News

French gendarmes have increased security at oyster and snail farms in response to a rise in thefts ahead of the Christmas season, BFMTV reported, citing gendarmerie spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Erwan Koiffard.

«We are doubling our vigilance as some high-demand products have come under threat,» Koiffard said on December 20.

Authorities report that in the lead-up to the holidays, foie gras, duck breasts, and oysters have been targeted by thieves. In one notable incident, during the night of December 11–12 in the town of Bénassé, a local farmer had 250 kilograms of foie...

Elon Musk has become the first person in modern history to amass a personal fortune exceeding $700 bn, marking an unprecedented milestone in global wealth accumulation.

According to Forbes, the American entrepreneur’s net worth has climbed to an estimated $749 bn, surpassing his own record set just days earlier. On 15 December, Musk’s wealth had already crossed the $600 bn threshold, but recent developments triggered an even sharper rise.

Court ruling reshapes Tesla compensation

The surge is largely attributed to a decision by the Delaware Supreme Court, which overturned a lower court ruling that had invalidated Musk’s compensation package at...

President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has arrived in St. Petersburg for a working visit, according to the official press service. He was welcomed at Pulkovo International Airport by the city’s governor, Alexander Beglov, and other officials.

During the visit on December 21-22, President Mirziyoyev will participate as an observer in the upcoming session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and attend an informal meeting of CIS heads of state.

Key topics on the agenda include strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation within multilateral frameworks. Leaders are also expected to review joint achievements and discuss priority areas for collaboration in...

Uzbekistan’s Qanot Sharq, the country’s first private passenger airline, has officially taken delivery of its first Airbus A321-200neo XLR under a long-term lease with Air Lease. This milestone makes the airline the first operator of the A321XLR in Central Asia and the CIS, marking a major step in modernizing its fleet and expanding international routes.

The new aircraft will allow Qanot Sharq to connect Uzbekistan with destinations across Asia and beyond, including Sanya, Busan, and New York via Budapest. These routes are set to boost connectivity between Uzbekistan, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

Key features of the aircraft:

Uzbekistan continues to solidify its position as the largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) from the Eurasian region, according to a recent report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB).

By the end of the first half of 2025, Uzbekistan had attracted more than $10.7 bn in FDI, representing 22.3% of total Eurasian inflows. Since 2016, cumulative investments in the country have surged 69%, highlighting its growing appeal to regional investors.

The FDI structure in Uzbekistan shows a high capital intensity, with 51 active projects averaging $211 mln each. Nearly half of all investments — $4.8 bn, or 45% — are directed toward the extractive sector, underlining the country’s resource-driven growth...

Uzbekistan is preparing a digital upgrade of its constitutional justice system, with plans to introduce online court hearings, video participation and live-streamed sessions of the Constitutional Court.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on December 18 aimed at modernising the work of the Constitutional Court and expanding public access to constitutional justice. The document was published on the national legal portal Lex.uz.

Easier access to constitutional justice

The reform is designed to simplify how citizens and businesses defend their constitutional rights. Under the new framework, individuals and legal entities that cannot directly apply to the Constitutional...

Uzatom Agency and Muroosystems Corporation are developing a concept for a large-scale data centre in Uzbekistan that would be powered entirely by electricity from small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The planned facility is expected to require a constant load of around 50 MW.

The project proposes a direct energy supply model, under which power generated by SMRs would be used on-site, bypassing the national grid. This approach is designed to ensure uninterrupted operation — a critical requirement for modern data infrastructure.

Data centres form the backbone of today’s digital economy, supporting cloud services, artificial intelligence systems, financial platforms and global communications...

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a lecture at the United Nations University in Tokyo, becoming the first leader from Central Asia to speak at the institution. He described the invitation as recognition of Kazakhstan’s growing international role and commitment to multilateralism.

«The number and intensity of armed conflicts have reached their highest level in decades,» Tokayev said, noting that rising geopolitical rivalry has weakened the ability of international institutions to respond effectively.

