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Otabek Yusupov
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Otabek Yusupov

Otabek Yusupov — tafs uz coverage of world. News, key facts and context in English, Uzbek and Russian.

Editorial pseudonym. These names are tafs uz editorial pseudonyms. Portraits are illustrations; profiles identify the publication’s topic bylines rather than individual journalists’ biographies. The tafs uz editorial desk is responsible for the publications.

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Uzbekistan Tightens Administrative Liability for Begging

Uzbekistan has increased fines for begging and for involving others in it. The changes were introduced by a law aimed at protecting children from all forms of violence. The fine for begging in public places has risen from 1–3 to 3–5 BRV, and for involving minors, the elderly and vulnerable persons — from 5–10 to 10–15 BRV. In both cases, administrative arrest of up to 15 days remains possible.

2 min read

Kallas: Russia miscalculated by negotiating only with the US; Zelensky resumes strikes on oil refineries

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Euronews that Russia made a mistake by trying to force Ukraine into capitulation through a deal with the US after the Anchorage summit, called Trump's diesel deal a 'gift to Putin,' and described Kyiv's strikes on refineries as self-defense. Zelensky told the FT that strikes on refineries have resumed, accusing Washington of suspending intelligence sharing and of Starlink disruptions. The Kremlin doubted the existence of an energy truce.

4 min read

Bulgarian PM Rumen Radev backs Trump-Putin diesel deal, breaking with EU position

At the EU summit, Bulgarian leader Rumen Radev backed the deal on Russian diesel supplies agreed by Trump and Putin despite Western sanctions, citing high fuel prices in Europe. Other EU leaders condemned the agreement: Kaja Kallas called it a "gift for Putin," and Ulf Kristersson — a step in the wrong direction. Radev also criticized Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries.

3 min read

FSB Detains a Swedish Citizen in Pskov Region and a Japanese Journalist on Sakhalin

Russian authorities reported the arrest of a 35-year-old Swede accused of illegally crossing the border and preparing attacks on military facilities, as well as the detention of Hokkaido Shimbun journalist Yuki Imai on suspicion of espionage. Tokyo lodged a protest, and Sweden confirmed awareness without comment. Observers link the detentions to the 'exchange fund' practice mentioned by Dmitry Medvedev.

4 min read

Reform UK under fire: ITV hidden camera footage reveals racist remarks by party councillors and candidates

ITV News' investigation 'Undercover: A Year in Reform', based on a year of hidden camera filming, recorded racist, sexist and aggressive remarks by a number of Reform UK councillors and candidates. The party said investigations and suspensions have begun, while opposition parties demanded Nigel Farage acknowledge the problem is systemic.

4 min read

UK threatens Eritrea with visa sanctions over refusal to take back migrants

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood threatened a full entry ban on Eritreans if Asmara does not start taking back migrants and foreign criminals. From Thursday, Eritrean diplomats will be restricted in movement outside London. Asmara called the move a 'political trick' and said it had not received a single visa since 2023, which the Home Office denies.

4 min read

Ukraine reported a Starlink speed restriction that disrupted drone operations at the front

Zelensky's adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said SpaceX imposed a speed limit on Starlink terminals — about 160 km/h — overnight without warning Kyiv, disrupting interceptor and strike drone operations. Musk said Starshield is controlled by the US government. The restrictions coincided with massive Russian strikes that left 600,000 people without electricity and with a deterioration of Kyiv–Washington relations.

4 min read

Top U.S. DOJ official orders California to review list of possible noncitizens who received mail ballots

Updated on: October 14, 2026 / 12:50 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — The Justice Department has ordered California to review a list of people who the federal government believes may have received mail-in ballots for the upcoming November election despite not being U.S. citizens, according to a letter reviewed by CBS News. In the Oct. 13 letter, acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter imposed a 48-hour deadline to review the list of names, which were provided on a password-protected thumb

4 min read

Container ship sinks in Strait of Hormuz as Iran steps up attacks

A container ship sank in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday as Iran escalated its attacks on commercial vessels. The GFS Pride, registered in Singapore, sank after it was struck by an unidentified projectile and caught fire. The ship's 21 crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore . "Such attacks are unprovoked, unjustifiable and a breach of international law," the Singapore maritime authority said in a statement W

2 min read

Federal judge grants preliminary injunction continuing to block Trump's White House media ban

Trump had tried to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. A federal judge continued to block the Trump administration's move to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly's preliminary injunction orders the defendants to continue to preserve the status quo while the case proceeds. The preliminary injunction was sought by the media organizations. It follows a temporary restraining order the same judge issued last month blocking Trump's att

3 min read

Tour operators report no incidents involving Russian tourists in Mauritius amid unrest

The Russian Union of Travel Industry says the situation in Mauritius's resort areas remains calm and no incidents involving Russian tourists have been recorded amid ongoing unrest. Tourists stay in hotels during the curfew, which has been extended until 05:00 on October 15. Around 1,000-1,100 Russian tourists may be on the island; there are no direct flights between Russia and Mauritius. The protests followed a police officer shooting a 27-year-old woman.

2 min read

Rapper Navai detained in Kazakhstan on suspicion of drug smuggling

Singer Navai (Navai Bakirov) was detained in Kazakhstan's Zhambyl region on suspicion of drug smuggling. He was detained on October 13 at the Korday border crossing while entering Kazakhstan; a narcotic substance was found during a search of his car. A criminal case has been opened and the suspect placed in a temporary detention facility. The Russian rapper of Azerbaijani origin had arrived in Kazakhstan for concerts; his Wednesday evening concert in Astana was canceled for 'technical reasons'.

1 min read

Zelensky visits London: Burnham balances support for Kyiv with relations with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to London took place after Donald Trump's sharp change of course, in which he lifted sanctions on Russian diesel products and called for Zelensky's replacement. Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised Ukraine 'further and faster' assistance, to speed up missile deliveries, and declared Britain's role as a 'bridge' between Kyiv and Washington, while avoiding criticism of Trump.

3 min read

'VIP prison' scandal in Indonesia exposes inequality in Southeast Asian detention facilities

An unannounced inspection by Indonesia's ombudsman found more than 10 luxury apartments with air conditioning, refrigerators and even a golf simulator in Cibinong prison. Five officials were suspended, the prison chief was dismissed on October 5, and 10 unauthorized structures were demolished. DW examines why such scandals recur in the region and whether reforms are possible.

4 min read

Protests in Azerbaijan after the authorities banned wearing hijabs in schools. More than 30 people detained, and users complain about the inaccessibility of Instagram and TikTok — the most popular s

Protests are taking place in Azerbaijan after the authorities banned wearing hijabs in schools. More than 30 people have been detained, and users are complaining about the inaccessibility of Instagram and TikTok — the most popular social networks in the country. Why did the Azerbaijani authorities introduce a 'hijab ban', and what will the protests lead to? Bashir Kitachaev, an independent journalist specializing in the South Caucasus, answers these questions. Listen to and watch the podcast 'What Was That?' on our website, on our Substack page, or on your favorite platform.

1 min read