News

Uzbekistan is expected to see a steady decline in natural gas production over the next few years, according to the draft Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy. The government now plans to reach 38.7 bn cubic metres by 2030 — a sharp cut from the 62 bn cubic metres goal in the 2023 strategy.

Projections show production slipping in the short term. In 2026, output is likely to hit 37.9 bn cubic metres, followed by 35.6 bn in 2027 and 33.4 bn in 2028. Growth is only expected to return in 2029, rising 23.3% to 41.2 bn cubic metres, though 2026 alone will see a drop of over 6%.

Statistics from the State Committee on...

Zohraan Mamdani officially assumed office as mayor of New York City, taking the oath of office on the Quran, marking the first time a city mayor has used the Islamic holy book for the ceremony, RBC reports.

The private ceremony took place at midnight on New Year’s Eve at the City Hall subway station, near the municipal building. «This is truly an honour and a privilege of a lifetime,» Mamdani said.

The 34-year-old won a landslide victory in November, promising voters free and faster bus services, a network of municipal grocery stores, universal preschool education, and a rent freeze for nearly 2 mln New Yorkers living in rent-regulated apartments.

Mamdani...

The United States has reportedly launched a military operation in Venezuela, according to local media. Early on Saturday morning in Caracas, eyewitnesses reported the presence of aircraft, loud explosions, and rising columns of smoke, Reuters reported.

Residents also said that in the southern part of the city, near a major military base, power outages were occurring.

So far, Venezuelan authorities have not issued any statements clarifying the nature or cause of the incidents.

The reports have drawn attention in light of previous statements by US President Donald Trump, who had repeatedly suggested the possibility of a ground operation in Venezuela to pressure President Nicolás Maduro to step down.

According to Washington...

Spanish rail company Talgo has signed a comprehensive maintenance contract with Joint Stock company «O’zbekiston temir yo’llari»  for Uzbekistan’s fleet of high-speed trains. The agreement, valued at around €80 mln, will run for ten years.

According to El Periódico Digital, the contract covers six Talgo 250 trains operating on Uzbekistan’s high-speed lines under the Afrosiyob brand.

This is Talgo’s largest contract in Uzbekistan and one of the most significant service projects the company has undertaken in recent years.

The deal continues a partnership spanning more than 15 years between the Spanish manufacturer and Uzbekistan’s railways, which began with the delivery of the first Talgo trains for the Tashkent–Samarkand route.

Under the agreement, Talgo will...

Leaders of Central Asian countries have outlined coordinated priorities aimed at accelerating economic development, innovation and investment, signalling a shared regional focus on growth and modernisation.

In Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced a transition to an innovation-driven growth model. He also declared 2026 the Year of Mahalla and Society, highlighting plans to strengthen local communities while advancing broader economic and social reforms.

Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov emphasised the completion of longstanding border issues, describing the resolution as a key foundation for national security and improved investment attractiveness. According to the Kyrgyz leadership, stable borders are expected to...

Uzbekistan will implement mandatory publication of state procurement results starting in 2026, as part of measures to increase competition and transparency in public contracts.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on December 26, which sets out reforms to make the state procurement system more competitive, transparent, and service-oriented. The decree is published on Lex.uz.

By 2030, the government aims to increase the share of competitive procurement methods to 80% of all contracts, achieve savings of UZS 25 trillion, double business participation, and raise the share of domestically produced goods to 98%.

From January 1, 2026, the list of goods, works, and services that could be procured via direct contracts will be cancelled...

New immigration restrictions signed by former President Donald Trump came into effect in the United States on January 1. The rules affect both travellers and visa applicants from several countries.

Under the updated guidance, individuals from Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Syriaare not allowed to enter the U.S. The travel ban also continues for Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Partial restrictions remain in place for Venezuela and Cuba. The White House said the measures are for national security and public safety, while immigrant advocates argue they target African...

Legendary investor Warren Buffett has officially stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the age of 95. Buffett spent six decades transforming the company from a struggling textile business into one of the largest and most influential conglomerates in the world.

Buffett’s longtime deputy and handpicked successor, Greg Abel, officially takes over as CEO. In a letter to shareholders in November, Buffett praised Abel, writing: «He is a great manager, a tireless worker and an honest communicator. Wish him an extended tenure.»

