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The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has approved new parameters for the state order for admission to higher education institutions. This was reported by Upl.uz. With this decision, the number of grants for bachelor's and master's specialties is significantly increasing. These changes will cover the next four academic years. Starting from the 2025/2026 academic year, the number of grants for bachelor's programs will exceed 35,500, while nearly 10,000 grants will be allocated for master's programs. In the following years, the number of grants will be gradually increased, which will create additional opportunities for applicants. According to the decree of the head of state, the main indicators of the state order for the 2025/2026 academic year and the next three years are set as follows. The number of grants for full-time bachelor's education will reach 35,500 in 2025/2026, 36,023 in 2026/2027, 36,460 in 2027/2028, and 36,761 in 2028/2029. For master's programs, the number of grants will increase to 9,922 in 2025/2026, 10,191 in 2026/2027, 10,477 in 2027/2028, and 10,784 in 2028/2029. The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education will also present proposals for the distribution of additional grants to the state commission. In particular, 1,320 state grants will be allocated for studying at higher education institutions and their branches abroad, as well as at private higher education institutions operating in the republic. Additionally, 30 state grants are planned to be allocated to create opportunities for compatriots living abroad to study at state higher education institutions. Furthermore, in cooperation with the Family and Women’s Committee, a special allocation of 4,000 state grants for women will be distributed. These measures aim to improve the quality of education in our country and expand opportunities for young people to acquire knowledge. The increase in the number of grants provided by the state will enhance competition in the higher education system and positively impact the training of qualified personnel.

A case of unprecedented violation of traffic rules by a driver was recorded in Namangan region. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to official information obtained from the regional department of the State Enforcement Bureau, on Friday, July 18, a 70-year-old local citizen was held accountable for 82 documented violations. No fines were paid for these violations. The owner of a Chevrolet Gentra vehicle has systematically violated legal requirements for a long time. Most of the violations are related to breaking stopping and parking rules and ignoring road signs. The amount of debt to the state reached a significant level, prompting the application of compulsory measures. When the risk of the vehicle being seized arose, this individual attempted to hide the vehicle. The car was moved to an inconspicuous location, and this action aimed to obstruct the work of law enforcement and enforcement agencies. Such actions are assessed as attempts to evade paying administrative fines. Nevertheless, the employees of the State Enforcement Bureau carried out comprehensive measures to identify the debtor's property within the framework of enforcement actions. As a result, the vehicle was found. In accordance with the established procedure, the vehicle was evacuated to the impound lot, where it will be kept until the fines are fully paid. Additionally, the costs of evacuation and storage must also be covered. This incident once again reminds of the necessity to prevent accountability for violations of traffic rules. An automated photo and video recording system called "Safe City" is actively functioning in Uzbekistan. It is through this system that many violations, including speeding and ignoring road signs, are detected. This complicates attempts to conceal crimes and evade fines and allows for effective measures to be taken against offenders.

On July 19, 2023, a unique event occurred on Uzbekistan Airways flight HY282 while flying from Istanbul to Tashkent. This was reported by Upl.uz. During the flight, an unexpected premature birth process began for one of the passengers. Fortunately, there were two qualified doctors on board, and they and the crew quickly provided the necessary medical assistance. Representatives of Uzbekistan Airways highly appreciated the assistance provided by the crew to the doctors. The aircraft commander made a prompt decision to make an emergency landing at Urgench airport. There, medical personnel welcomed the mother and the newborn baby. The family was quickly taken to a local hospital for further observation and treatment. The airline expressed gratitude to the aircraft commander, crew members, and doctors. This incident once again confirmed the importance of safety and prompt medical assistance on board.

