← Authors
Otabek Yusupov
tafs uz · World

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.

Publisher · tafs uz →
News

Articles by this author

570 stories

Rutte urged NATO allies to strengthen Ukraine's air defense amid tensions between Kyiv and Washington

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, at a press conference in Tallinn, called on alliance members to step up military aid to Ukraine, primarily air defense systems, as Russia attacks Kyiv daily with hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles. More than 600,000 people in Ukraine were left without electricity after the strikes. Rutte's meeting with Zelensky in Brussels will take place amid tensions between the US and Ukraine over strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure and Trump's threat to limit intelligence sharing.

2 min read

Russia strikes Kyiv and Ukraine's energy infrastructure overnight on October 14; four killed, at least 600,000 left without electricity

Russia struck Kyiv and Ukraine's energy infrastructure overnight on October 14. Four people were killed in the capital and more than 25 were injured. At least 600,000 people were left without electricity. Three days before the attack, US President Donald Trump announced an "energy truce" between the sides. Kyiv said it was ready to observe it reciprocally; Moscow did not confirm its participation. Russia's Ministry of Defense said it carried out a massive strike on the communications and energy infrastructure of Kyiv, the Kyiv region and the Kharkiv region.

1 min read

Latvia's PM says banning Russian grain transit is impossible

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated that Latvia cannot fully ban the transit of Russian grain, as the EU holds exclusive powers over tariffs and transit. Riga also cannot raise railway infrastructure fees by 300%. Latvia has contractual obligations to transport 300,000 tonnes of Russian grain, which is not under sanctions and belongs to Latvia's strategic partners — the USA, Switzerland and Japan. A transit ban could expose Latvia to lawsuits of 200–800 million euros. Kulbergs will raise the issue in Brussels.

2 min read

ICJ judge Navi Pillay wins Nobel peace prize for promoting international law

The Nobel peace prize has been awarded to Navi Pillay, the South African former UN human rights chief who chaired the UN commission that concluded Israel was guilty of genocide in Gaza . The Norwegian Nobel committee said Pillay, who is serving as a judge at the international court of justice (ICJ), has “shown that legal measures can help prevent acts of war and violence”. “Navi Pillay’s commitment to universal legal principles and her firm moral compass are constants in a long career,” the co

6 min read

Naval phase of Russian-Indian exercises to take place in the Sea of Japan

The naval phase of the Russian-Indian cross-service exercise "Indra-2026" will be held in the Sea of Japan on October 16-17. Ships of the joint task force will practice tactical maneuvering, conduct live artillery firing at sea and air targets, carry out an inspection operation, free a conditionally seized ship, and practice repelling attacks by drones and unmanned boats. The opening ceremony at the Pacific Fleet base in Vladivostok was attended by crews of the Russian corvette "Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov" and the Indian Navy frigate "Sahyadri."

1 min read

Controversial vaccine trial touted by RFK Jr gets go-ahead in Guinea-Bissau

A controversial research trial that will withhold hepatitis B vaccines from some African newborns was given approval to move forward this week. It is a central part of the vaccine vision for Robert F Kennedy Jr , the secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a longtime vaccine opponent. At an anti-vaccine conference last month, Kennedy praised the Danish researchers behind the trial and touted US-supported research on hepatitis B in newborns as exemplifying the Trum

7 min read

Holidays remain a priority for Britons, but demand for budget-friendly trips is growing — ABTA report

According to the ABTA Holiday Habits 2026/27 report, 70% of adults in the UK plan to travel abroad in the next 12 months, despite the cost-of-living crisis and geopolitical upheavals. Only 7% are giving up holidays because of prices, but many are saving on accommodation and dining. City breaks have overtaken beach holidays for the first time, while Spain remains the most popular destination.

3 min read

Navoi has a new khokim: Bobir Islomov now heads the city

Bobir Islomov has been appointed khokim of the city of Navoi. Before this appointment, he served as First Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC 'Regional Electric Networks' for the operation of electric networks. The appointment decision was made on October 13, 2026, and approved by the Navoi City Council of People's Deputies, which at the same session dismissed Dilmurod Ergashev from the post of city khokim. Bobir Islomov was born in 1981 in the Navbahor district of the Navoi region. He graduated from the Navoi State Mining Institute in 2003, the Bukhara Technological Institute of Food and Light Industry in 2005, and the Higher School of Business in 2012.

1 min read

58 MEPs urged the European Commission to protect the ICC from US sanctions

Members of the European Parliament sent a letter to Ursula von der Leyen calling for shielding the International Criminal Court from American sanctions, including through the EU blocking statute. The sanctions announced by the Trump administration, after a six-month grace period, could complicate the court's financial operations. Kaja Kallas called the sanctions threat 'unacceptable', but the EU has not yet taken concrete steps.

3 min read

New Hamburg–Munich Night Train to Launch on 23 March 2027

Berlin-based company Nox Mobility has announced the launch of a night train between Hamburg and Munich from 23 March 2027. The route will run three times a week in each direction with stops in Bremen and Augsburg. Passengers will be offered individual Nox Suites modules with reclining seats; private Nox Rooms compartments will only appear from 2029. Tickets start from 65 euros.

2 min read

Student protests in Tirana escalate into riots amid the 'Flamingo Revolution'

Hundreds of students gathered outside Albania's Ministry of Education, demanding better conditions at universities. The protests escalated into clashes: police used tear gas and water cannons, 16 people were detained, and 49 more face criminal charges. The protests merged into the anti-government 'Flamingo Revolution' movement, which demands the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposes a coastal development project linked to Jared Kushner.

1 min read

MEP Lange calls recent EU-China talks a 'good starting point'

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's international trade committee, hopes the EU and China can reach a comprehensive agreement on their trade dispute by March next year. Talks by European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in China showed some progress, but disagreements remain over electric vehicles, rare earth metals and market access.

1 min read

Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed with Cancer

The Holy See's press service announced that Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The Pontiff underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his left lung, and histological examination confirmed an adenocarcinoma. The 71-year-old Pope was operated on at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital; the surgery lasted about 90 minutes without complications. Recovery is expected to take about a week, and all of the Pontiff's meetings have been canceled until October 20.

1 min read