As of January 1, 2024, the public debt of Uzbekistan increased by 5.7 billion dollars during one year (instead of the planned 2.9 billion dollars) and reached 34.9 billion dollars. The debt has tripled in six years. Last year, the cost of servicing the national debt increased sharply.

A regional office of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) may be opened in Uzbekistan. Exchange of experience in preservation and restoration of manuscripts, training of Arabic language teachers is also envisaged. The President discussed these issues with the CEO of the organization.

Preparations are being made for the upcoming XII session of the tourism ministers of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which will last three days in Khiva.

Iranian investigators rejected the sabotage version of the helicopter crash with the president and the head of the republic's foreign ministry, the statement of the General Staff of Iran reports.

Brazil permanently suspends Ambassador Frederico Meyer from the Brazilian embassy in Israel. The ambassador's resignation was announced in official publications.

Alisher Kadyrov, the leader of the "National Revival" party, while answering the questions of a citizen of Uzbekistan of Russian nationality, stated that he is not a Russophobe, but admitted that he is a Sovietophobe. He also touched on the issues of relations with Russia, learning the Russian language in schools.

The Parliament of Kazakhstan ratified the agreement with China on the development of the Trans-Caspian international transport route. Due to the agreement, the total shipping speed from China to Europe will be reduced from the current 19-23 days to 12-13 days.

Yesterday, a second Egyptian soldier was killed in a firefight on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. This was reported by Middle East Eye, citing local sources. The newspaper identified the dead soldier as Islam Ibrahim Abdel Razek.

Due to the natural disaster, more than 400,000 households in the country lost electricity. Tornadoes occurred in Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas. President Biden said that the United States is ready to help if needed.

27 documents were signed between the delegations of Uzbekistan and Russia, including agreements on the construction of small nuclear power stations, the opening of branches of the Moscow Technical University and the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade. The leaders of the two countries approved the policy of switching to national currencies in mutual settlements.