World news

Turkey's Baykar company has introduced a new modification of the Bayraktar TB2 drone. The new product is named Bayraktar TB2T-AI. The company announced this in its press release it said. According to the company's report, the drone represents a "new generation" and is designed to "change the balance of power." The drone has received an unknown type of turboprop engine, which has allowed it to increase its takeoff weight and payload. The speed of the upgraded device reaches 300 km/h. It can ascend to an altitude of 9000 m in less than 30 minutes. Bayraktar TB2T-AI is equipped with new onboard computers that utilize artificial intelligence, providing independent GPS navigation for area detection. The drone has gained the ability to analyze and identify targets. The developers have also added automatic return to base and automatic landing functions. Information about combat payloads and weapons has not been provided. Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance tactical strike drone that can perform remote-controlled or autonomous flights. It can carry various modern weapons, including MAM-C and MAM-L aerial bombs, as well as UMTAS missiles against tanks. Bayraktar TB2 was used very effectively by Ukraine at the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war. However, its effectiveness has sharply decreased due to Russia's establishment of a layered air defense system. Nevertheless, this drone still has high demand in the global arms market.

Photo: UN News The UN General Assembly adopted two resolutions regarding the Russia-Ukraine war during a meeting held on February 24. This was reported on the UN's social media page here. It was noted that the General Assembly initially adopted a resolution prepared by the countries of the European Union and Ukraine. The document, titled "Promoting a Comprehensive, Just, and Lasting Peace in Ukraine," calls for de-escalation, an immediate cessation of hostilities, and a peaceful resolution to the war. Ninety-three countries voted in favor, 18 countries voted against, and 65 countries remained neutral (including Uzbekistan). Among those who voted against the resolution were the US, Russia, and Hungary. Meanwhile, China remained neutral in the voting. Later, the General Assembly voted for the "Road to Peace" resolution prepared by the United States. It was emphasized that the US incorporated amendments proposed by European countries into its resolution, specifically replacing the phrase "conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine" with "Russia's large-scale invasion." Ninety-two countries voted for the draft resolution, eight voted against (including Russia), and 73 countries abstained from voting — among them was the US as well. The UN General Assembly did not support the amendments made by the Russian Federation to the resolution prepared by the US. According to Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vasiliy Nebenzya, the RF made amendments to the document regarding the "necessity to address the root causes of the Ukraine crisis." It should be noted that in 2023, Uzbekistan also remained neutral in voting for the resolution that recorded Russia's aggression.

Ethylene could play a vital role in rocket fuel development. The crew of the "Shenzhou-19" mission aboard the "Tiangong" orbital station has successfully conducted an unprecedented experiment on artificial photosynthesis in space. As a result of the experiment, astronauts produced both oxygen and ethylene — a critical compound for rocket fuel production. This marks a significant milestone for China’s ambitions in space exploration, including its plans for a Moon landing by 2030. The technology relies on semiconductor catalysts that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen under room temperature and normal pressure. This innovative approach drastically reduces energy requirements compared to conventional electrolysis methods. Unlike the systems used on the International Space Station, which mainly rely on electrolysis, China's breakthrough mimics natural plant photosynthesis through advanced chemical and physical processes, making it particularly effective for long-duration space missions.

The early parliamentary elections in Germany, scheduled for February 23, 2025, are causing heated discussions. According to the Federal Election Commission, 56 parties and political organizations have submitted applications to participate in the elections. Notably, among the applicants are parties with unusual names. According to Rut Brand, the head of the German Federal Election Commission, the final decision on which parties will participate in the elections will be made on January 13 or 14. These elections are expected to create opportunities for new participants in the German political arena and bring unique innovations to the electoral process

A massive forest fire that broke out near Los Angeles, California, is being observed from space. Satellite images clearly show the area of the fire and the large plume of smoke. The smoke has spread over a wide area due to the wind, affecting Los Angeles and surrounding rural areas. The fire has engulfed over 12,000 acres, leading to the evacuation of more than a thousand residents to safe areas. Firefighting crews and special services are working vigorously to bring the fire under control. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning due to strong winds and low humidity levels. This fire could further worsen the ecological situation in California and cause serious damage to the local economy.

