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Agriculture

Kyrgyz farmer Raisa Tologonova named among FAO's 100 outstanding women

Kyrgyz farmer Raisa Tologonova has been included among 100 women recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for their contributions to agriculture and rural communities, the organisation's press service said. She is one of the laureates of the global "100 FAO Heroines" initiative, held in connection with the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026. More than 600 candidates from 131 countries were nominated for the programme.

Kaktus.mediaOctober 18, 2026, 13:45

Society

Uzbekistan Introduces Life Imprisonment for Sexual Violence Against Children

Uzbekistan has tightened criminal liability for sexual violence against children. Under the amended Criminal Code, raping a child under 14 and certain other sexual crimes now carry penalties up to life imprisonment. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law on October 14, and it entered into force on October 15, 2026.

Kaktus.mediaOctober 18, 2026, 13:37

Energy

Power outages in winter: Uzbek grid operator explains planned cuts and preparations

About 35% of electricity consumers in Uzbekistan used more than 200 kWh in August, according to a press conference held on 8 October with the leadership of the Regional Electric Networks. Gazeta reported that the country has 8,344,000 electricity consumers in total, of whom 5,682,000 used up to 200 kWh in August, 1,135,000 used 200-300 kWh and 354,000 used over 300 kWh.

Gazeta.uzOctober 18, 2026, 13:29

Diplomacy

Statements against Azerbaijan are backed by foreign circles, says MP

Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a decision on a uniform school uniform, which some political and public circles in Türkiye have met with discontent. Speaking to Modern.az, Aydin Mirzazada, a member of the Milli Majlis committee on defence, security and anti-corruption, said it is wrong to present statements by individuals against Azerbaijan as the position of the Turkish state.

Modern.azOctober 18, 2026, 13:21

Politics

Mirziyoyev to visit Samarkand on October 18–19

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will visit Samarkand region on Sunday, according to a statement from the head of state's press service. The visit is scheduled for October 18–19.

Gazeta.uzOctober 18, 2026, 13:13

Diplomacy

Ankara wants pragmatism on oil and principles from Baku

In a column for AzerNEWS, Farman Aydin asks whether Ankara regards Baku as an equal sovereign partner or as an ally whose foreign policy should conform to Turkish expectations. The question comes amid controversy over oil exports through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. The author argues that strategic partnerships cannot rely on historical sentiment alone and require mutual respect, consistent principles, and recognition that even close allies retain the right to pursue their own national interests.

AzernewsOctober 18, 2026, 13:05

History & Heritage

Rare manuscript unknown for centuries found in university library

A manuscript held at Tashkent State University’s library, long considered lost, was found to be a major 14th-century encyclopedic source. It is Badriddin Ibrohim’s explanatory dictionary Zafangʻoʻ va jahonpoʻ, known for centuries only from short quotations in later works.

UzAOctober 18, 2026, 12:57

Diplomacy

Rubio says Trump will weigh economic impact of Russia sanctions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump wants to use a 60-day period to assess the economic effects of sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia. Speaking to reporters ahead of his visit to Uzbekistan, Rubio also commented on Trump's signing of a decree providing for the suspension of new sanctions aimed at Russia.

HavadisOctober 18, 2026, 12:48

Society

Vasil Shaykhrazyev urges regional journalists to keep pace with the trend

Vasil Shaykhrazyev, chairman of the Milli Shura of the World Tatar Congress, opened a meeting with regional journalists by thanking them and saying the Congress is ready to help solve problems arising in the regions. He said readership has declined, paper is disappearing and social networks are changing the world. Newspapers, he said, must move forward without falling behind the trend.

IntertatOctober 18, 2026, 12:40

Society

Kazakhstan Launches Official Calculator to Assess Social Wellbeing Category

Kazakhstan has launched an official online calculator that lets residents find out which social wellbeing category their family belongs to and whether it is entitled to state benefits and payments, according to a Tengrinews.kz correspondent. For now, users can calculate their category and verify reliable information through the eGov mobile app.

TengrinewsOctober 18, 2026, 12:32

Turkic World

TDT Secretary General Congratulates Azerbaijan on Restoration of Independence Day

Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (TDT), has congratulated Azerbaijan on Restoration of Independence Day. According to Report.az, he shared the message on his account on the social media platform X.

Report.azOctober 18, 2026, 12:24

Defense & Security

Iranian parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defense minister

Iran's parliament has elected Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as the country's defense minister, according to a report published on 18 October 2026 by Report.az, which cited Tasnim. A total of 237 lawmakers voted in favor of his appointment.

