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Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive Sprint victory at the Circuit of the Americas after a dramatic 19-lap race that saw chaos on the opening lap and both McLarens eliminated within moments of the start.

The Dutchman led from pole, managing his tyres and the heat throughout, while George Russell pushed hard in the early stages before settling for second. Carlos Sainz completed the podium with a composed drive that salvaged valuable points for Williams.

McLaren’s Nightmare Start

The Sprint began in sweltering conditions, with track temperatures soaring above 40°C. As the lights went out, Verstappen made a clean...

President of Finland Alexander Stubb will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan on October 30–31, his press service has announced.

During the visit, Stubb is scheduled to meet with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on October 31. The discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral relations between Finland and Uzbekistan, as well as addressing geopolitical developments and their regional impact on Europe and Central Asia, the statement said.

The Finnish president’s office added that the agenda will also include issues related to Russia’s «unlawful aggression against Ukraine» and cooperation in support of the multilateral system.

Nvidia has unveiled its first US-made Blackwell wafer, produced at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) facility in Phoenix, as global demand for AI chips continues to accelerate.

The company said the milestone strengthens the US semiconductor supply chain and helps bring the AI technology stack back onshore, transforming data into intelligence while reinforcing America’s leadership in the AI era. The move also aligns with President Donald Trump’s ongoing drive to bolster US technology and manufacturing capabilities.

TSMC’s Arizona plant will produce some of the most advanced chip technologies, including two-, three-, and four-nanometre nodes, as well as A...

The mother and two sisters of Samsung Electronics chairman Jay Y. Lee are preparing to sell shares worth $1.22 bn in the South Korean tech giant, Reuters reports.

The planned sale of 17.7 mln shares, representing about 0.3% of Samsung Electronics, is intended to cover inheritance taxes and loan repayments, the filing submitted late Friday to the Korea Exchange stated.

Analysts say the move by Lee’s mother Hong Ra-hee and his sisters Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun forms part of the family’s ongoing efforts to settle an inheritance tax bill of around $8.4 bn following the 2020 death of...

Uzbekistan’s Central Bank has imposed fines on eight banks for failing to comply with financial monitoring regulations and requirements related to the protection of clients’ rights.

A further seven banks and 13 payment institutions were issued official warnings and sanctions for various breaches of national financial legislation.

According to the regulator, the Banking Supervision Committee reviewed 43 cases in September, taking corresponding decisions. Of these, 28 were linked to registration and licensing matters, including amendments to the charters of credit institutions, the registration of new microfinance companies, and the accreditation of auditors.

The remaining 15 cases focused on the...

A new 1,500-megawatt thermal power plant has been commissioned in Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya region, developed in partnership with Saudi energy company ACWA Power. The announcement was made by Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov during an interview with O’zbekiston 24, the ministry’s press service reports.

The minister said that alongside the Syrdarya plant, new renewable facilities have begun operating, including a 200 MW solar station in Tashkent region, two 500 MW wind farms in Bukhara region, and a 100 MW wind project in Karakalpakstan. By the end of the year, an energy storage system will also be launched in Parkent district to store...

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have cemented their positions as the world’s top boxing nations, according to the inaugural men’s and women’s rankings published by World Boxing.

Uzbekistan leads with 12 fighters, seven men and five women, placed in the top five across 20 weight categories. Kazakhstan follows closely with 11 boxers, including six men and five women. Türkiye ranks third with eight athletes, while Brazil, China, England, India and Japan also feature strongly among the top contenders.

At the top of the leaderboards, Kazakhstan holds seven world number one spots, four in men’s divisions and three in women’s, while six...

Porsche has introduced the Macan GTS, the sportiest version of its all-electric SUV, combining bold design with exceptional performance and cutting-edge technology.

The Macan GTS sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds and delivers up to 571 hp, with a top speed limited to 250 km/h. The WLTP range reaches up to 586 km, while fast charging from 10 to 80% takes only 21 minutes.

To enhance driving dynamics, the model comes with a sport-tuned air suspension, an electronically controlled rear differential lock, and all-wheel drive. The standard Sport Chrono package features a dedicated «Track» mode that...