A 16-year-old teenager wearing a black mask and armed with a hammer burst into a school in Kursk, Russia. According to Kursk region governor Alexander Khinshtein, the school guard was unable to stop the teenager. “During the incident, the teenager ran into the school building and broke a window in the hallway. Despite being pursued, he exited and also smashed the front door's window with the hammer. While escaping, he left behind two knives and a bottle filled with flammable liquid. The entire incident lasted more than two minutes,” Khinshtein said. The teenager was apprehended shortly after. It was reported that he was not a student of the school, but he had a personal relationship with a girl studying there.

A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Irina Zarutska, was stabbed to death on a train in North Carolina. This was reported by Zamin.uz. The police arrested 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, who attacked the woman, and charged him with murder. The incident was recorded on video and widely shared on social media, causing significant public outrage. The city mayor called the incident a failure of the judicial system and promised measures to enhance safety on public transport. Zarutska's family stated that she had fled the war in 2022 and come to the United States, quickly adapting to her new life. She was interested in art, loved animals, and lived happily with her family. The incident also sparked political debates. Some criticized that Brown, despite having been previously convicted of serious crimes, had been released. The state leader called for more effective measures against crime. This event once again prompted discussions in society about safety and justice issues.

A person died as a result of a large shark attack in Sydney. This was reported by Zamin.uz. The victim was attacked by a shark while swimming with friends at Long Reef beach. Rescuers brought him to shore, but they were unable to save his life. It is known that the victim had been in the water for only half an hour, and the attack occurred about 100 meters from the shore. Several popular beaches in the Northern Beaches area were temporarily closed following the incident. Experts have stated that these beaches may remain closed for 24 to 72 hours. The police are conducting an investigation to determine the exact species of shark involved in the attack. The last fatal shark attack in Sydney was recorded in 2022. On average, about 20 such incidents occur annually in Australia. This event once again reminded the country of the danger posed by sharks. People need to exercise increased caution along the coast. Rescue services are also strengthening safety measures at the beaches.

The Finnish government has initiated a deportation process for Russians who arrived in the country after Russia's war against Ukraine began. This was reported by Zamin.uz. According to the Finnish police, from January to September 2025, 104 Russian citizens whose political asylum applications were rejected have been expelled from the country. This was reported by the publication "Vot Tak" on September 5. Official data indicates that the number of deportations has increased significantly this year. The main reason for this is the prolonged delay in processing asylum applications. Over the past two years, interviews with applicants were not conducted, with only some cases undergoing investigations. Activists have appealed to the Finnish ombudsman and filed complaints. Only at the end of 2024 did the interview process begin, says Maksim Aliyev, an activist of the "Kemi Against War" movement. According to him, about 90 percent of Russian applicants received rejection letters after the initial interviews. Many have appealed to the Supreme Court of Finland and expressed their readiness to reapply for asylum. The majority of rejections relate to citizens avoiding conscription. According to the Finnish Migration Service, in May 2023, at least 1,109 Russians sought asylum to avoid military conscription. However, officials rejected their applications and stated that mobilization in Russia had ended. Documents cited statements from then Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and President Vladimir Putin as justification. However, critics emphasize that there is no official decree to halt mobilization. Thus, the fate of Russian refugees in Finland remains uncertain. Authorities say that many applications will continue to be reviewed in the coming months, and the number of rejections may increase.

An unusual incident occurred in Russia. This was reported by Zamin.uz. French tourist and cyclist Sofian Sexili was detained in Vladivostok on charges of illegal border crossing. This was reported by the prestigious French publication “Le Monde”. According to information, the athlete aimed to travel by bicycle across Eurasia and set a world record. His route started from Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, with Vladivostok as the destination. However, the travel plan encountered an unexpected problem. On September 2, customs officers at the China-Russia border stopped him and accused him of violating the law. Sexili attempted to enter Russian territory twice. Each time he tried to cross at different points located about 200 kilometers from the border. But both attempts ended unsuccessfully. Sofian Sexili was born in 1981. He previously worked on filming documentaries, then stopped directing to focus on sports. At the age of 44, he began undertaking long bicycle journeys to challenge himself. So far, he has participated in about 20 major competitions, winning 11 of them. Experts believe that Sexili’s journey was aimed not only at setting a personal record but also at developing sports tourism in Eurasia. However, the incident in Russia became a major obstacle to his plans. Currently, an official investigation is underway regarding the French athlete. His fate and the outcome of his future trips remain unknown for now.