Report.azOctober 18, 2026, 12:16

Diplomacy

Rubio: There are countries we want to visit to strengthen relations

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained the reason for his visit to Uzbekistan and the C5+1 meeting. He spoke to journalists before departing from Joint Base Andrews for Uzbekistan. Asked why he chose to visit Uzbekistan now, amid global crises and instability, Rubio said the timing matched days that were convenient for the leaders of five countries.

Gazeta.uzOctober 18, 2026, 12:08

Economy

Bashkortostan signs 9.2 million ruble internship deal for 65 employers

Bashkortostan, a Russian republic, has concluded a 9.2 million ruble agreement for 65 employers to hold internships. According to the republic’s Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection, the programme is part of the national project “Kadry” (Personnel) and is carried out through personnel centres.

BaşqortostanOctober 18, 2026, 12:00

Culture & Arts

Skopje to host 'Bir Söz Bir Nefes' event

A new event aimed at contributing to cultural and artistic life in Skopje is being prepared to meet art lovers under the title 'Bir Söz Bir Nefes'. The special programme will be held in cooperation between the Yeni Yol Kültür Güzel Sanatlar Derneği, the Yunus Emre Institute Skopje and Harmonius Koor, on Monday, 26 October 2026, at 19:30 at the Albanian Theatre in Skopje.

BirlikOctober 18, 2026, 11:52

Agriculture

Baymak district holds first Ekmekfest for Bread Day

The Baymak district in Bashkortostan, Russia, is known as an agrarian region and makes a significant contribution to the republic's food security. Despite changing weather each year, local farmers harvest abundant crops, lead in kumis production and remain at the forefront of livestock farming.

BaşqortostanOctober 18, 2026, 11:44

Economy

Kyrgyzstan sets 2027 state investment budget at 47.3 billion soms

Kyrgyzstan's Finance Ministry has set the state investment budget for 2027 at 47.3 billion soms, 6% more than in the current year. External financing is expected to total 45.1 billion soms, including 33.5 billion soms in loans and 11.5 billion soms in grants. The budget is projected to rise to 75.8 billion soms in 2028.

AKIpressOctober 18, 2026, 11:36

Economy

Banks and crypto exchanges must tighten monitoring of cross-border transfers in 2026-2028

Commercial banks and virtual asset service providers in Kyrgyzstan must introduce enhanced monitoring of cross-border transactions from the fourth quarter of 2026 through 2028. Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev issued the instruction in Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 653 of September 29.

AKIpressOctober 18, 2026, 11:28

Energy

Uzbekistan's green energy output reaches 9.1 billion kWh

Uzbekistan produced 9.1 billion kWh of green energy in January–August 2026. Over the past four years, the development of this sector has helped save more than 6.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas and prevent the release of over 14.5 million tonnes of harmful gases into the atmosphere.

UzDailyOctober 18, 2026, 11:20

Politics

UBP sets order numbers for candidate ranking vote

The Ulusal Birlik Partisi (UBP) has set the order numbers to be used in its candidate ranking vote, according to a party statement. Savaşan said the numbers were determined under the supervision and oversight of the Central Election Committee.

Gündem KıbrısOctober 18, 2026, 11:12

Technology

Uzel: We will turn Cyprus into a digital hub

Fevzi Uzel, Istanbul representative of the Business People’s Association (İŞAD), outlined the Northern Cyprus Technology Base project on KIBRIS TV’s “Güne Yansıyanlar” programme. He said the base will consist of nine separate facilities combining a data centre, software, cyber security, entrepreneurship and technology, and that the project aims to reverse brain drain.

Kıbrıs GazetesiOctober 18, 2026, 11:04

Diplomacy

Traffic into Samarkand and on several central streets to be restricted October 18-22

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Internal Affairs says traffic into Samarkand and along several central streets will be restricted from time to time due to international events. On October 19-20, the city will host a meeting of foreign ministers from Central Asian countries and the United States in the C5+1 format. On October 21-22, it will host a global summit dedicated to child welfare and the future of children.

Gazeta.uzOctober 18, 2026, 10:55

Diplomacy

Turkish Foreign Ministry congratulates Azerbaijan on Restoration of Independence Day

Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has congratulated Azerbaijan on Restoration of Independence Day. Day.Az reported that the message was published on the ministry's official account on the social network X.

Day.azOctober 18, 2026, 10:47

Culture & Arts

Irada Ayupova on Renat Kharis: a figure distinguished by unconventional views

An international conference, “XX–XXI Century Tatar Literature, Culture and Contemporary Literary Strategies”, was held at the Institute of Philology and Intercultural Communication of Kazan Federal University to mark the 85th anniversary of Tatarstan People's Poet Renat Kharis. Scholars from Russian regions, as well as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries, took part, Intertat reported.

Tatar-informOctober 18, 2026, 10:39