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Diplomacy

Serbia transferred at least €111,700 to three North Macedonian groups backing Vučić

According to an investigation by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), Serbian state institutions transferred at least €111,700 to three associations in North Macedonia. Representatives of these associations openly support Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The funds were distributed through the Diaspora Office under Serbia's Foreign Ministry, mainly for projects on culture, Orthodox faith and the preservation of the Cyrillic alphabet.

BirlikOctober 18, 2026, 07:33

Defense & Security

CIS Defence Ministers Discuss Military Cooperation in Cholpon-Ata

Defence ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States discussed the development of military cooperation at a regular meeting of the Council of Defence Ministers in Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul region, Kyrgyzstan. Uzbekistan's Minister of Defence, Major General Batyr Kudratkhodzhayev, took part. The Uzbek Ministry of Defence reported the meeting.

UzDailyOctober 18, 2026, 07:25

History & Heritage

Restoration of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum Dome Underway in Turkestan

Restoration work is underway on the dome of the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi mausoleum in Turkestan, Khabar 24 reported, citing 24KZ. The dome, which had long been hidden under a protective frame, is now being repaired by specialists, who are restoring its unique glazed tile cladding. The main goal is to fully preserve the original architectural appearance of the ancient structure.

Khabar 24October 18, 2026, 07:16

Transport & Infrastructure

Worn heating networks and overloaded substations in Almaty to be upgraded under MEKS project

Worn heating networks and overloaded electrical substations in Almaty will be upgraded under the national Modernisation of Energy and Utilities Sectors (MEKS) project. According to the project's press service, the work will improve the reliability of heating and electricity supply, reduce outages and create capacity to connect new consumers.

InformburoOctober 18, 2026, 07:08

Defense & Security

NATO exercises in Baku conclude

NATO exercises in Baku have concluded, with the third meeting of the "Interoperability Initiative for Partner Countries" and a first-level self-assessment exercise taking place within the Partnership for Peace programme between Azerbaijan and NATO. Day.Az reported, citing Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence, that the ministry announced the outcome.

Day.azOctober 18, 2026, 07:00

Technology

Uzbekistan Prepares to Launch DataVolt Data Center

Uzbekistan is preparing to launch a data center under construction on the territory of IT Park Uzbekistan. Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov discussed the project's progress and the timeline for commissioning the facility with DataVolt CEO Rajit Nanda.

UzDailyOctober 18, 2026, 06:52

Economy

Azerbaijan's strategic reserves are six times the combined reserves of Armenia and Georgia

Azerbaijan holds the leading position in the South Caucasus by volume of strategic foreign currency reserves. According to the State Statistics Committee, the country's strategic reserves stood at $89.38 billion as of 30 September 2026. This amount is about 19.8 times the country's external public debt of $4.51 billion. The reserves are about 10.9 times Georgia's international reserves of $8.17 billion, announced in September, and 13.4 times Armenia's foreign currency reserves of $6.66 billion.

Day.azOctober 18, 2026, 06:44

Economy

Javlon Vahobov: Fergana Valley – a market of 18 million people

Over the past 10 years, Uzbekistan's trade turnover with Central Asian countries rose from $2.5 billion to nearly $8.5 billion. The region's mutual trade turnover reached nearly $11 billion. Javlon Vahobov says these figures show opportunities to deepen economic cooperation, including by strengthening ties among the seven regions of the Fergana Valley.

Kun.uzOctober 18, 2026, 06:36

Health

Tatarstan Seeks to Keep Doctors Amid Shortage of About 2,500 Physicians

Tatarstan's health system is about 2,500 doctors short, officials said, with nine districts in critical condition. In three districts, hospitals are staffed with fewer than half the required doctors. The figures were presented at a weekly meeting chaired by Tatarstan's head, Rustam Minnikhanov, where 19,460 doctors were noted as currently working in the system.

IntertatOctober 18, 2026, 06:28

Diplomacy

Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in Kazakhstan for official visit

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit. An official welcoming ceremony was held at the Akorda Presidential Palace, where President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed him. Qazinform News Agency reports that a guard of honor was lined up in the Ceremonial Hall to mark the visit.

