At the conclusion of the first meeting of the Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan Council of Provincial Leaders, held in Aktau, Kazakhstan, the two countries signed a series of memoranda on interprovincial cooperation along with commercial agreements worth a combined total of more than 80 billion tenge (nearly $171 million).

A video has surfaced on social media showing a Damas minivan dragging a dog tied to its rear bumper. The incident took place in the Kamashi district of the Qashqadaryo province.

Chairman of the Board of Uzbekneftegaz Abdugani Sanginov held a working meeting with executives of CCDC, a drilling company operating under the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the Uzbekneftegaz press service said in a statement.

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Konghirotboy Sharipov and University of Tsukuba President Kyosuke Nagata have signed a cooperation agreement to establish a joint Uzbekistan–Japan university.

Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Pakistan on the sidelines of a regional council.

One year ago, at the IDEX 2025 international defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, Uzbekistan unveiled its NATO-standard Arslon 8x8 and 6x6 armored personnel carriers. These military vehicles are seen as a cornerstone of Uzbekistan's comprehensive program to modernize its Armed Forces, while also aimed at reducing dependency on foreign defense suppliers.

The chief of the Presidential Administration Saida Mirziyoyeva toured several parks on Friday to review planned upgrades aimed at making them more accessible and user-friendly for residents. She was accompanied by Tashkent Mayor Shavkat Umurzakov.

During the first half of 2026 (January–June), the supply of foreign currency on Uzbekistan's domestic market—excluding Central Bank interventions—surged by 31 percent to reach $27.8 billion, the regulator said in the semi-annual market review.

Prime Ministers Abdulla Aripov of Uzbekistan and Olzhas Bektenov of Kazakhstan discussed prospects for increasing cargo traffic along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), the press service of Kazakhstan's government said Thursday.

Uzbek diplomats have discussed simplifying visa procedures with representatives of Ethiopia and South Africa, the Dunyo news agency reported.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has criticized provincial governors for failing to deliver on their promises to curb inflation, and has ordered a complete review of the meat production and consumption balance in every province by August 1.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised security cooperation in separate meetings with ​his Belarusian and Uzbek counterparts, his ‌ministry said in two statements released on Friday.

Uzbekistan generated 7 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green energy during the first seven months of 2026, marking a 23 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Energy's press service.

Total of 35,401 foreign nationals visited Uzbekistan for medical treatment during the first half of 2026 (January–June), the National Statistics Committee said in a report.

Mostly clear, sunny skies and dry weather are expected across most of Uzbekistan over the weekend. However, brief showers and thunderstorms are possible in isolated mountainous provinces.

A young man and woman who were due to be married died of carbon monoxide poisoning inside a car in the city of Angren, Tashkent province. Their bodies were found in a Chevrolet Gentra parked in a garage, the Millar program said in a report.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan may soon have to rethink their plans to develop nuclear energy. Rosatom, the Russian nuclear entity that has agreements to build nuclear plants in both Central Asian nations, is experiencing major financial difficulties, Eurasianet reported.

Construction work on a dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane is set to begin on Shahrisabz Street in central Tashkent, extending the existing line from Shota Rustaveli Street.

The nationwide inventory audit revealing hundreds of missing artifacts from the Kokand and Syrdarya museums highlights a much deeper, systemic crisis within Uzbekistan’s cultural institutions. Experts and insiders warn that the outright theft of artifacts is only the tip of the iceberg, as the replacement of authentic, valuable items with high-quality reproductions has become incredibly common across the country's state funds.

Iran has requested a visa-free regime for its nationals during bilateral talks with Uzbekistan, the press service of the Uzbek Tourism Committee reported.