News

For the first time in Central Asia, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) will be held in Samarkand in 2028, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov announced on his Telegram channel. The decision was made in Sydney, where this year’s congress in taking place.

The proposal to host the global space event was presented by the Uzbek delegation «Uzbekcosmos» during the IAC session from September 29 to October 3. Shermatov noted that Uzbekistan had to compete with strong bids from India and Bahrain.

«Six centuries ago, Mirzo Ulughbek established an observatory and madrasa, making Samarkand a centre of...

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the credentials of Ashraf Khodjaev, the new head of Uzbekistan’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria.

🇿🇦His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa receives Letter of Credence from Head of Mission, HE Dr Ashraf Khodjaev of the Republic of #Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 at a Credentials Ceremony held at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.#BetterAfricaBetterWorld 🌍 pic.twitter.com/ACUJ9FFTdJ

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 2, 2025

The ceremony took place at the Sefako Makgatho residence in the capital. Khodjaev was previously appointed ambassador to Qatar in January last year and earlier served as...

A fire broke out on October 2, at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery, one of the largest facilities on the US west coast, according to the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Officials confirmed the flames were contained to a single area.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the cause of the blaze remains unclear, while broadcaster CBS said emergency services rushed to the refinery following reports of an explosion. Newsom’s office said it was working with state and local agencies to ensure public safety.

Police told CBS they had no reports of injuries or evacuations. Los Angeles county supervisor...

Israel came under heavy international criticism on Thursday after its navy intercepted nearly 40 boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and detained more than 450 foreign activists, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, Reuters reports.

Live footage from the flotilla showed Israeli soldiers in helmets and night-vision gear boarding the ships at night, while passengers in life vests raised their hands. A video released by Israel’s foreign ministry showed Thunberg seated on a deck surrounded by troops.

Worldwide Protests Erupt

The operation, launched two years into Israel’s assault on Gaza, triggered demonstrations across Europe as well as in Karachi, Buenos...

Uzbekistan’s external debt stood at $72.2 bn in the first half of 2025, according to a report by the Central Bank. Public external borrowings accounted for $36.8 bn, while corporate debt reached $35.4 bn.

The regulator also highlighted a significant rise in the country’s reserve assets. By early July, reserves had increased to $48.5 bn, up by $7.4 bn since the start of the year.

«Driven by balance of payments operations and non-operational changes, Uzbekistan’s net international investment position strengthened by 23% compared to the beginning of the year and reached $16.9 bn,» the report...

Former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has agreed to take charge of Uzbekistan’s national football team.

According to football insider Fabrizio Romano, the two sides have reached a verbal agreement on the terms, with the contract expected to be signed within 48 hours. An official announcement is likely to be made on Monday.

🚨🇺🇿 EXCL: Fabio Cannavaro verbally agrees to become new Uzbekistan head coach as part of World Cup 2026.

Agreement in place on contract terms with formal documents expected to be reviewed and signed in 24/48h.

Cannavaro, ready to accept as revealed on Monday. 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/0qdy6GSdEf

...

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok praised his country’s scientific achievements and stressed the importance of responsible technological development during his speech at the opening of a forum in Astana.

Sulyok is in Kazakhstan from October 1–3 at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In his remarks, the Hungarian leader underlined Hungary’s long tradition of innovation and its ambitions in fields such as artificial intelligence and large-scale language models.

«Thank you for this day. We celebrate it and give thanks for the efforts that allow us to pass laws and move forward,» Sulyok said. «Hungary has great opportunities...

Peruvian police have arrested 20-year-old Tony Janzen Valverde Victoriano, known as «Little J,» accused of ordering the kidnapping and murder of three young women in Argentina.

Valverde was found hiding in a lorry in Pucusana, near Lima, after fleeing Argentina, where he allegedly led a drug gang. Police say he ordered the killings of Lara Gutiérrez, 15, and her cousins Brenda del Castillo and Morena Verdi, both 20, after accusing them of stealing 6lb of cocaine.