At the beginning of September, a Canadian soldier serving in the aviation battalion of NATO's multinational brigade went missing in Latvia. This was reported by Zamin.uz. According to a statement published on the official website of the Canadian Ministry of Defence, his death has been confirmed. The Canadian Ministry of Defence provided information about the missing soldier on Friday. He was a qualified technician of the 408th Tactical Helicopter Squadron and held a high level of responsibility. The statement says that the Canadian officer George Hohl, sent to Latvia as part of the NATO operation, went missing on September 2, and his body was found on September 5. An investigation is ongoing to determine the causes of death. The Canadian police and law enforcement agencies are conducting the investigation in cooperation with Latvia. All necessary measures are being taken to establish the reasons for the soldier's death. This incident raises serious security issues among NATO military personnel.

During the Syrian civil war, thousands of children were separated from their parents and placed in various orphanages and institutions. This was reported by Zamin.uz. In some cases, they were not handed over to their relatives, their documents were altered, and they were kept in unfamiliar places. Currently, many families remain unaware of whether their children are alive or not. According to investigations by the BBC and international organizations, at least 323 children were secretly separated from their relatives. One of the institutions that received the most children is the SOS Children’s Villages International organization located in Austria, where some former employees reported that the identities of the children were changed and contact with them was not permitted. Although the organization partially denies these allegations, it expressed regret over the fate of the children. The SOS leadership announced that an independent investigation will be conducted regarding the illegal separation of children from their parents in institutions in Syria. Currently, hundreds of mothers continue to search for their children. They visit one institution after another, trying to find their children. The new government in Syria has also begun to investigate this issue, but due to a lack of resources, no definitive results have been achieved yet. International cooperation and comprehensive investigations are considered necessary to resolve this problem.

On September 6, 2025, Uzbekistan sent a total of 265 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. This was reported by Zamin.uz. The aid was delivered in the city of Hayraton in Balkh province. The cargo was prepared at the “Termiz Cargo Centre” and transported to the destination by 14 trucks. The aid included flour, rice, sugar, canned meat, pasta, confectionery products, oil, instant meals, red beans and mung beans, packaged drinking water, 5,000 bandages, as well as more than 10 tons of medicines and medical supplies. The ceremony was attended by Ismatulla Irgashev, Uzbekistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, and Ulugbek Qosimov, governor of Surxondaryo region. They emphasized that this initiative was carried out by Shavkat Mirziyoyev to strengthen neighborly relations. Afghan officials stated that they perceive the aid not just as ordinary goods but as a symbol of brotherhood and humanity. They highly appreciated the assistance provided by the leader and people of Uzbekistan to the Afghan people during difficult times. Speaking on behalf of the Balkh provincial leadership, F. Robiy expressed sincere gratitude to Uzbekistan. He called this aid a true example of brotherhood and solidarity and stressed that the Afghan people and leadership will never forget such support. At the end of August, a 6-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan. The natural disaster caused significant damage to Kunar, Laghman, and Nangarhar provinces, destroying many villages. In mountainous areas, roads were blocked, leaving many residents in difficult conditions. Afghanistan’s healthcare system was already in a complicated state and was unable to provide adequate assistance during this disaster. According to official data, the death toll reached 2,205 people, and 3,640 individuals sustained injuries of varying degrees.

The Afghan government officially ended search and rescue operations following the powerful earthquake that occurred on August 31. This was reported by Zamin.uz. Kunar province governor Qudratullah Abu Hamza informed Al Jazeera television about this. According to him, the search and rescue efforts for survivors after the earthquake have been fully completed. The incident resulted in 2,204 deaths, and approximately 4,000 people sustained injuries of varying degrees. The head of the region where the earthquake's epicenter was located emphasized that the government is facing serious problems due to a shortage of tents for temporarily housing the affected population and displaced persons. At the same time, rescuers and local residents made great efforts to provide necessary assistance and succeeded in finding survivors in life-threatening conditions. According to experts and international organizations, assessing the damage caused by the earthquake in Afghanistan and meeting the needs of the victims may take a long time. The government and international organizations continue to work together to provide medical aid, food, and shelter to those affected. Extensive measures are being implemented in the country to combat the emergency and restore people's lives.