Together with his late business partner Charlie Munger, Buffett built Berkshire Hathaway into a global powerhouse. The company owns diverse businesses including insurance companies, railroads, Dairy Queen...

Victoria Jones, the 34-year-old daughter of actor Tommy Lee Jones, was found dead at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel on Thursday, January 1, according to multiple reports.

The San Francisco Fire Department confirmed they responded to a medical emergency at the hotel just before 3 a.m. local time. Upon arrival, paramedics discovered an unnamed adult female deceased at the scene. The San Francisco Police Department later confirmed officers were on site and declared the individual dead. NBC Bay Area reported that law enforcement sources believe the woman was Victoria Jones. No foul play is suspected, and the cause of death has not been made...

Uzbekistan has announced a customs duty exemption for EV charging equipment, its components, and related service infrastructure from January 1, 2026 until January 1, 2028, the government said. The measure aims to accelerate the adoption of clean transport and strengthen the country’s green infrastructure.

The presidential decree also allows duty-free import of spare parts for silkworm spinning and weaving machines, mulberry seeds and saplings, and super-elite, elite, and industrial silkworm seeds during the same period.

In addition, the government has introduced tax incentives for companies involved in waste processing. Between January 1, 2026 and January 1, 2031, corporate profit tax and social tax will be set at 1% for...

The Uzbek government has approved a festival for artists and photographers, which will be held in the city of Babur in May 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced. The event will take place every two years.

Winners of the festival will receive a Chevrolet Onix from the President of Uzbekistan, along with a diploma, a commemorative statuette and a cash prize.

Applicants must submit their documents to the organisers by February 1. Required materials include a personal questionnaire (CV) and three 6×9 colour photographs.

Participants also need to provide proof of experience, such as participation in previous exhibitions or festivals. In addition, applicants must...

In an interview with blogger Kirill Altman on the YouTube channel AlterEgo, Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration, said that successful reforms require flexibility and a wise approach, rather than rigidity.

She noted that while reforms in the country are still in their early stages, their impact is already being felt. In particular, doing business has become easier. Yet, she emphasised, many problems persist, especially outside the main cities.

Mirziyoyeva explained that the government’s capacity to tackle these issues is limited, citing geographical, financial and infrastructure constraints. Much of the country’s infrastructure remains outdated, as in other post-Soviet states. Updating it, she said...

From January 1, 2026, Kazakhstan will take over the chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has addressed leaders of member states, outlining the country’s priorities for its leadership term.

Kazakhstan plans to share expertise in artificial intelligence, digital regulation and economic transformation. The country also aims to support innovation, digitalisation of industry and agriculture, and fund breakthrough projects across the union.

A key priority is to speed up the movement of goods within EAEU countries, reducing bureaucratic barriers and delays. Trade within the union is expected to be barrier-free, with restrictions and prohibitions removed.

The EAEU under Kazakhstan will...

China is expected to play a dominant role in the global processing of critical minerals by 2030. The country is projected to control almost 60% of global processing capacity for lithium, rare earth elements, cobalt and graphite, according to industry forecasts.

China’s strongest position remains in rare earth elements. By 2030, it is expected to account for 86.11% of global rare earth processing, far ahead of all other countries. The United States ranks second in this segment with a share of 5.14%, giving it one of its most competitive positions in the critical minerals supply chain.

Nickel is the only major mineral where...

Uzbekistan plans to privatise five state-owned banks under the updated Uzbekistan–2030 strategy published for public discussion. The reform is aimed at reducing the government’s role in the banking sector and increasing market competition.

The state currently owns nine banks, including the National Bank of Uzbekistan, Agrobank, Uzpromstroybank and Asakabank. In 2026 the number of state-owned banks will drop to eight. By 2030 the government plans to retain ownership of only four banks. This means that at least one bank is expected to be privatised each year. A previous version of the strategy adopted in 2023 allowed for three to four banks to remain under state control.

Another...

Russia accused Ukraine on Thursday of killing at least 24 people, including a child, in a drone strike on a hotel and cafe in the Russian-controlled southern Kherson region. Civilians were reportedly celebrating New Year at the time.

