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The Norwegian government announced it is finalizing a bill banning social media for children under 16. The restrictions will also cover potentially harmful online games and messengers, likely including TikTok, Snapchat and Roblox. The bill is to be submitted to parliament by the end of the year, with age verification responsibility placed on tech companies.
Aziz KarimovOn October 19, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio took part in C5+1 format events in Samarkand and held bilateral talks with the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries. He also visited the 'Eternal City' complex in the Silk Road Samarkand tourist cluster.
Aziz KarimovThe UK's national weather service has issued a yellow warning for severe weather on Friday for south-west England and Wales. Wind gusts of 50–60 mph are expected, reaching up to 70 mph in exposed places. Next week, rain is forecast across the country, including drought-affected regions, but the rainfall totals depend on the storm's track.
Aziz KarimovIPCC talks in Addis Ababa broke up without consensus on the timeline for the next report. Most countries want the report by the 2028 UN climate summit, but Saudi Arabia, India and China propose postponing it to 2029. IPCC Chair Jim Skea promised to reconvene the session at the earliest opportunity.
Aziz KarimovSlovakia and Hungary called on the European Commission to show flexibility in phasing out Russian gas, citing their lack of sea access and dependence on existing supply routes. Supplies must end in 2027. The V4 countries are seeking recognition of regional needs in the allocation of EU funds and a postponement of the second phase of ETS2 to 2030.
Aziz KarimovThe European Commission is working on measures, including activating the blocking statute, to protect the International Criminal Court after the US announced sanctions. No official decision on timing has been made yet.
Aziz KarimovAfter a weekend of riots in France, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered prefects to impose 'partial and strictly local' curfews; restrictions have been in effect since Monday evening in Paris, Lille and Lyon. More than 2,500 people have been detained and thousands of shops damaged. Macron rejected the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who admitted losing control in a number of cities.
Aziz KarimovSudan's army said it repelled a ground attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their ally, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, in the Al-Baraka area of Blue Nile state, and also intercepted a drone attack east of Khartoum. No comment came from the RSF or SPLN.
Aziz KarimovOver the weekend, protests against the housing crisis took place in Lisbon's Rossio Square: participants pitched tents and spent the night on the square, demanding action from the government. Demonstrators, including students, complained about rising rents. According to 49-year-old Ivan Silva, an apartment that cost €180 in 2015 is now beyond his means.
Aziz KarimovUN Secretary-General António Guterres held a working meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on October 19. The parties discussed reform of the multilateral system, the UN 2030 Agenda and regional crises, including the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Guterres called Indonesia a 'pillar of multilateralism' and thanked it for its contribution to UN peacekeeping missions.
Aziz KarimovPrime Minister Mikhail Mishustin submitted nominations for five government posts to the State Duma following the September parliamentary elections. The proposed appointments include deputy prime ministers, the head of the government staff, and a new transport minister. Under the Constitution, the State Duma must approve the nominations.
Aziz KarimovLebanese President Joseph Aoun, meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy, said Israel is not complying with the framework agreement of June 26 and that daily violations continue in the south of the country. Lebanon, he said, remains committed to a diplomatic solution. The Arab League confirmed its support for Lebanon's sovereignty.
Aziz KarimovUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on October 19 in Samarkand that the Donald Trump administration supports repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment, which still applies to four of the five Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan. According to him, there are influential supporters of repeal in Congress, but the issue has not yet come up for consideration. Experts note that the amendment does not block trade, but makes the trade regime conditional and subject to annual review.
Aziz KarimovUS President Donald Trump on Monday accused Fox News of devoting too much airtime to defending Democrats and their views, called the channel's editorial approach 'ridiculous,' and urged supporters to watch his rally in Kansas via Right Side Broadcasting Network.
Aziz KarimovDue to delays in administering the UK civil service pension scheme, transferred to Capita in December 2025, bereaved families risk losing the tax-free status of lump-sum death benefits. Under HMRC rules, the payment must be made within two years of the scheme being notified of the death. The chair of a parliamentary committee called the situation 'unacceptable', the Cabinet Office points to compensation mechanisms, but the ombudsman takes up to 18 months to consider complaints.
Aziz KarimovUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on the Registan Square in Samarkand, noting the city's historic role in world trade. According to him, the US is interested in expanding cooperation not only with Uzbekistan but with all Central Asian countries. The negotiations involve representatives of nearly 300 American companies, and agreements worth billions of dollars are being discussed. Meetings in the 'C5+1' format are planned.
Aziz KarimovPrime Minister Andy Burnham visited the memorial garden in Aberfan alongside survivor Jeff Edwards and Wales Minister Stephen Kinnock. On 21 October 1966, a coal tip landslide buried a school, killing 116 children and 28 adults. Burnham said Aberfan 'was not properly supported by the authorities' and announced the allocation of around £140 million for tip safety.
Aziz KarimovAI-generated intimate images of Queen Mathilde, Crown Princess Elisabeth, and several Belgian politicians are circulating on social media. Ludvine De Conde intends to file a complaint, and the palace is seeking the removal of the images. The EU is preparing a ban on such systems under the AI Act.
Aziz Karimov