Earlier, entrepreneur Murad Nazarov proposed to lift the moratorium. This was reported by Upl.uz. He emphasized that trees are still being cut down. Environmental party deputies strongly condemned his proposal. Alisher Qodirov, a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlisi of the Republic of Uzbekistan and leader of the "National Revival" democratic party, also expressed his opinion on the existing ban. Alisher Qodirov cited an example from his life, explaining the bureaucratic difficulties that arise during the legal process of cutting down damaged trees. He noted that the process of obtaining permission drags on for months, with responsibility being shifted from one person to another. When specialists arrive, it becomes clear that their actions are not simple but rather a very complex and multi-stage process. Qodirov wrote on his Telegram channel: “We collected documents all year to cut down the dead tree in front of the office, but responsibility just passed from one person to another. Finally, when the specialists arrived, it seemed they came to punish a person, not to cut down a tree.” The politician emphasized that calls to preserve trees should not mean an absolute ban on their cutting. In some cases, cutting down a tree may be necessary and justified. He stressed the priority of human interests, stating that trees should be preserved for people. Qodirov expressed concern that the excessive idea of protecting trees could lead future generations to focus too much on nature, forgetting other important aspects of life. He said: “Of course, trees are necessary. But do not forget, we preserve trees for people, not for trees for the sake of people. If this continues, future generations will forget religion and start worshiping trees.”

The incident that occurred at a polyclinic in Tashkent ended with public insult towards medical staff and was resolved through a court process. This was reported by Upl.uz. A school graduate was held administratively responsible for expressing dissatisfaction with the doctor's actions on social media. The conflict arose because the doctor failed to insert the IV on the first attempt. The girl had approached the polyclinic with high blood pressure and a headache and stated that the doctor had failed eight times to insert the IV. The doctor emphasized that the patient had been smoking during the procedure, which could have caused damage to the vein. After this incident, the graduate posted a video on social media, insulting all doctors in the country in public. This action drew the attention of the public and law enforcement agencies. The case was reviewed at the Yunusabad District Court, and a decision was made. The girl was found guilty under Article 183 of the Administrative Responsibility Code of Uzbekistan (petty hooliganism). She was fined in the amount of 5 basic calculation amounts, which is 1,875,000 soums.

The press service of the Andijan region customs department reported that the circulation of illegal drugs has been prevented. This was reported by Upl.uz. Employees of the anti-smuggling department of the Andijan regional customs, in cooperation with the National Security Service and law enforcement agencies, conducted a special operational event. During the event, a search was conducted at the home of an individual living in the Andijan district. As a result of the inspection, a total of 43,335 units of 41 types of drugs were identified, which did not have certificates regarding their quality. Their total value exceeded 700 million soums. Among these drugs were "Solartin," "Vinkorel," "Tadazef 5," and "Vikon 1g." It was also noted that the established temperature regime for storing the drugs was violated, which could negatively affect their quality. A criminal case has been initiated regarding this situation, and investigative actions are ongoing. Additional measures are being taken by the relevant authorities.

According to the press service of the Interior Ministry of Khorezm region, individuals related to drug trafficking have been arrested. This was reported by Upl.uz. Several special operational measures were carried out by the employees of the internal affairs bodies. In particular, during a search conducted at the home of a citizen born in 1984, residing in Urgench, 5.12 grams of a narcotic substance - heroin was found hidden inside a gas stove. This substance was noted to have been stored for the purpose of sale. Additionally, in the Khazarasp district, a "Damas" brand vehicle was stopped, and 15.7 grams of a synthetic drug - mephedrone was found in the bag of a passenger, a citizen born in 2005 from the Yangiarik district. Furthermore, a person born in 1969, who previously had a conviction for fraud, was arrested while selling drugs in the Khazarasp district. He was caught selling 10 grams of opium for 3.5 million soums. During a search of his home, another 300 grams of opium were found. In all cases, criminal cases have been initiated under the article of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding "Illegal production, purchase, storage, and other actions with narcotic substances, actions carried out for the purpose of sale." Criminals may face a penalty of up to 20 years of imprisonment

