US-Uzbekistan Business Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Uzbekistan in mid-October, leading a delegation of 100+ American companies to Samarkand for C5+1 talks focused on trade, energy security, and regional economic modernization. Digital Connectivity Deal: Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies says it has signed an agreement with APT Satellite to expand Uzbekistan’s satellite communications market, including broadband and broadcasting services, via cooperation with UZ-SAT. Regional Governance & Finance: Uzbekistan’s National Bank of Georgia first vice chairman Ekaterine Mikabadze joined an International Public Asset Management Forum in Tashkent, bringing together central banks and major investors. Security & Justice: A Uzbek national, Davud Ansariy, was extradited from Georgia to the US and is set to face federal court in Brooklyn over alleged material support to ISIS and al-Nusra. Defense Modernization: Embraer delivered Uzbekistan’s first C-390 transport aircraft to the Air Force in Brazil, marking the start of modernization with training and support included. Public Mourning: President Mirziyoyev sent condolences to Kazakhstan after a Caspian Sea exercise tragedy killed 14 servicemen, with Uzbekistan joining a wider international show of support.