Electricity imports from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan were severely disrupted after a 220-kW transmission line connecting the two countries collapsed into the Amu Darya River following a cable break.

The incident has reduced electricity supplies by more than half, leading to temporary outages in several Afghan provinces including Samangan, Baghlan, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir and Kabul. Partial power remains available in Nangarhar, Laghman, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Logar, Paktia and Khost.

Energy teams from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are working together to restore the damaged line and resume full electricity transmission.

Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has urged members of the Commonwealth of Independent...

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is finalising plans to open its first Regional Representation in Central Asia, a move marking a new phase in the bank’s engagement with the region, EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris told Trend in an exclusive interview.

«At the EU–Central Asia Summit, we signed a host country agreement with Uzbekistan, paving the way for the opening of our Regional Representation in Central Asia,» Kakouris said. «We expect all administrative steps to be completed soon, and the office to become operational shortly.»

The decision underscores the strategic importance of Central Asia in...

Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov is expected to remain sidelined for at least another week, according to fresh reports from Uzbekistan.

The 21-year-old has not featured since sustaining an injury during City’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal last month. Despite early optimism about his recovery, Khusanov has yet to rejoin full training, delaying his comeback.

The Uzbekistan international has already missed four matches, against Huddersfield, Burnley, AS Monaco, and Brentford, and will reportedly be unavailable for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

Sources, including journalist Davron Fayziev, suggest the club is being cautious to avoid aggravating...

A $7 Mln manufacturing plant, IMZO GLASS KHOREZM LLC, has started operations in the Hazorasp Free Economic Zone near the Al-Khwarizmi township in Urgench.

Equipped with advanced imported machinery, the facility will produce tempered glass and window/door frames with an annual capacity of 300K sq m. Output is projected at about 116 bn soums a year and the plant has created 100 new jobs for young specialists.

Officials say the project will help meet rising domestic demand for high-quality construction materials and boost export potential, supporting Uzbekistan’s industrial growth.

Uzbekistan’s ambassador met Pakistan’s Health Minister Dr. Mustafa Kamal to advance collaboration in healthcare and related fields. Dr. Kamal hailed the «deep, brotherly» ties and affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work with Uzbekistan across the sector.

Both sides agreed to:

Dr. Kamal said the countries will work together to improve public health outcomes...

Uzbekistan and Japan agreed to expand cooperation in sericulture, agriculture and innovation after talks between Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Ilzat Kasimov and Yoshitsugu Minagawa, Director for Agriculture and Regional Development at Japan’s Silk Road Foundation and former Japanese deputy agriculture minister.

Plans include joint projects, scientific and technology exchanges, and introducing advanced Japanese agri-tech in Uzbekistan. The sides also discussed education programs, innovation clusters and new research centers. Tashkent invited Japanese partners to join the «Japan–Central Asia» Summit set for late 2025, with sericulture projects to be showcased.

Bilateral trade has grown 54% over the past...

The World Bank has approved an $800 Mln concessional loan to support Uzbekistan’s structural reforms aimed at cutting poverty, creating jobs and boosting private-sector growth.

The package funds policies to shield low-income households from higher energy tariffs, including raising annual cash transfers per family from UZS 270K to UZS 1 Mln, and expands social services and workplace protections for women. It also opens social service provision to private and NGO providers.

Economic measures include a National Investment Fund to manage and privatize state firms, an independent telecom regulator to spur competition, agricultural risk insurance and liberalised cotton pricing so...

FIFA says ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup have passed 1 Mln, underscoring huge demand for the first 48-team tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Fans from 212 countries have bought seats, led by the three hosts, with strong interest from England and Germany.

FIFA’s resale platform lists final tickets at $9,538–$57,500, while at least 40 matches still have seats from $60. The next sales phase opens Oct 27, when single-match tickets for all 104 games go on sale.

So far 28 nations have qualified, including nine from Africa and New Zealand from Oceania. Matches will...