The victims were lured to a party with the promise of payment, kidnapped, and taken to a house near Buenos Aires, where they were...

Allied Biofuels FE LLC Uzbekistan has signed agreements with the Khorezm regional authorities to construct a plant producing green aviation fuel, the company’s press service told Kursiv Uzbekistan. The project carries an investment value of $5.9 bn.

The plant will be located in Tuprakkala district and will be the first facility of its kind in Central Asia. It is expected to produce 382,000 tonnes of aviation fuel annually, along with other fuel types, all designed with zero emissions.

According to the company, the project represents the first step towards creating a climate-focused aviation fuel supply chain in Uzbekistan and will...

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has underlined that a brighter future can only be achieved through the synergy of human potential and advanced technological innovation.

Speaking about artificial intelligence, he reminded participants that AI can imitate thought but cannot feel.

«Although artificial intelligence can analyse and make predictions, it cannot dream or imagine like we do,» Tokayev said.

He added that while the situation might change in the next decade or two, for now AI remains without empathy or what he called a «soul».

He emphasised that technology must serve humanity and that human thinking...

XRP climbed nearly 5% in the past 24 hours to trade just under $3, with analysts pointing to October as a potentially bullish month for the cryptocurrency.

The token has established strong support at $2.80, a level where onchain data shows billions of XRP were previously accumulated. Analysts say this foundation could drive a breakout from its current descending triangle pattern, targeting gains of up to 23% toward $3.66.

«XRP is compressing within a triangle as buyers defend $2.8,» said Alpha Crypto Signal. «This sets up for a decisive move.»

Further momentum could come from looming U.S. Securities and...

Prince William has described the killing of aid workers in conflict zones as a «cruel affront» to humanitarian principles during the launch of a new memorial in west London.

Speaking at the opening of the Global Humanitarian Memorial in Gunnersbury Park, the Prince of Wales paid tribute to aid workers who «bring solace in the darkest of times» and highlighted the dangers they face.

«Last year, 385 humanitarian workers were killed while on duty. This year, the number is already at 300,» he said. «Every single one of those deaths is a tragedy.»

The...

Kazakhstan’s Halyk Bank has received regulatory approval to acquire a stake in Uzbekistan’s leading payment company Click, according to a decision by the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan.

The agreement, first reported in July, sets out that Halyk Bank will purchase 49% of Click’s shares for $176.4 mln. As part of a reciprocal arrangement, Click will acquire 49% of Tenge Bank, Halyk Bank’s Uzbek subsidiary, for $60.7 mln. Both transactions remain subject to final approval from Uzbekistan’s Central Bank and its Competition Development Committee, as well as relevant Kazakh regulators.

Halyk Bank is...

Uzbekistan has delivered its first shipment of Torpedo melons to Singapore, a milestone that broadens the country’s agricultural export map, according to Dunyo news agency. The consignment was carried out by Fergana Exim Agro.

Singapore, located in the equatorial zone and surrounded by major fruit and vegetable producers, is considered one of the most competitive markets in the world. Despite this, Uzbek melons with their distinctive sweetness and aroma have won the attention of consumers, demonstrating their ability to compete in such a demanding environment.

Access to Singapore’s market, which is known for its strict safety and quality standards...

Telegram founder Pavel Durov opened his speech at the Digital Bridge forum in Astana with a playful remark about finding a wife in Kazakhstan, before turning to a major announcement on artificial intelligence.

«Many successful people told me they came to Kazakhstan to find a wife,» he said. «Well, regrettably, I haven’t come here today to find myself a wife. At least, it’s not the primary purpose of it. I came here to talk about AI.»

After the joke, Durov described artificial intelligence as a disruptive force that will reshape every sector. He praised Kazakhstan...

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has once again travelled to Kazakhstan, where he met students at IQanat school in Astana before his appearance at the Digital Bridge forum.

The school confirmed his visit, saying Durov toured the campus, observed student life and spent several hours speaking with pupils in an informal setting.

