siemens Energy, the developments signal rapid expansion of Uzbekistan’s clean-energy sector. Delegations from the UAE, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan attended the forum.

The newly commissioned facilities include 16 solar, wind, thermal and hydropower plants with...

Thailand carried out renewed air and ground strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia on Monday, escalating a conflict that both sides accuse the other of reigniting despite a ceasefire brokered by former U.S. president Donald Trump just six weeks ago.

The Thai military said the operation came after Cambodian forces opened fire in Ubon Ratchathani province on Sunday, killing at least one Thai soldier and wounding eight more. Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said the strikes targeted only military positions and prioritised civilian safety. Cambodia, however, reported that four civilians were killed and at least 10 injured.

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Kim Kardashian says faulty advice from ChatGPT contributed to her failing the California bar exam, adding a new twist to her highly public legal journey. The 45-year-old entrepreneur admitted she relied heavily on the AI tool while preparing for the July exam — only to discover that it supplied incorrect answers «most of the time.»

Speaking during Vanity Fair’s lie-detector series, Kardashian said she sometimes uploaded bar questions directly into ChatGPT.

«It has made me fail tests all the time,» she said. «I’ll get mad, and I’ll yell at it.»

She...

Abdul Qadir Mumin, the man widely reported to be the new leader of ISIS, once lived quietly in the UK with his wife and three children, according to a Daily Mail investigation.

Mumin, born in Somalia and later naturalised as a British citizen, is now believed to be operating in northern Somalia. His wife, 43-year-old British-Somali Muna Abdule, remains in the UK, living in a council flat in Slough with their three children, aged 20, 18 and 17.

Speaking publicly for the first time, Mrs Abdule said her husband disappeared more than a decade ago without explanation.

The 2025 Formula One season concluded in spectacular fashion at Yas Marina Circuit, with Lando Norris lifting his first World Championship and Max Verstappen taking the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory. Oscar Piastri completed a McLaren one-two, highlighting the team’s dominance in a season-long title battle.

Verstappen leads from pole

Max Verstappen started from pole ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The Dutchman launched cleanly and led the early laps, but his win alone could not stop Norris from claiming the championship. For the McLaren driver, a podium finish was enough, but the early stages were...

Max Verstappen seized a crucial pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating Lando Norris by two tenths to ignite the Championship battle ahead of the final race of the 2025 season. Oscar Piastri will start third after a tight qualifying session at Yas Marina that delivered shocks, drama and a late surge from Red Bull.

The Dutchman arrived in Abu Dhabi 12 points behind Norris with Piastri a further four back. Victory on Sunday is essential for Verstappen to stay in contention and he delivered under pressure, claiming his eighth pole of the campaign with a...

George Russell ended the final practice session of the 2025 season on top at Yas Marina, edging Lando Norris by four thousandths of a second as preparations for the title decider reached a dramatic peak. Max Verstappen finished third, 0.124s off the Mercedes driver, with Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri completing the top five.

Championship on a knife edge

Norris leads the standings by 12 points from Verstappen with Piastri a further four behind. A podium for Norris on Sunday guarantees him his first world title regardless of other results. Verstappen must win and hope Norris finishes fourth or...

As of early December 2025, Uzbekistan’s gold and foreign currency reserves reached a record $61.2 bn, according to the central bank. Reserves rose 3.2% over the month and nearly 49% since the start of the year.

Physical gold holdings increased to 12.2 mln troy ounces, valuing the assets at $50.8 bn. Foreign currency reserves accounted for over $9.8 bn, slightly down from $10.9 bn the previous month.

In October, the central bank was among the largest gold buyers, acquiring nine tonnes. Over the first ten months of 2025, Uzbekistan exported gold worth $9.9 bn, up from $6.6 bn...

Uzbekneftegaz and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR have launched a joint project to explore and extract hydrocarbons in the Ustyurt region of Karakalpakstan. Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said the venture underlines the strategic importance of energy cooperation, fostering knowledge sharing, technology exchange and regional energy integration.

The agreement for joint development and production was signed earlier this year, stipulating that extracted resources will be shared between Tashkent and Baku. Geological surveys and drilling of at least one well are expected to be completed within five years. In early December, the Ustyurt Operating Company opened its office in Tashkent to...

The Ministry of Justice has announced that a new decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sets out plans to expand the Tashkent Metro network to 103 km by 2030.

By that time the share of residents using public transport is expected to reach 60%. Average bus speeds are also projected to rise from 18 km/h to 24 km/h. Earlier reports confirmed that the metro line running from Dustlik station to New Tashkent will stretch 21 km and include nine stations. The route will be able to carry up to 230,000 passengers a day.

The Chilanzar line will also be...

The UN nuclear watchdog has warned that the protective arch built over the destroyed reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant can no longer fully carry out its key safety role after sustaining drone damage. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that an inspection last week found the confinement structure, completed in 2019, had been compromised by a drone strike in February. Ukraine says the drone was Russian, although Moscow denies attacking the site.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the mission confirmed the structure had lost its primary safety functions, including its ability to contain radioactive material. He...

Frank Gehry, the Canadian American architect whose bold and fluid designs turned him into a global cultural figure, has died at his home in Santa Monica aged 96. His chief of staff Meaghan Lloyd confirmed he passed away after a short respiratory illness.

Gehry became famous for buildings that looked as if they were folding, leaning or caught in mid-collapse, prompting praise for their originality and criticism for their excess. Even he sometimes doubted the results, once saying of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao:

«Oh, my God, what have I done to these people?»