The courts of the Kashkadarya region have completed the examination of a criminal case against a 59-year-old resident of the region. This was reported by Upl.uz. He was accused of participating as a mercenary in an armed conflict. According to the court's verdict, this individual was found guilty under Article 154-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Documents from the court proceedings reveal that the defendant had gone to the Russian Federation in search of work. However, in August 2021, he was found guilty by a Russian court of murdering a person living in a neighboring dwelling and was sentenced to 9 years in prison. While serving his sentence, in September 2022, he accepted an offer from representatives of the private military company "Wagner." According to the terms of the contract, he was offered a monthly monetary reward, the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship, and a pardon from the remaining sentence. He participated in military operations in Ukraine for six months until March 2023 as part of this military structure. After fulfilling the terms of the contract, he was pardoned and demobilized. Until March 2025, he continued his work activities in the Russian capital and then returned to Uzbekistan. Upon arriving in his homeland, he voluntarily contacted law enforcement agencies. He presented a collection of documents confirming his guilt. These materials formed the basis of the criminal case. During the court session, the defendant fully admitted his guilt, expressed remorse for his actions, and requested leniency from the court. Taking into account all circumstances of the case, including his voluntary arrival and sincere confession, the court imposed a sentence of three and a half years of restriction of freedom. This case is not new in the judicial practice of Uzbekistan. Previously, a 25-year-old city resident in Tashkent was also convicted on similar charges and sentenced to restriction of freedom. These court decisions demonstrate Uzbekistan's firm stance towards citizens who have served in foreign armed formations. Article 154-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan stipulates a punishment of 7 to 12 years of imprisonment for mercenarism. At the same time, voluntary confession of the crime and active assistance in exposing the crime may be recognized by the court as grounds for leniency. This is clearly evident in this case, as it may significantly influence the court's verdict.

A video has circulated on social media about a four-year-old girl being electrocuted inside a transformer room in the city of Andijan. This was reported by Upl.uz. The press service of the "Regional Electric Networks" joint-stock company of Andijan region commented on this incident. It was reported that the incident occurred on July 13 in the basement of an apartment building in the Andijan district. A short circuit occurred at a transformer station with a voltage of 35/0.4 kV and a capacity of 1000 kVA. The investigation results showed that the cause of the short circuit was an animal. The girl's cat entered the basement through a hole in the door and fell into the high-voltage transformer. This led to an electrical explosion. At the time of the incident, the girl was watching her cat from behind the basement door. During the explosion, the girl's face was burned, and she was provided with immediate medical assistance and hospitalized. Currently, the girl's condition is assessed as stable. This incident serves as a reminder of the need to pay special attention to electrical safety. It is important for parents and children to adhere to safety rules.

From January to May 2025, the total volume of services provided in the education sector amounted to 14.7 trillion soums. This was reported by Upl.uz. This figure accounts for 4 percent of all market services provided in the country during the same period. This information was provided by the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Compared to the corresponding period in 2024, the volume of educational services increased by 8.9 percent. This growth indicates an increased demand for education, as well as the active development of educational institutions and programs. When analyzing the composition of educational services, the main share of the total volume corresponds to higher education. In the period from January to May 2025, the share of higher education constituted 49.2 percent. This confirms the significance of activities in the field of higher education

According to the press service of the Internal Affairs Department of Khorezm region, an individual organizing illegal activities has been identified. This was reported by Upl.uz. On July 18 of this year, law enforcement officers conducted a special operation in Khorezm region. During the operation, it was revealed that a 1969-born citizen living in the "Chamanzor" neighborhood of the Qushkupir district had organized a hidden place for gambling in his home. This individual had created all the necessary conditions for conducting gambling. During the operation, 10 citizens aged between 21 and 53 who entered the illegal establishment were identified, and several decks of playing cards as well as more than 38.4 million soums in cash were confiscated from them. A criminal case has been initiated under the article "Organization and conduct of gambling" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding this incident. The individual organizing the illegal activity may face up to 7 years of imprisonment.

The press service of the Tashkent city Emergency Situations Department reported that on July 18, 2024, at approximately 21:30, a fire broke out in one of the private houses in the city area. This was reported by Upl.uz. The incident occurred at the address of 2nd Tor, Nurabad Street, Shaykhontohur District. Upon receiving the report of the fire, emergency service personnel arrived at the scene and immediately began extinguishing the fire. At 22:13, the fire was brought under control, and it was completely extinguished by 22:33. No one was injured as a result of the fire. Currently, work is ongoing to determine the causes of the fire and assess the extent of material damage. Additional information will be provided regarding this incident.

