The White House: U.S. ground troops ‘not part of plan’ in Iran
The White House says deploying United States ground troops in Iran is not currently part of the military strategy in ...
Uzbekistan is introducing a new national system to support startups as part of a broader drive to strengthen the digital economy and modernise public services.
The reforms come amid rapid growth of the country’s innovation sector. The value of Uzbekistan’s startup and venture ecosystem reached $3.9 billion in 2024–2025. The number of active startups has exceeded 750, supported by 15 venture funds with total capital of more than $180 million, positioning Uzbekistan as one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in Central Asia.
The government has set ambitious targets for the coming years. By 2030, Uzbekistan plans to increase the number of startups to 5,000, ensure that at least 200 local startups enter international markets, and raise total venture investment to $2 billion.
To reach these goals, a new four-stage support system will be introduced, based on international best practice. The system will accompany startups through all key phases of development: idea, development, launch and scaling, offering tailored support at each stage.
The package will include grants, tax incentives, co-financing mechanisms and compensation for export-related costs, aimed at lowering entry barriers for entrepreneurs and improving access to capital.
The startup reform is closely linked to the large-scale digital transformation of public services. The government plans to expand the number of digital public services to 900, significantly widening access to online procedures for citizens and businesses.
Key processes such as opening a business, issuing bank cards, obtaining SIM cards, as well as insurance and advertising services, are set to be fully digitised. Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to be introduced in more than 50 public services to improve speed, transparency and efficiency.
Uzbekistan is also investing in the infrastructure needed to support the digital economy. A supercomputer has already been launched, while AI laboratories are planned to open in 15 universities across the country. These facilities are expected to boost research capacity, train specialists and support the development of domestic AI solutions.
Looking ahead to 2026, authorities plan further deployment of 5G technologies, wider coverage of high-speed internet across populated areas, and broader use of satellite communications. These measures are intended to reduce the digital divide and improve access to online services nationwide.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that digital technologies directly contribute to raising the competitiveness of the economy, improving the effectiveness of public administration and enhancing the quality of life, and instructed officials to ensure the practical implementation of the outlined tasks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military has enough stockpiled weapons to fight wars "forever"; in a social media post late on Monday. The remarks came hours before conflict in Iran and the Middle East entered its fourth day.
U.S. first lady, Melania Trump chaired a UN Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict on Monday (2 March), a move criticised by Iran as hypocritical following U.S. and Israeli strikes that triggered a UN warning about risks to children.
A torpedo from a U.S. submarine sunk an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth told reporters as the Iranian conflcit entered its fifth day on Wednesday.
The U.S. embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones resulting in a limited fire and some material damage, the kingdom's defence ministry said in a post on X on Tuesday, citing an initial assessment.
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A U.S. submarine strike sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, leaving at least 80 dead, the country’s deputy foreign minister said. Meanwhile, Iran postponed the funeral of its late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to state media.
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The U.S. Department of Defense has released a video of a submarine strike on an Iranian warship off the southern Sri Lankan coast. At least 80 people died in the U.S. attack on the vessel, Sri Lanka's Deputy Foreign Minister said.
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Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the country’s expanding gas exports to Europe and its renewable energy ambitions during the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council’s 12th Ministerial Meeting and the Green Energy Advisory Council’s 4th Ministerial Meeting in Baku on Tuesday (3 March).
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