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The tafs uz editorial desk is responsible for the website’s publications in English, Uzbek and Russian. Every story has a persistent byline. Our author directory explains the topic bylines. Original publications and saved revision history are retained for editorial staff.

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Technology

Flock CEO said the company's microphones detect 'only gunshots,' though the website describes broader capabilities

At TechCrunch Disrupt, Flock head Garret Langley claimed that the Gunshot Detection system's microphones only pick up gunshots. However, materials on the company's website mention detection of fireworks, street takeovers, and crashes. A Flock representative confirmed the contradiction, and criticism of the product is intensifying amid growing distrust of mass surveillance.

Sardor Qodirov
2 min read
Technology

Google opens broad access to flagship AI model Gemini 4 Argon

Google announced broad access to the Gemini 4 Argon model, first introduced in late September. From October 13, the model is available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, via API and in AI Studio. The current API price is $2 per million input and $10 per million output tokens; from December 1 it will rise to $4 and $20.

Sardor Qodirov
2 min read
World

Zelensky accused the US of 'betraying' Ukraine and refused to resign

Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that the US is betraying Ukraine, and Trump's advisers are 'choosing the wrong side of history.' He stressed that Kyiv does not consider capitulation or surrendering territories, and said he does not intend to resign, citing a sense of responsibility.

Otabek Yusupov
2 min read
Uzbekistan

Tashkent plans to create 126,000 school and 40,000 preschool places by 2030

On October 15, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation of projects for building schools and kindergartens in Tashkent. The shortage of student places in the 2025/2026 academic year was 141,000, and 65,000 places in kindergartens. By 2030, 126,000 school places are planned (48,000 from the republican and 78,000 from the local budget) and 40,000 kindergarten places (8,000 and 32,000 respectively). The school occupancy coefficient is expected to fall from 1.4 to 1.2, and preschool enrollment coverage to rise from 79.2% to 92%.

Sevara Mirzayeva
3 min read
World

Elon Musk called on Zelensky to resign

SpaceX head Elon Musk said on the social network X that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 'should step aside.' The statement came after Zelensky said in an interview with Piers Morgan that he did not want to sell his country. Earlier, Donald Trump also spoke about the need for elections in Ukraine.

Aziz Karimov
1 min read
World

Tashkent Dismantles Fraudulent Call Center That Stole $8 Million via Bank Impersonation Calls

The State Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan reported the dismantling in Tashkent of a criminal group that set up a fake call center with GSM gateways. The fraudsters called citizens posing as bank employees, extracted personal data, stole money from cards, and took out online loans in victims' names. Total damage — $8 million, funneled abroad in cryptocurrency through a front company. Among those detained was an employee of the cybersecurity department of a major bank.

Aziz Karimov
2 min read
Technology

Intero Biosystems offers pharma companies to test drugs on mini-guts instead of animals

Denver startup Intero Biosystems, spun out of the University of Michigan, grows human gut organoids and sells them to pharma, biotech, food and chemical companies for testing compounds. The flagship product GastroScreen — organoids about 1 mm in size, shipped roughly 100 per tube. The company was founded in 2024, raised $2.3 million pre-seed and generated more than $400 thousand in revenue from the fourth quarter of last year through the third quarter of this year.

Sardor Qodirov
4 min read
Economy

Uzbekistan to receive $200 million from the Asian Development Bank to modernize 60 electrical substations

Uzbekistan and the ADB signed a $200 million loan agreement to modernize electricity distribution networks: upgrading 60 substations, digital management systems, reducing losses and emissions, and integrating at least 3.3 GW of renewable energy. The project became the ADB's first energy project under the mutual reliance mechanism with the World Bank. Later in October, the World Bank will consider additional financing of $100 million.

Dilnoza Rahimova
2 min read
World

Ecology Committee preparing lawsuit against Tashkent region water utility over pollution of the Chirchiq river

An Eco Police inspection of the Chirchiq city wastewater treatment plant showed that the facility was accepting wastewater from textile and chemical enterprises containing dyes, while treatment efficiency dropped to 27.7%. Wastewater from Gazalkent was discharged directly into the river. The Ecology Committee has assessed compensation payments and is preparing a lawsuit for the economic court.

Aziz Karimov
2 min read
Economy

In Uzbekistan, nearly 800,000 citizens had unjustified utility debts recalculated totaling 22 billion sums

The Committee for Competition Development reported that following inspections, nearly 800,000 citizens of Uzbekistan had their unjustified utility debts recalculated, amounting to approximately 22 billion sums. Charges were applied, in particular, for waste removal during periods when residents were temporarily absent. The Committee proposed integrating billing systems with migration registration databases and introducing monthly recalculations for subscribers abroad.

Dilnoza Rahimova
2 min read
World

Uzbekistan’s Consulate General in Istanbul Warned Citizens about Deteriorating Weather in Turkey

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul urged citizens residing or temporarily staying in the provinces of Istanbul, Yalova and Kocaeli to exercise caution due to an expected sharp deterioration in the weather. Due to heavy downpours, Istanbul authorities imposed administrative restrictions: classes in schools were suspended, certain categories of civil servants were granted leave, and the movement of two-wheeled transport was banned after 21:00.

Aziz Karimov
2 min read
World

King Charles III opens new Senedd session and meets Plaid Cymru first minister for the first time

King Charles III and Queen Camilla officially opened the seventh term of the Welsh parliament in Cardiff. This was the king's first official meeting with First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth following Plaid Cymru's victory in the May elections. In his speech, the king noted the Welsh 'sense of belonging' and expressed concern about climate change. The ceremony was accompanied by protests, and the National Poet of Wales withdrew from performing after her poem was rejected.

Otabek Yusupov
4 min read
World

Uzbekistan’s Consulate General in Istanbul Warned Citizens About Worsening Weather in Three Turkish Provinces

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul warned citizens living or temporarily staying in the provinces of Istanbul, Yalova and Kocaeli about worsening weather conditions. According to the diplomatic mission, heavy rains and wind may cause flooding, complicate road traffic and lead to other emergencies. Citizens were advised not to make long trips unless necessary, to avoid low-lying areas, underpasses and tunnels, and to be careful near the coast, trees and power lines.

Otabek Yusupov
1 min read
World

Uzbekistan Appoints Its First Permanent Representative to the African Union

Ashraf Khodjaev, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Qatar, South Africa and Ethiopia, has become the country's first permanent representative to the African Union. On October 14, he presented his credentials to AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The sides discussed developing cooperation in culture, economy and humanitarian interaction.

Aziz Karimov
2 min read