A new multimodal transport route has been launched from Kashgar in China towards Central Asian countries, Anadolu Ajansı reports.

The route will connect China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, creating new opportunities for freight movement and expanding trade across the region.

According to the agency, seven trucks departed on October 15 along this corridor, with arrivals expected in Uzbekistan on October 21 and in Turkmenistan on October 24. Some of the cargo will continue onward to Azerbaijan.

Representatives from China’s Ministry of Transport said the initiative would strengthen economic cooperation among the participating countries and boost the volume of mutual...

The Indonesian Football Federation is assessing several candidates for the position of head coach of its national football team, with Uzbekistan’s Timur Kapadze reportedly on the shortlist, Goal Media reports.

Joining him are German coach Thomas Doll, who previously managed Jakarta club Persija, and Spain’s Jesús Casas, former head coach of Iraq’s national side. A final decision on the appointment is expected in the coming days.

Indonesia has been without a head coach since Dutch manager Patrick Kluivert ended his contract by mutual agreement. Kluivert, who took charge earlier this year, failed to deliver satisfactory results.

The team’s recent...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will travel to Brussels on October 24, where Uzbekistan and the European Union are expected to sign an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

«The agreement underlines the commitment of both sides to continue reforms, economic modernisation and global cooperation, while setting the stage for further initiatives such as the upcoming EU–Central Asia Investment Forum in Tashkent this November,» Euronews highlights.

The document is designed to strengthen political dialogue and expand cooperation in foreign policy, security and justice, with a focus on improving trade conditions. It also includes collaboration in energy, transport...

U.S. Southern Command chief Admiral Alvin Holsey will step down at year’s end, two years ahead of schedule, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced, a surprise move as Washington escalates a standoff with Venezuela. Holsey said on X he will retire on Dec. 12 after 37 years of service, without giving a reason.

A source told Reuters Holsey and Hegseth had clashed over Caribbean operations. The departure follows a regional military buildup that includes guided-missile destroyers, F-35s and about 6,500 troops, and U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats off Venezuela that have killed at least 27 people, drawing legal scrutiny. President...

The Cincinnati Bengals snapped their three-game losing streak with a 31-30 home victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock in a contest that went down to the final seconds.

Rodgers opened strong for the Steelers, finding Jonnu Smith for an early touchdown. But Flacco soon answered, connecting with Ja’Marr Chase and later Tee Higgins to give Cincinnati a 17-10 lead at half-time, aided by two Rodgers interceptions.

The second half saw a flurry of scores as both sides traded touchdowns. Rodgers hit Pat Freiermuth for a 68-yard strike to...

Brazilian YouTuber Júlio Cocielo announced on Thursday, October 16, that he and influencer and presenter Tata Estaniecki have decided to end their marriage. The news was shared through a post on social media, where Cocielo confirmed the separation and asked fans to respect their privacy during this period.

«No one gets married expecting something like this to happen. Of course, it hurts, but sometimes things just happen unexpectedly and without reason,» he wrote. «Maybe it’s just a pause, maybe it’s something that will make us stronger – we don’t know. One day it might all make...

Paul Daniel «Ace» Frehley, the founding guitarist of Kiss and one of rock music’s most influential performers, has died aged 74 following injuries sustained in a fall last month, his family confirmed in a statement.

«We are completely devastated and heartbroken,» his family wrote. «In his final moments, we surrounded him with love, peace, prayers and kind thoughts as he left this world. We will forever cherish his laughter, his generosity and all the wonderful memories he gave us. The magnitude of his passing is beyond comprehension. Ace’s legacy and all that he achieved in...

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the highest-paid footballer in the world, according to Forbes, leading a top ten group whose combined annual earnings reach $945 mln. Despite being 40 and in the twilight of his legendary career, the Portuguese star still dominates both on and off the pitch.

Ronaldo, who extended his contract with Saudi club Al Nassr for another two years, is expected to earn $230 mln on the field during the 2025/26 season, including bonuses and commercial incentives. Forbes estimates his total annual income at $280 mln when off-field deals with Nike, Binance, and Herbalife...