He stressed that restoring confidence between states was essential, arguing that «a renewed culture of strategic trust must become the foundation of international cooperation and collective decision-making».

During his official visit to Tokyo, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with executives from JOGMEC and ITOCHU, including Ichiro Takaharu and Jun Inomata. Discussions focused on expanding practical cooperation and implementing joint projects using advanced Japanese technologies.

The work of JOGMEC and ITOCHU in developing uranium deposits in Navoi and Kashkadarya regions was highly praised, and plans for precious metal extraction at prospective sites were reviewed. Uzbekistan’s long-term collaboration with ITOCHU in engineering, geology, and infrastructure was also highlighted, alongside agreements for exporting critical minerals to Japan.

New initiatives in technology and social sectors

Emerging areas of cooperation...

Uzbekistan has been placed in Group A — the highest tier for digital government maturity — in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index 2025. The index assesses digital transformation in the public sector across 197 countries, categorising them by maturity rather than ranking them.

In 2025, 80 countries, or 41% of those studied, were classified in Group A. Uzbekistan now shares this category with nations traditionally regarded as leaders in digital services, including South Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada and several EU countries. The placement highlights Uzbekistan’s rapid advancement in modernising public administration.

The GovTech Maturity Index evaluates countries in...

At least three people were killed and nine more injured after a knife-wielding man went on a rampage in Taipei on Friday evening, BBC reports. The 27-year-old suspect, identified as Taiwanese national Chang Wen, set off smoke bombs at the city’s main metro station before moving to a shopping district and stabbing people along the way, Premier Cho Jung-tai said.

Chang later died in hospital after falling from a multi-storey building. His motives remain unknown. Authorities said he had a criminal record and was already wanted by police. The premier confirmed that an investigation into the suspect’s background and...

The US justice department has published an initial batch of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, BBC reports. This is the first release under a law passed by Congress that requires the full disclosure of the files.

The highly anticipated material includes photographs, videos and investigative records. However the Department of Justice admitted it would not meet the legal deadline to release the entire collection by Friday.

The first tranche names several well known figures, among them former US president Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and musicians Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson. Officials stressed that being mentioned or appearing in...

Nearly 2,700 citizens of Uzbekistan visited Japan in the first 11 months of 2025, up 16.2% year on year, according to data from the National Statistics Committee.

Most travellers from Uzbekistan went to Japan for tourism, accounting for around 2,200 visits. Another 294 people travelled to see relatives, while 137 listed education as the main purpose of their trip.

Travel in the opposite direction grew at a faster pace. About 30,000 Japanese citizens visited Uzbekistan over the same period, an increase of 41.1% compared with last year.

Tourism dominated Japanese arrivals, with roughly 27,600 visitors. Around 1,500 travelled to...

Formula 1 could be heading towards an early controversy in the 2026 season, with reports suggesting a possible protest at the Australian Grand Prix over an alleged power unit loophole.

According to Motorsport Magazin, Ferrari, Audi and Honda have raised concerns with the FIA about a method that Mercedes High Performance Powertrains and Red Bull Powertrains are believed to have identified under the new engine regulations.

From 2026, technical rules cap the geometric compression ratio of power units at 16:1. Rival manufacturers suspect Mercedes and Red Bull may have found a way to effectively restore this figure to around...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has put forward a series of initiatives to strengthen cooperation between Central Asia and Japan, centring on a long term strategy through to 2040 and regular meetings of regional leaders.

Speaking at the first Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue summit in Tokyo on December 20, Mirziyoyev proposed holding summits at the level of heads of state every two years. He said Uzbekistan was ready to host one of the next meetings.

The president also suggested drafting a Central Asia–Japan 2040 strategy to set long term priorities for cooperation and outline concrete projects in economic development...