KazinformOctober 18, 2026, 06:20

Diplomacy

Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers discuss regional issues in Baghdad

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in Baghdad within the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Report.azOctober 18, 2026, 06:12

Economy

Five new production facilities open in Turkestan region's industrial park

Kazakhstan's manufacturing output grew by more than 8.5% in the first nine months of this year, with the strongest gains in light and chemical industries, the Ministry of Industry and Construction reported. The growth was supported by the launch of new production facilities. An industrial park for local entrepreneurs has opened in Turkestan region.

Khabar 24October 18, 2026, 06:04

Culture & Arts

Cultural Heritage Agency comments on situation around Literature Museum building

Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage Agency has responded to reports about the State Literature Museum named after Alisher Navoi in Tashkent. A new museum building is under construction in New Tashkent, and its collections are being temporarily moved to the Islamic Civilization Center and the Academy of Sciences' Institute of Anthropology.

Kun.uzOctober 18, 2026, 05:56

Diplomacy

Foreign Minister Ertuğruloğlu to attend OIC summit in Baghdad

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, high-level meetings are continuing at the OIC summit in Baghdad, attended by all member and observer states and affiliated bodies. The opening session began with a speech by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who spoke as chair of the 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. Fidan drew attention to global crises in various regions of the world and to the pressure and injustice faced by Muslims.

Gündem KıbrısOctober 18, 2026, 05:48

Transport & Infrastructure

CIS countries discuss transport corridor development in Astana

According to UzDaily, transport agency representatives of CIS countries discussed the development of international transport corridors, transport digitalisation and transport security at the 46th meeting of the CIS Coordinating Transport Council in Astana. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the New Silk Way forum on 15–16 October, the Kazakh Ministry of Transport press service reported.

UzDailyOctober 18, 2026, 05:40

Diplomacy

US Treats Developing Ties With Central Asian States as a Priority, Rubio Says

The United States considers developing relations with Central Asian states a priority and aims to deepen cooperation with countries in the region. US Secretary of State and Presidential Assistant for National Security Affairs Marco Rubio made the statement to journalists before departing for Uzbekistan.

TrendOctober 18, 2026, 05:32

Politics

Putin signs decree on state awards for Tatarstan recipients

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on state awards. The document was published on the legal acts portal. Among the recipients are three representatives from Tatarstan.

Tatar-informOctober 18, 2026, 05:24

Diplomacy

Kazakhstan-Cambodia trade turnover rises 3.2%

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit and was welcomed in Astana, according to Khabar 24. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the visiting leader at the Akorda residence.

Khabar 24October 18, 2026, 05:16

Diplomacy

US backs UK position on Iran's alleged role in planned attack on RAF Fairford base

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists that the United States shares the United Kingdom's position regarding Iran's alleged involvement in preparations for an attack on the RAF Fairford airbase. Rubio said Britain had stated that Iranians were behind the preparations, that there was no basis to disagree with this assessment, and that the US also shares this position.

Report.azOctober 18, 2026, 05:08

Society

Fathers on parental leave in Kazakhstan will no longer receive monthly state allowance

From 1 January 2027, fathers on parental leave in Kazakhstan will no longer receive the monthly state childcare allowance, reports Kapital.kz. Working men can still take parental leave, but only women who meet certain criteria will receive the monthly payment until the child turns 1.5.

Kapital.kzOctober 18, 2026, 04:59

Defense & Security

Azerbaijan hosts next phase of Falcons Meet - 2026 exercise flights

Training flights have been conducted within the next phase of the Falcons Meet - 2026 joint tactical flight exercise held in Azerbaijan. The exercise involves military personnel from Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, along with aviation assets and air defence systems from both countries. The report was issued by the Press Service of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

AzernewsOctober 18, 2026, 04:51

Society

Strike at K-PET ends with agreement

A strike at Kıbrıs Türk Petrolleri (K-PET) in northern Cyprus has ended after the employer and the union reached an agreement. The walkout had begun over a decision to dismiss nine employees.

Haber KıbrısOctober 18, 2026, 04:43

Diplomacy

Chinese Premier Lays Wreath at Independence Monument in Uzbekistan

Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, on an official visit to Uzbekistan, visited Yangi Uzbekistan park on October 17, accompanied by Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. The senior guest laid a wreath at the foot of the Independence Monument.

UzAOctober 18, 2026, 04:35

Economy

Omani firm Voltamp Energy plans transformer production in Uzbekistan

Omani company Voltamp Energy intends to develop high-voltage transformer production and build solar power plants in Uzbekistan. The company sees the country as a base for further expansion into other CIS markets.

UzDailyOctober 18, 2026, 04:27