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Lions Kill Guard at Tashkent Area Zoo

Three lions escaped from their enclosure at a zoo in the Tashkent area and killed a guard, according to Uzbek media reports. Staff at the private Lion Park zoo in Parkent district were able to get two of the lions back into the cage area, but one of the lions was shot and killed. The incident happened early Tuesday, reported the Gazeta.uz media outlet. It attributed the information to Khayot Shamsutdinov, press secretary of the prosecutor general's office in Uzbekistan. The media organization said the lions were able to escape because a cage door had been left open. The man who was killed was 44 years old. An investigation is underway.

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Uzbekistan Named Most Desirable Emerging Destination for 2024

Uzbekistan emerged as the Most Desirable Emerging Destination for 2024. For the 23rd year, Wanderlust Travel magazine has invited readers to select their favorite destinations for its annual Reader Travel Awards. This year, 168,000 readers cast more than three million votes across 22 categories recognizing top destinations, tour operators, and tourism brands. Renowned for its Silk Road heritage, Uzbekistan offers a unique blend of historical and natural attractions. The Wanderlust report highlighted the country’s ancient cities, including Samarkand and Bukhara, as “remarkable time capsules” with Islamic architecture and bustling bazaars. Samarkand’s Registan Square was described as "unmissable." The report also praised Uzbekistan's natural landscapes, such as the Kyzylkum Desert and the Aral Sea, which remain lesser-known but equally impressive highlights. Uzbekistan’s tourism sector is rapidly expanding. Between January and October 2024, the country welcomed 6.5 million foreign visitors, a 17.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth equates to an additional 951,300 tourists. In June, a group led by Professor Gil Stein from the University of Chicago toured Uzbekistan for two weeks, visiting cultural hubs such as Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, and the Fergana Valley. Professor Stein commended Uzbekistan’s efforts to preserve its rich cultural heritage, noting that the country attracts a diverse range of visitors, including Islamic pilgrims, Buddhist heritage enthusiasts, and cultural heritage tourists. In 2023, Uzbekistan’s tourism industry generated $2.14 billion, contributing 2.35% of the nation’s GDP. The government is implementing measures to further bolster the sector. These include a $50 million credit line for local tourism businesses, tax exemptions for selected operators, specialized hotel management courses, and an online platform designed to assist tourists in planning their trips.

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Former Son-in-Law of Azerbaijan’s President to Build Tourist Center in Uzbekistan

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed plans for an international tourism center to be constructed in the Bostanlyk district of the Tashkent region, signaling continued investment in the area’s tourism infrastructure. In recent years, Bostanlyk district has seen significant state-supported development. Resorts such as Amirsay and “Beldersay-Chimgan-Nanay” have been established, bolstered by investments exceeding 2 trillion UZS (approximately $155.57 million). Over the past five years, 59 new tourist facilities offering 13,000 accommodations have opened in the district. Azerbaijani businessman Emin Agalarov has proposed the creation of “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan,” an international tourism center near the Charvak reservoir. The ambitious project is set to involve collaboration with several major foreign companies. The “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” project envisions a comprehensive facility featuring recreation areas, swimming pools, and sports facilities. Plans include hotels, cottages, and residential spaces, as well as retail outlets, restaurants, and services offered by international brands. The center will also host festivals, concerts, and cultural events, while a bridge connecting the reservoir's two banks will improve accessibility for visitors. Mirziyoyev has endorsed the proposal, emphasizing a phased approach to design and construction that incorporates international expertise. Emin Agalarov, the former son-in-law of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, married Aliyev’s eldest daughter, Leyla Aliyeva, in 2006 before divorcing in 2015. In addition to his business ventures, Agalarov is a singer and the son of Azerbaijani-Russian oligarch Aras Agalarov. The Agalarov family owns Crocus City Hall, a prominent venue in Moscow that hosted the 2013 Miss Universe pageant, once owned by Donald Trump. During Trump’s visit to Moscow that same year, Emin filmed a music video featuring Trump and the pageant contestants.