«For 500 children from rural areas it was a true celebration, better than a birthday. A year ago Pavel joined the board of trustees and contributed more than $350,000 to support the education of 12 students from Kazakh villages,» IQanat said in a statement.

Uzbekistan and the United States have reached agreements on energy projects worth between $3 and $4 bn, Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov said in an interview with O’zbekiston 24.

He explained that American company Air Products had confirmed its readiness to expand investments in Uzbekistan and diversify its operations in the country.

The Ministry of Energy has signed major deals to replace gas-powered equipment with electric motors in the national gas transport system, including at compressor and booster stations. The US Export-Import Bank has expressed strong interest in financing these initiatives, the minister added.

In the drilling sector, the ministry signed...

Afghans have poured into the streets to celebrate the return of internet and telecom services after the Taliban abruptly cut them off for two days, drawing sharp criticism at home and abroad, BBC reports.

Local journalists reported that connections were resuming, while internet monitor NetBlocks confirmed a «partial restoration» of access. A government source told BBC Afghan the decision came directly from the Taliban prime minister.

The blackout, which lasted 48 hours, halted businesses, disrupted flights and restricted access to emergency services. It also deepened fears that women and girls, already facing sweeping restrictions under Taliban rule since...

Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram, says his personal wealth comes mainly from Bitcoin, not from the messaging app.

In an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Durov said he bought thousands of Bitcoin in 2013 when the price was around $700. He invested «a couple of million» and held on even when the price later crashed to below $200.

«I believe in this thing. Nobody can confiscate your Bitcoin, nobody can censor you,» Durov said. He added that the investment has allowed him to «stay afloat» and pay for his lifestyle, including private flights...

Actress Emma Watson has said she still loves and «treasures» Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, even though they disagree on trans rights.

Speaking on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Watson said her personal memories with Rowling remain important to her.

«I will never believe that one negates the other,» she said. «My experience of that person I get to keep and cherish.»

Watson has often voiced support for trans rights. Rowling’s views on the subject have led to strong criticism and calls to boycott Harry Potter media.

The actress also spoke about her...

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has been named as a potential candidate for the vacant head coach role at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, according to reports from Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah.

The Jeddah-based club dismissed Laurent Blanc earlier this week and is now targeting a high-profile appointment. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is believed to be their top priority, though Emery has also been shortlisted alongside Xavi Hernández, Luciano Spalletti, and Sérgio Conceição.

Emery’s stock has risen sharply since taking charge at Villa, leading the club back into European competition and establishing them as a strong Premier League contender...

Karolina Krzyzak, a 27-year-old former Leeds University student from Poland, was found dead in her hotel room in Bali after years of adhering to an extreme «fruitarian» diet.

Krzyzak, who once weighed as little as 3.5 stone (22 kilograms), had consumed only raw fruit since the age of 19. Friends and family said she became increasingly obsessed with «clean eating» and body image, despite suffering severe health consequences including osteoporosis, nutrient deficiencies, and visible physical decline.

Found Dead in Resort Room

Krzyzak checked into the Sumberkima Hill resort in northern Bali in December 2024. Staff described her as...

Actress Nicole Kidman has filed for divorce from country singer Keith Urban after nearly two decades of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

Court papers submitted in Tennessee confirm the couple have agreed on custody arrangements for their two daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. Kidman will be the primary carer, with Urban having custody for 59 days a year. No spousal or childcare support will be paid, as both earn more than $100K a month.

Attention has also turned to the pair’s prenuptial agreement, which included a clause reportedly entitling Urban to $600K per year of marriage if...

Artificial superintelligence (ASI) may arrive by 2030 but will likely only surpass humans in specific areas, according to Zhang Peng, CEO of Chinese startup Zhipu AI.

Speaking at the launch of the company’s latest large language model, GLM-4.6, Zhang said the timeline for ASI remained unclear.

«Achieving or exceeding human intelligence levels by 2030 might mean surpassing humans in one or several aspects, but likely still falling far short in many areas,» he noted.

The debate over when ASI will outpace humans has intensified. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman suggested it could happen before...