AVC Women’s Cup: Chinese Taipei stayed unbeaten in Pool A, sweeping Uzbekistan 3-0 and setting up a must-win clash with Alas Pilipinas as the Philippines fight to keep semifinal hopes alive. Anti-Corruption Overhaul: Uzbekistan has placed anti-corruption inspectors in every court via a presidential decree, adding compliance checks, income-and-asset declarations, and whistleblower channels. Tourism Boom: Chinese arrivals to Uzbekistan jumped 78% in early 2026, boosted by visa-free access and strong demand for Silk Road cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Uzbek-Belarus Culture & Trade: Tashkent and Minsk discussed turning political agreements into concrete results, with transport/logistics and education-and-culture cooperation on the agenda. World Cup & Borders: As the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears, reports highlight visa denials and heavy security checks affecting teams and officials, including Uzbekistan players facing intensified screening in New York. Uzbekistan in Venice: Uzbek artist Vyacheslav Akhunov’s work is spotlighted at the Venice Biennale, tied to a multimedia exhibition on the Aral Sea’s environmental collapse.