Kursiv Uzbekistan (Eng)

🇺🇸 USAID Officially Shut Down U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He said the move has already saved American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars since early 2025. The decision follows Elon Musk’s February announcement, when, as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he declared that USAID was “beyond recovery.” In March, Rubio cancelled 83% of the agency’s programs, arguing they did not serve — and in some cases harmed — U.S. national interests. Remaining projects have been transferred to the State Department. Over its 24 years in Central Asia, USAID allocated around $3.3 billion to the region. Yet analysts note that this was only a small part of the agency’s global funding portfolio. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🤝 Iran and Uzbekistan Strengthen Steel Industry Ties On August 27, the Iranian Steel Producers Association and the Uzbekistan Metallurgy Association signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation in the iron and steel sector. The deal covers raw material supply, joint projects, training programs, and market collaboration. Uzbekistan also announced plans to purchase 300,000 tons of Iranian steel this year, while both sides explore opportunities for building new plants. With Iran’s annual steel production capacity reaching 50 million tons, and bilateral trade already at $500 mln, officials are targeting $2 bn in the near future. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🏎McLaren Front Row at Dutch GP: Piastri on Pole Ahead of Norris 🚦 Oscar Piastri took pole at Zandvoort with a 1:08.662, just 0.012s faster than teammate Lando Norris, giving McLaren their first front-row lockout since 1982. 🇳🇱 Max Verstappen will start third for Red Bull, +0.263s off the pace, while Isack Hadjar impressed in P4 for Racing Bulls ahead of George Russell in P5. 🐂 Racing Bulls delivered strong results with Hadjar P4 and Lawson P8. Ferrari’s Leclerc (P6) and Hamilton (P7) reached Q3 but set no time. 📊 Key eliminations: Antonelli (P11), Tsunoda (P12), Gasly (P14), Albon (P15). Stroll starts last after exiting in Q1. 🔧 With overtaking limited at Zandvoort, Sunday’s race is set to be strategy-driven — McLaren holding the upper hand. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🌳Uzbekistan to Raise Urban Green Spaces to 30% by 2030 🍃 President Mirziyoyev announced that by 2030 green spaces in Uzbek cities will reach 30% under the ‘Green City’ standard, highlighting the duty to protect nature for future generations. 🏡 Over the past eight years, 12,000 apartment blocks have been built. This year, 130,000 new flats will be completed in ‘New Uzbekistan’ neighbourhoods and beyond. 🏘 Every mahalla and village will be developed with modern infrastructure, while small towns will gain a bigger role through upgraded amenities and improved living standards. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn

🪖 Uzbek Special Forces to Join Endless Brotherhood Drills in Azerbaijan 🌍 In September, Uzbekistan’s special forces will take part in the Endless Brotherhood exercises in Azerbaijan. 🤝 The drills will also include units from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan. 📊 Azerbaijan ranks 60th among the world’s strongest armies with 126,400 active personnel, while Uzbekistan stands at 58th with 48,000 troops and a defence budget of $2.8 bn. Telegram/Site/LinkedIn