Uzbekistan is considering the construction of a Disneyland-style theme park that could become a new tourist attraction for the region. The idea was discussed during a meeting between Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration, and Hayma Washington, vice president of The Walt Disney Company.

The talks also covered plans to establish a creative Cinema Park offering preferential conditions for international companies. The project would involve Hollywood professionals in training a new generation of animators directors and screenwriters.

In addition, the sides discussed opening a Central Asia representative office for Disney in Uzbekistan and launching a children’s television channel with...

British boxing star Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring on Friday night against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in one of the most unconventional heavyweight bouts in recent years.

The fight will be streamed live on Netflix at no extra cost to subscribers, marking a rare move away from traditional pay-per-view broadcasting. However, UK fans have been warned they could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they watch the bout live without a valid TV licence.

Under UK law, a TV licence is required to watch or stream any live broadcast, including events shown on streaming platforms...

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has played down speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City, insisting he expects to remain at Stamford Bridge next season.

The Italian, whose contract with Chelsea runs until 2029, said reports suggesting he could replace Pep Guardiola at City are «100% speculation.» Speaking on Friday, Maresca stressed that his focus remains solely on his current role.

«I have a contract here until 2029. My focus is just about this club and I’m very proud to be here,» he said, adding that similar rumours had previously linked him...

Uzbekistan has expressed concern that its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is progressing more slowly than expected. This information was shared by presidential WTO representative Azizbek Urunov.

«This perception is based on the nature, timing, and substance of some of the questions we receive within the Working Party cycles,» Urunov explained.

He added that while some protocols «regrettably remain unsigned or not formally closed due to issues unrelated to market access,» Uzbekistan fully shares the WTO’s core values of fairness and predictability in global trade and does not consider membership a «favour.»

The European Union has issued its strongest condemnation to date of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, citing «grave and ongoing atrocities» following the paramilitary group’s capture of El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur previously held by the Sudanese Armed Forces.

In conclusions adopted after the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels accused the RSF of deliberate attacks on civilians, ethnically motivated killings, widespread sexual and gender-based violence, the use of starvation as a weapon of war, and systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid. The EU said such acts may amount to war crimes and crimes against...

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is expected to undergo a lung transplant after her health worsened over recent months, the royal household announced on Friday.

The 52-year-old, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. The chronic condition causes scarring of the lungs and reduces the body’s ability to absorb oxygen. According to the palace, medical examinations carried out this autumn revealed a clear decline in her health.

Officials said it has not yet been decided when the crown princess will be placed on the transplant waiting list.

Professor...

Chinese money-laundering networks (CMLNs) have become a central financial conduit for Latin American drug cartels, linking Chinese capital flight to the global drug economy, according to a new analysis published this week.

The report argues that CMLNs now function as a shadow liquidity system, enabling cartels, particularly in Mexico, to convert bulk U.S. drug cash into usable purchasing power inside China without formal cross-border transfers. This mechanism allows criminal groups to access Chinese industrial supply chains, including producers of fentanyl precursors, pill presses and consumer goods, while simultaneously facilitating offshore dollar access for wealthy Chinese clients seeking to...

France welcomed a European Union decision to raise €90 bn in joint borrowing to support Ukraine in 2026–27, describing the move as a turning point in Europe’s security policy.

The agreement, approved by EU leaders at the European Council after weeks of negotiations, will channel around $105 bn in loans to Ukraine. Unlike previous mechanisms, the plan relies on collective borrowing rather than direct transfers from national budgets, signalling a shift toward shared financial responsibility as the war with Russia continues.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the decision marks a decisive step for Europe’s security posture. In...

President Donald Trump has ordered the suspension of the U.S. green card lottery program following revelations that the suspect behind the Brown University shooting and the killing of an MIT professor entered the country through the scheme.

In a post on X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the suspect, identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national, entered the United States in 2017 under the diversity visa program. She said Trump had directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to immediately pause the program.

Neves Valente fatally shot two students at Brown University and...