BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Central Asia is an important geopolitical area between Europe, Russia and China. It is in Central Asia that world powers have confronted each other for centuries; it is here that China needs to succeed with its new Silk Road Belt for direct access to the Western markets; and it is here that a large wealth of raw materials has its origin. Every week thousands of news appears all over the world in printed and online media and it is quite understandable that many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of the region, and for this reason we are presenting this Weekly Digest of Central Asia which compiles what other media have reported during the past week.

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TASHKENT (TCA) — As the new president of Uzbekistan is trying to consolidate his power by eliminating his old and potential rivals, we are republishing this article, originally published by EurasiaNet.org:

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TASHKENT (TCA) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a results-based loan of $500 million to support the construction of up to 29,000 new affordable housing units in nine regions across Uzbekistan as part of the State Affordable Rural Housing Program, ADB’s country office in Uzbekistan said on June 1.

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DUSHANBE (TCA) — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Tajikistan School Meals Recipe Book was named “Best in the World” at the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, held in Yantai, China, this week, the WFP said on June 2.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — Russia is trying to increase its military influence in Central Asia and apparently taking efforts to involve Uzbekistan in this sphere of influence. We are republishing this article by Joshua Kucera on the issue, originally published by EurasiaNet.org:

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BISHKEK (TCA) — Authorities in Kyrgyzstan should ensure the safety of independent journalist Ulugbek Babakulov, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on June 1. Babakulov, who has been the target of intense criticism from lawmakers and pro-government media since he criticized nationalist social media posts in an article last week, has received death threats on social media, according to his editor.

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