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Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Astana on October 17 — the first visit of a Cambodian prime minister to Kazakhstan. The sides discussed bilateral cooperation, adopted a joint statement, and exchanged six documents on digital government, trade, culture, tourism, and sister-city ties between Astana and Phnom Penh.
Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (world No. 26) defeated tournament top seed Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinal of the Shanghai Masters and advanced to the final, where he will play either Daniil Medvedev or Rafael Jodar.
Lord Ricketts told the BBC that the UK should spend more on defence and infrastructure resilience as Russia's hybrid attacks become 'more reckless'. His remarks came after the MI5 chief's speech about a fourfold rise in state threats over a decade.
Over the past 10 years, Uzbekistan's trade turnover with Central Asian countries grew from $2.5 billion to almost $8.5 billion, while the region's mutual trade turnover reached almost $11 billion. Economist Javlon Vahobov believes that the Fergana Valley, with a population of about 18 million, is not only a consumer market but also a base for industrial cooperation: Andijan — machine building, Namangan — light industry, Fergana — chemistry, Tajikistan's Sughd Region — metallurgy.
The building of the State Museum of Literature named after Alisher Navoi in Tashkent has been transferred free of charge to the Uzbek State Youth Theatre under operational management by a Cabinet of Ministers resolution dated 29 September 2026. Construction of a new building for the museum is planned in Yangi Tashkent, but it is not yet ready. Museum staff are concerned about the fate of manuscripts, wall artworks and research activities; part of the collections has already been transferred to the Center of Islamic Civilization, and the rest is planned to be relocated.
Social media reports claimed the building of the Alisher Navoi State Museum of Literature had allegedly been secretly transferred to another organization and that the heritage site faced risk of damage. On October 16, Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage Agency said it had conducted a review: the building at 69 Navoi Street is listed in the national register of cultural heritage sites and was transferred to the State Youth Theatre under operational management by government decision.
According to Syria's state agency SANA, Israeli forces entered the Wadi al-Rukkad area in the western countryside of Deraa province on Saturday, while Israeli reconnaissance planes flew over the western part of the Yarmouk basin. No attacks or detentions were reported. The day before, Israeli forces had entered Quneitra province and encircled the town of Abidin.
In the village of Shapury in the Vitebsk district, at a mass burial site where about 18,000 Soviet soldiers are buried, including 729 natives of Uzbekistan, a monument was solemnly unveiled to those who died during the liberation of Vitebsk. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the authorities of Belarus and Uzbekistan. The report cites BelTA.
Iranian exports to Pakistan have been 'temporarily' halted due to sanctions against Iran's banking system, said Peyman Sanandaji, head of the transport commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce. Imports from Pakistan continue, and the land border remains open.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said a second supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of oil hit a mine and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was traveling along an 'unauthorized' route with its positioning systems switched off. Data on the ship, crew and consequences have not been disclosed.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad, met with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Iran and Iraq, and was also received by the President of Iraq. Turkey handed over the Council chairmanship to Iraq.
On Saturday, France saw nationwide 'yellow and youth' protests against the cost of living, organised by the 'yellow vests' movement. According to the Interior Ministry, more than 32,000 people took part in around 140 events outside Paris, and over 160 were detained. In Marseille, protesters stormed the city hall; in Paris, police used tear gas and water cannon. The protests come months before the presidential election.
India's Supreme Court ruled that the right to access and use the internet is fundamental for every person, including children of any age. The decision was issued on a petition by an NGO about shortcomings in intermediaries' fight against child sexual exploitation material. The court ordered the government to create a national hash and URL database for detecting such content and to include digital safety in the school curriculum.
Governor of Syria's Quneitra province Ghassan al-Sayed Ahmad, at a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, asked UNDOF forces to monitor and document Israeli violations. The meeting covered the situation in the province, UNDOF's mandate, and the impact of violations on residents. According to the UN, Israeli troops hold 11 positions on the Syrian side of the buffer zone.
At a concert at Madison Square Garden, on the second anniversary of Liam Payne's death, Harry Styles debuted the previously unreleased song What Is Enough and addressed the audience with a speech about friendship and mutual support.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said he does not expect Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Budapest for the celebrations on October 23 marking the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, although an invitation was sent. Earlier, the sides agreed to continue contacts, including a possible joint trip to Berehove.
On Saturday, protests against the rising cost of life took place in France, uniting 'yellow vests', schoolchildren, students, farmers, trade unions and climate activists. According to the authorities, at least 272 people were detained, including 163 in Paris. Clashes with police occurred in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and other cities; about 500 actions were planned in total.
Recovery driver Sean Baker was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison suspended for one year for failing to secure a two-tonne Range Rover on a steep slope. The vehicle rolled, pinning Baker himself and passer-by Kai Dransfield, who tried to help. The victim suffered fractures to his legs and spine and, more than two years later, still suffers from chronic pain.
