Caspian Sea Diplomacy: Turkmenistan marked Caspian Sea Day with an Awaza conference on protecting the Caspian ecosystem, bringing together Caspian littoral states and international bodies including the UN, OSCE and EU, under the Tehran Convention framework. Business–State Dialogue: Uzbekistan’s five-year “open dialogue” with entrepreneurs is framed as shifting from removing individual barriers to rewriting business rules—tax, lending, land access, exports, digital services, and investor rights. Drone Attack Aftermath: Uzbekistan repatriated the bodies of eight Uzbek construction workers killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in Tatarstan, while a presidential commission coordinates support for families and injured citizens with Russian authorities. Energy Market Oversight: President Mirziyoyev reviewed measures to keep Uzbekistan’s oil and gas market stable and prevent unjustified price hikes, including daily oversight across production, storage and supply. Regional Mobility & Digital Services: Uklon expanded its ride-hailing service to five cities in the Fergana Valley (Fergana, Margilan, Kokand, Namangan, Andijan). International Engagement: Uzbekistan–Serbia foreign ministry consultations highlighted growing political ties and Serbia’s appreciation for Uzbekistan’s support on sovereignty and territorial integrity. Geopolitics in Focus: A report says Pakistan and Russia are deepening cooperation through steady security, diplomacy and trade channels, with Afghanistan a recurring concern.