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New Train Connects Astana and Borovoye Resort in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s national railways company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has announced the launch of a new electric train connecting the capital, Astana, and Borovoye, one of the country’s most popular year-round resorts. Borovoye is the widespread and commonly used Russian name of the Burabay National Park, located just 250 kilometers north of Astana. The new train will take passengers from Astana to Borovoye in just 2 hours and 26 minutes, without any stops. The train, consisting of six modern domestically manufactured carriages for a total of 574 passengers, will run five days a week. It is equipped with USB sockets, Wi-Fi, and bicycle racks. For passengers with disabilities, it has lifts and places for wheelchairs. Nurtas Karipbayev, Chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, commented: "The launch of a new tourist train is an important step in the development of domestic tourism and the creation of new opportunities for travel in Kazakhstan. We are confident that this train will become a favorite way for residents and guests of our country to get to one of its most beautiful resorts". According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, over the first nine months of 2024, the number of domestic tourists traveling inside Kazakhstan increased by 562,000 and reached 6 million. The number of foreign visitors was 11.5 million, almost twice as much as in the same period in 2023.

Government Approval Becomes Mandatory for New Mosques in Kyrgyzstan

The Kyrgyz government has introduced a new regulation requiring government approval for the construction of mosques. Azamat Yusupov, the director of the State Commission on Religious Affairs (SCRA), announced the policy during a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament. Yusupov revealed that over 1,000 religious institutions in the country are currently operating without proper authorization. Of these, around 800 have been officially registered, while approximately 120 mosques remain unregistered. “In the past, mosques were often built first and registered later. Going forward, construction must be pre-approved by state authorities to ensure legal compliance. We will evaluate the necessity of building a mosque in any given area before granting permission,” Yusupov stated. The Kyrgyz parliament is also deliberating a draft law entitled “On Freedom of Religion and Religious Associations.” Prepared by the SCRA, the bill aims to address inconsistencies in existing legislation. The proposed law consists of six chapters and 40 articles, covering a range of issues related to religious freedom and regulation. Key provisions of the draft law include: Mandatory registration of religious sites. A prohibition on combining public service with religious activities. Restrictions on wearing clothing that hinders personal identification. Regulations governing the operations of religious organizations. A ban on interference by religious groups in state affairs. President Sadyr Japarov has engaged with government officials and religious leaders to discuss the draft law, stressing the importance of balancing the interests of all societal groups while safeguarding national security and citizens’ rights. The finalized version of the draft law will soon be presented to the Jogorku Kenesh for consideration and approval. If enacted, these changes are expected to significantly reshape how religious organizations operate in Kyrgyzstan It is not yet clear how ordinary believers will react to the innovations. For example, last year, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan, which is in line with state policy, reacted sharply to an attempt to initiate a bill banning burkas and beards. Since 2021, the country's authorities have been attempting to strengthen the secular foundations of the state by trying to establish control over various religious organizations. However, this has not prevented certain politicians from harnessing the growing religiosity of the population for their own purposes. In terms of the number of mosques per believer, Kyrgyzstan is ahead of all Central Asian countries, with 3,593 throughout the country. The largest number of mosques is in Osh Province (1,063), the smallest in Naryn Province (194). There are 46 mosques registered in Bishkek and 89 in Osh. Kyrgyzstan also has 220 religious educational institutions, most of which operate in Osh Oblast. Such data is provided by the State Commission on Religious Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

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Citizens of Turkmenistan Can Apply for Simplified Entry to Russia

Citizens of Turkmenistan are now eligible to apply for a single-entry electronic visa (e-visa) to travel to Russia. This opportunity became available following an order by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, which expanded the list of countries eligible for simplified entry. The list now includes 64 countries, with Turkmenistan among the latest additions. The e-visa allows entry to Russia for purposes such as tourism, business, humanitarian activities, or visiting relatives and friends. The application process is conducted online through the official portal of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Notably, applicants are not required to provide invitations, hotel bookings, or additional documentation justifying the purpose of their travel.