The accusation was first made by Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of the region. Russia’s Foreign Ministry and senior politicians later labelled the attack a «terrorist act».

Saldo said three Ukrainian drones struck the site in the village of Khorly in a «deliberate strike» targeting civilians. Many victims were reportedly burnt alive. According to Russia, 50 people were injured, including six...

Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus games for January 2026, kicking off the new year with Need for Speed Unbound, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and Core Keeper. These three titles will be available to all PlayStation Plus members from January 6 through February 2.

PlayStation Plus members still have time to add December’s games to their library until January 5. These include Lego Horizon Adventures, Killing Floor 3, The Outlast Trials, Synduality Echo of Ada, and Neon White.

Need for Speed Unbound, originally released in 2022, leads the pack on PS5. Players can race against time, outsmart the cops...

Uzbekistan will launch high-speed trains on the Tashkent–Urgench–Khiva route starting in 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced. The service will become possible after the electrification of the Bukhara–Khiva section is completed.

By the end of next year, the Miskin–Nukus line will also be electrified, allowing high-speed electric trains to operate. The government aims to increase annual passenger numbers to 23.5 mln by 2030 and expand the number of electric train routes from 40 to 53.

High-speed rail services are also planned for the Andijan, Namangan, Fergana and Surkhandarya regions by 2030, further boosting connectivity across the country.

Kursiv also...

Around 40 people were killed and about 100 others injured after an explosion ripped through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.

The blast was followed by a fire that broke out at about 1.30 am at a venue called Le Constellation in southwestern Switzerland. Authorities said the cause has not yet been determined but there were no indications of an attack.

«At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack,» prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told a news...

The U.S. government has issued an annual export licence allowing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) to bring U.S.-made chipmaking equipment into its factory in Nanjing, China.

TSMC said the approval would allow its operations and product deliveries to continue without disruption. Similar licences have also been granted to South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

Previously, these Asian chipmakers operated under exemptions from Washington’s broad restrictions on chip-related exports to China. Those privileges, known as validated end-user status, expired on December 31, requiring the companies to apply for export licences for 2026.

In a statement, TSMC said the U.S. Department...

Netflix experienced a brief disruption for some users on Wednesday evening as the series finale of «Stranger Things» was released. It marked the second technical issue linked to the show’s final season, following problems during the Season 5 premiere in late November.

The streaming service went down at about 5 pm PT, matching the scheduled release time of the finale. The outage lasted roughly a minute and was resolved after users refreshed the platform. Those affected saw an error screen featuring an image from «Nailed It!» with a message apologising for the problem and directing viewers back to the...

Uzbekistan will maintain a zero customs duty on the import of socially important goods until January 1, 2027. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the decree extending the measure.

The policy is aimed at ensuring access to essential products for the population and supporting economic stability. A wide range of everyday goods will continue to be imported without customs duties.

The list includes meat and eggs such as beef, lamb, fish, eggs and processed or canned meat products. Dairy items and fats are also covered, including butter, other milk fats, vegetable and animal oils, margarine, yoghurt, cheese and cottage cheese.

Arden Cho and Ahn Hyo-seop, who voice the romantic leads Rumi and Jinu in «KPop Demon Hunters,» are set to make their first joint interview appearance on «The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.»

The episode will air on January 12 at 11.35 pm ET/PT on NBC and will be available to stream on Peacock the following day. NBC announced the appearance through a teaser shared on social media.

In the video, a young girl hands Fallon a drawing she says she made for him. The sketch features Rumi and Jinu, alongside the actors’ names and the episode date, prompting...

«Zootopia 2» has secured its place in Disney history, becoming the highest-grossing release ever from Walt Disney Animation.

The animated sequel has taken in $1.46 bn worldwide, overtaking «Frozen 2,» which earned $1.45 bn in 2019. Of the total, $333 mln came from North America, while overseas markets delivered $1.13 bn.

The film continued its strong run over the Christmas holiday weekend. In its fifth week in cinemas, it added $87.9 mln globally. It reached the $1 bn mark in just 17 days, making it the fastest PG-rated film to hit that milestone.

China has been a standout market...