The press service of the Jizzakh region Internal Affairs Department reported that a case of large-scale storage of narcotic substances was detected in the Arnasoy district. This was reported by Upl.uz. During an operational-preventive measure conducted by the internal affairs officers, a suspicious citizen was stopped and checked. The personal inspection of the citizen was carried out in the presence of witnesses. As a result of the inspection, it was found that a citizen born in 1972, residing in the "Paxtakor" neighborhood of the Paxtakor district in Jizzakh region, had 11 kilograms and 525 grams of narcotic substance – marijuana – in his possession. A criminal case has been initiated regarding this incident, and investigative actions are currently underway. The internal affairs agencies are maintaining constant control over the fight against narcotic substances. Citizens are requested to be active in preventing violations of the law.

The press service of the Fergana region Internal Affairs Department reported that a case of growing prohibited plants has been identified. This was reported by Upl.uz. As part of the "Safe and Healthy Country" preventive measures, a special operation was conducted in the Uzbekistan district of Fergana region. During the operation, the house and yard of a citizen born in 1980, residing in the "Shodlik" neighborhood, were inspected. During the inspection, it was revealed, in the presence of witnesses, that he was growing a plant with narcotic properties, "cannabis," in his yard. A total of 12 cannabis bushes were found and documented as evidence. A criminal case has been initiated under the article "Cultivation of prohibited plant species" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding this case. This operation aims to enhance the effectiveness of measures aimed at preventing and combating crime.

According to the press service of the State Security Service, a covert group of an international terrorist organization has been uncovered. This was reported by Upl.uz. A special operational event was conducted in cooperation with the State Security Service and law enforcement agencies in the city of Namangan. During the event, a covert group of the international terrorist organization named "Islamic State – Khorasan Province" was identified, and members of this banned group were detained. A total of 16 group members were identified, 13 of whom were women. From those detained, 37 mobile communication devices, 51 banned religious literature, 40 compact discs, 4 flash drives, as well as a laptop and tablet were seized as evidence. This group was organized by a woman living in the Davlatabad district of Namangan region, who actively promoted jihad. She created Telegram channels and groups, distributing banned religious materials to over 120 users and actively engaging in discussions with them. At the same time, she promoted the establishment of the "Islamic State" and opposed the political views in our country, supporting the implementation of Sharia law. It was revealed that the group leader had received illegal religious education in Istanbul in 2022, and her religious views had shifted towards aggression and extremism. Her father tried to stop her, but the woman belittled him and rejected help. During the investigation, it was also revealed that one of the group members was the organizer of a private university in the city of Namangan. Currently, a criminal case has been initiated regarding this situation, and investigative actions are ongoing. Necessary measures are being taken by the relevant authorities.

The capital of Uzbekistan is on the verge of implementing advanced technologies in the field of public safety. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to a decision approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, the UzFace facial recognition system is planned to be implemented as a pilot project at the entrances of Tashkent railway stations within the framework of a comprehensive state program for the development of artificial intelligence aimed at 2025-2026. The document outlines the implementation of 86 priority projects in the field of artificial intelligence. Of these, 64 will be managed by organizations under the Ministry of Digital Technologies, while the remaining 22 will be managed by other ministries and agencies. The main directions of the project include: creating software to analyze and forecast demand for pharmaceutical products; developing a digital medical assistant based on artificial intelligence to improve the quality of medical care and automate clinical decisions; launching a pilot project to forecast wheat and cotton yields using aerospace monitoring; utilizing artificial intelligence in space monitoring to identify the most efficient schemes and areas for placing solar panels; as well as the pilot implementation of the UzFace system at Tashkent railway stations. To successfully implement these large-scale artificial intelligence projects, the Ministry of Digital Technologies has been tasked with purchasing and installing high-performance computing clusters and specialized equipment for large-scale data storage and processing by June 1, 2026. This equipment will include graphics processors necessary for complex neural networks and artificial intelligence algorithms. INHA University in Tashkent has been chosen as the main base.

