Otabek Yusupov — tafs uz coverage of world. News, key facts and context in English, Uzbek and Russian.
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On Monday, students of the Louvre School blocked the museum's entrances, disrupting its 9:00 opening. The action was held in support of the high school student movement and against
Otabek YusupovKremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the 'absurd accusations' of Russia's involvement in unrest in Europe are taken seriously by no one, including Europe itself. Mass protests took place in Paris and other French cities on October 17, and in a number of places they escalated into riots. Peskov also announced a government reshuffle initiated by Mikhail Mishustin, Modi's visit in 2027, and Putin's December press conference.
Otabek YusupovIn Bukhara, a driver of a Malibu 2 accelerated to 201 km/h on a section with a 60 km/h limit, having first removed the state license plates and placed them inside the cabin. A passenger filmed the ride and posted the video on social media. Officers of the regional Road Traffic Safety Department (UBDD) identified the driver and the vehicle; the offender admitted guilt and expressed regret. Protocols were drawn up under Part 4 of Article 128-3 and Part 5 of Article 125 of the Administrative Code of Uzbekistan, and the car was sent to an impound lot.
Otabek YusupovThe Muslim religious administrations of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have announced preliminary dates for Ramadan 2027: the fast, as expected, will begin on February 8. According to Kazakhstan's approved calendar, Ramadan Ait will fall on March 9, Laylat al-Qadr on the night of March 5 to 6, and Kurban Ait on May 16–18. Final dates will be announced closer to the start of the month.
Otabek YusupovAccording to a Gallup survey conducted for Lloyd's Register Foundation, covering more than 143,000 interviews in 140 countries, the Persian Gulf countries showed the best disaster resilience results in the region: Kuwait — 74 points, Bahrain — 72, Oman and the UAE — 70 each, with the global average at 57. Lebanon (48), Iraq (49) and Palestine (52) fell below the global average. North Africa showed the largest regional increase — up five points since 2023.
Otabek YusupovUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with the head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva, visited Registan Square in Samarkand. Rubio noted Samarkand's centuries-old role as a center of international trade, Uzbekistan's high GDP growth rates (almost 8% per year), and growing tourist interest in the country. Mirziyoyeva emphasized the symbolic nature of the fact that the first visit of the head of American diplomacy to Uzbekistan begins precisely in Samarkand. According to Daryo.uz, Rubio also said that possible dates for Donald Trump's visit to Uzbekistan next year are planned to be considered.
Otabek YusupovAccording to an official of the Plateau State tuberculosis control program, the estimated disease burden in 2026 is about 11,000 cases, of which 2,047 patients were detected and started treatment between July and September. Stigma, insecurity, population displacement and drug supply disruptions were named as complicating factors.
Otabek YusupovEU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova told Euronews that since late August Kyiv has turned into 'a real frontline city': strikes are disrupting everyday life ahead of winter. According to her, the EU provides about three quarters of financial aid to Ukraine, does not intend to weaken sanctions, and supports Kaja Kallas' position that strikes on oil refineries constitute legitimate self-defence. EU accession talks are progressing: four of six clusters have been opened.
Otabek YusupovA Florida circuit court judge signed an arrest warrant for 95-year-old former Cuban president Raul Castro on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the February 24, 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue planes, in which four people died. This is the second warrant: in May, Castro was charged federally. Havana claimed the planes violated its airspace; the US said they were flying over international waters.
Otabek YusupovOn Saturday, during nationwide protests against the rising cost of living and conditions in schools, the 19th-century Limoges city hall building burned down: the roof collapsed and the building was practically destroyed. In several cities, other town halls were attacked and set on fire. Almost 2,400 people were detained, and about a thousand police officers and gendarmes were injured. Authorities estimate attendance at 550,000, organizers at 800,000. Macron blamed far-left activists in part for the violence.
Otabek YusupovThe Brazilian government reported that Amazon deforestation from August 2025 to July 2026 totaled 3,335 sq. km — the lowest since 1988 and 41.8% less than the previous year. The success is linked to the renewed PPCDAm plan under Lula. However, fires tripled after the first round of elections, NASA scientists warn of underreported data, and the outcome of the second round on October 25 between Flavio Bolsonaro and Lula may determine the future of environmental policy.
Otabek YusupovOn October 19 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held the first meeting of the Expanded Strategic Partnership Dialogue. They discussed trade, investment, energy, critical minerals, technology, education and security. Following the talks, the sides signed the Artemis Accords on the peaceful exploration of space — Uzbekistan became the 77th signatory state.
Otabek YusupovThe award ceremony took place on October 15 at FAO headquarters in Rome. Masturakhon Sayfutdinova was recognized for her contribution to delivering agricultural products and introducing innovations, as well as for establishing a pomegranate producers association and creating educational materials. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu personally presented the award to the representative of Uzbekistan.
Otabek YusupovAnti-government protests in Tirana continue for a sixth day over poor conditions at universities, high tuition fees and corruption. Police used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets; according to the health ministry, 272 people have been injured since Tuesday, including 169 police officers. Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected demands to resign, calling the protests 'the work of a foreign hand'.
Otabek YusupovUkraine's State Emergency Service reported one killed and eight wounded as a result of a nighttime ballistic missile strike on Kyiv. At least three districts of the city were affected, including damage to a metro station in the Desnianskyi district. Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed a massive strike and claimed the interception of 149 Ukrainian drones.
Otabek YusupovSultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik has flown to the United Kingdom on a four-day state visit at the invitation of King Charles III. The visit at Windsor Castle will take place from 20 to 22 October and will be the first state visit by an Omani ruler to the UK since 1982.
Otabek YusupovUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Samarkand where he arrived on October 18 for the 'C5+1' summit with a delegation of more than 200 businesspeople, stated that the administration of Donald Trump wants to organize a presidential visit to Uzbekistan. According to Zamon.uz, the visit may be scheduled for 2027. Rubio emphasized that bilateral relations are developing on the basis of economic opportunities, and acknowledged that Central Asia has been under-attended in US foreign policy for the past 20 years.
Otabek YusupovBritish far-right activist Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) has begun a five-day trial at Southwark Crown Court on two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against MailOnline journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. The prosecution says he intimidated reporters with posts on X and phone calls after articles were published about his holiday in Cyprus; the defence, according to the BBC, will argue family protection. Robinson has pleaded not guilty.
Otabek Yusupov
