Uzbekistan–Sweden Mining Deal: Uzbekistan and Sweden signed an expanded mining and geology MOU, aiming to bring modern technologies, training, and ESG-aligned sustainable practices into Central Asia’s extractive sector. Renewables Grid Warning: A new Eurasian Development Bank report says Central Asia’s fast solar buildout could backfire without grid upgrades, storage, and market reforms—raising electricity costs and systemic risk. Tashkent Traffic Engineering: Tashkent’s traffic management center is redesigning flow around the Sergeli auto market with a dedicated access road to cut bottlenecks and conflict points. AI/IT Education Push: Fergana and SeoulTech plan joint AI and IT degree programs, linking universities with IT Park and industry to train job-ready graduates. Mortgage Market Milestone: Uzbekistan registered its first mortgage bond issuance, a 40.5bn soum step toward mortgage-backed securities and deeper capital-market financing. Nuclear Progress: Rosatom began construction of an export small modular nuclear plant unit in Uzbekistan, with the first concrete poured under IAEA construction standards. Language Reform: Parliament approved a bill to replace several foreign loanwords in law with Uzbek terms, including “password” and “traffic light.” World Cup Context (for locals): Uzbekistan’s MFA issued a fan travel guide and warned supporters to follow entry rules closely; meanwhile, visa rejections for non-European fans remain a concern.