A large-scale program aimed at fundamentally improving the primary healthcare system has been launched in the Republic of Uzbekistan starting from July of this year. This was reported by Upl.uz. The main goal of this new model is to bring quality medical services closer to the population. Currently, the project is being implemented in a pilot mode in 15 selected districts and cities of the country. The Ministry of Health demonstrated the initial results of the changes using the example of a district polyclinic in the Khorezm region. This polyclinic has become a model for future updates. In particular, the Family Polyclinic No. 3 in the Shovot district of Khorezm region has undergone a comprehensive update and has now received the status of a second-level medical institution. The most significant innovation is the introduction of the DMED digital system developed by local specialists. This platform has eliminated paper medical records, freeing doctors from data processing and allowing them to focus directly on patients. For the convenience of the population, a mobile application named DMED has been created. Citizens who have installed the application on their smartphones receive timely notification messages before visiting the doctor. Patients also highly appreciate many other useful functions of the application, which significantly facilitates communication with the medical institution. In addition to technological innovations, significant changes have also occurred in the physical infrastructure of the polyclinic. Convenient ramps have been installed at the entrance for persons with disabilities, ensuring free access to medical services. Inside, a modern and comfortable room has been organized for mothers and children. One of the most important changes is the start of work by narrow specialists at the district level in the polyclinic. Now, citizens do not have to go to district or regional centers to access the services of pediatricians, obstetricians-gynecologists, and other highly demanded doctors. It should be noted that a pilot project for the introduction of such a new medical model has also begun in the Samarkand region. Within the framework of this project, it is planned to implement a free choice of doctors, conclude contracts with patients, and introduce a new approach to providing primary healthcare.

On Friday evening, a fire occurred at the large shopping center Globus Mall located in the Uchtepa district of Tashkent city. This was reported by Upl.uz. The report about the fire was received by the Tashkent city emergency situations department at 19:54 on July 18. Thanks to the prompt action of the fire extinguishing service, it took only six minutes to reach the scene, and they arrived at 20:00. The fire was completely extinguished at 20:03. As a result of this incident, no one was injured or killed. Currently, the relevant authorities are working on determining the causes of the fire and assessing the extent of material damage to the shopping center. Due to the quick and professional actions of the fire service, significant losses were prevented. This incident once again highlighted the importance of rapid response to emergencies. It has been established that the effective operation of emergency services is crucial for preserving human lives and property in such situations. The authorities continue to take all necessary measures regarding this incident.

For the first time in Bukhara, bus routes operating on a brutto contract basis have been launched. This was reported by Upl.uz. This route connects the historic Chor-Bakr necropolis with the international airport. This was announced by the press service of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The new buses will operate every 9-10 minutes, ensuring a high frequency of service. The route has been designed to cover important points in the city center. It passes through Ibrohim ibn Sino Street, covering the central market area, and then continues along Dilqushko Street. This provides convenient connections between tourist attractions, shopping centers, and transport hubs. The brutto contract is an advanced cooperation model between the city administration and the transport operator. Unlike the traditional system, in this model, the revenue from passenger tickets goes directly to a special account of the city budget, rather than to the transport operator. The city administration pays the transport operator based on the volume and quality of services provided. This system aims to improve the quality of transport services and create convenience for the city's residents.

From January to May 2025, the number of tourists arriving in Uzbekistan from Italy significantly increased, reaching 17,400 people. This was reported by Upl.uz. This data was provided by the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This figure indicates an increase of 2,100 people or 13.5 percent compared to the same period last year. The main purpose of the tourists is to explore our country's rich cultural heritage and unique attractions. In the first five months of 2025, the distribution of Italian citizens based on their travel purposes was as follows: 16,410 people for tourism, 530 people for visiting relatives, 400 people for business trips, and 43 people for education entered Uzbekistan. This growth indicates the developing tourism potential of our country