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In the first half of 2026, 5,422 people left Uzbekistan for permanent residence abroad - 2.3% fewer than in the same period of 2025, almost 40% below the 2023 level and slightly above the 2024 figure. The article warns against interpreting a single-year indicator without context. Also: subscription announcement for Darakchi Plus for 2026.
Jaume Sanpera, CEO of Spanish satellite operator Sateliot, said Europe needs to “wake up” and avoid becoming dependent on two global blocs. The company recently placed five new satellites of its low Earth orbit communications constellation into orbit.
13-year-old Ehsan Adwan received the award for the best app made by youth — a game for doing homework. The main prize, App of the Year, went to the medication-taking app POP by the Kwelio team. In total, the 2026 competition received 9,754 entries from 153 countries.
The World Cruise Awards have named the best in the cruise industry for the sixth time. The ceremony took place on October 12 in Jamaica. The top prize — the title of the world's best cruise line — went to Norwegian Cruise Line, which beat MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Silversea. Abu Dhabi was named the best destination, even though a number of cruise lines have revised their 2026/27 schedules to bypass Persian Gulf ports due to the crisis in the region.
An assessment published in The Lancet places nuclear conflict and the malicious use of artificial intelligence in the highest category of global threats to humanity by the end of the 21st century. A commission of experts reviewed hundreds of potential threats and identified the 17 most significant risks to human health and survival for 2025–2100, covering 204 countries and territories. Nuclear war is dangerous not only for its immediate destruction and casualties but also for possible global famine from nuclear winter, while malicious AI could facilitate the development of biological weapons. Other serious threats include climate change, air pollution, antibiotic resistance, pandemics, armed conflicts, child malnutrition, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and mental disorders. The researchers measured consequences in lost years of healthy life and stressed that timely measures in healthcare, technology, security, and policy could greatly reduce future damage. The authors note that the probability of nuclear conflict and malicious AI use remains low, though the potential consequences are extremely large.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the identities of 24 servicemen interviewed in the NAZA film to be revealed and called for directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor to be held accountable for 'damage to Israel's diplomatic and defense interests.' The film won an award in Venice and is being screened in more than 50 countries.
Hungary's parliament, by 139 votes to 51, adopted amendments removing anti-LGBTQ+ provisions from the 2021 'child protection' law of the Orbán era. This is the first major rollback of the restrictions since pro-European Prime Minister Péter Magyar came to power in May. The ruling Tisza party passed the law without opposition support; Fidesz voted against. The EU welcomed the decision, but human rights advocates note that many discriminatory provisions remain in place.
As part of the international Mare Nostrum operation, the Portuguese judicial police intercepted a speedboat carrying 3.7 tonnes of cocaine off the coast of the Algarve. The crew failed to comply with the authorities, a collision occurred: one suspect died, two foreign nationals were arrested and will appear before a court in Lisbon.
Leader of Sweden's Social Democrats Magdalena Andersson said she failed to reach agreement with the three parties of the left bloc on forming a government after the 13 September elections. Parliament Speaker Andreas Norlen said the vote on her candidacy will nevertheless take place on Thursday, although, as he admitted, she will likely lose it. The mandate is then expected to go to incumbent Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The government of Baden-Württemberg, in a response to a query from AfD members of the state parliament, reported 358 child marriages since 2012. Only eight have been legally annulled — between 2018 and 2024, including the marriage of an 11-year-old girl from Iraq. The remaining 350 cases ended without judicial annulment. No data on the impact on schoolchildren is collected.
The European Commission disputed the statement by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak that the EU has purchased $320.7 billion worth of Russian energy resources since 2022. According to Eurostat data (COMEXT), payments from March 2022 to July 2026 amounted to €197 billion ($209 billion). US President Donald Trump cited his own figure — $250 billion. The discrepancies reflect competing narratives about the EU's dependence on Russian energy.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever sent a letter to European Council President António Costa proposing a mechanism to suspend new EU laws that are excessively burdensome for businesses. The issue is set to be discussed at the summit in Brussels on Thursday.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said at the Warsaw Security Forum that Europe must multiply its military production, otherwise it will negatively affect future generations. According to him, Russia is already operating in such a mode. According to Estonian intelligence, Russia produced about 7 million munitions in 2025, while the EU and Norway will produce only about 2 million 150 mm shells.
The first Open Asian Cup of Falconry took place at the fifth international Shygys Salburyny festival. Hunters from ten countries participated, with about 15,000 spectators. The winners were Serikbolsyn Zhalgasuly (golden eagles), Zaki Makhmudkhan (hawks) and Temirali Tolegenuly (saker falcons).
King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia arrived in Ceuta on 13 October 2026 — the first royal visit since 2007. The visit follows the July crisis, when more than 70,000 people crossed the border from Morocco. The King called Ceuta and Melilla an 'integral part' of Spain, while stressing the importance of good-neighbourly relations with Rabat.
Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis announced a 30% increase in the heating allowance compared to last year and a direct subsidy on heating oil at the pump. The ministry will present details of the measure on Wednesday. The decision comes amid rising fuel prices in Europe: Germany temporarily cut its excise tax by 17 cents per liter from October 1, and Spain extended its tax discounts — both measures remain in effect until the end of December.
Drinking water supply will be temporarily suspended in the Uchtepa and Shaykhantahur districts of Tashkent from 09:00 on October 14 until 15:00 on October 15 due to repairs of a 300 mm main water pipeline on the section from Ipakchilik street to Faziltepa street. In the Uchtepa district, 15 mahallas will be affected, including Degrez, Bogichinor, Bekabad, Koryogdi, Khondamir, Nishabariq, Sharq Yulduzi, Shofaizbog, Pakhtakor, Kukcha Oktepa, Jurjoni, Abdulla Qodiri, Beshkayragach, Khayratiy and Davlatabad. In the Shaykhantahur district, 9 mahallas will be affected: Kukcha, Zafarobod, Khuvaydo, Buston, Ipakchi, Eski Jarariq, Shofaiz, Uzbekiston and Beltepa. Residents are asked to stock up on drinking water in advance; after the work is completed, water supply should be restored.
In Tashkent, two men were detained while receiving a parcel from China containing almost 25 kg of pregabalin. The operation was conducted by State Security Service officers together with the anti-smuggling unit of the Tashkent-AERO customs complex. A criminal case has been opened under Part 1 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code; the detainees are in custody.
