Nuclear Power Rollout: Uzbekistan has begun construction of its first nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region, with a ceremony linked to St. Petersburg and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi; the project is pegged at about $9.5 billion, includes both small and large reactor capacity on the same site, and is described as aligned with IAEA standards. Diplomacy & Regional Ties: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee visited Tashkent and met President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and PM Abdulla Aripov, concluding 35 deals across trade, finance, technology and aviation, while pushing Hong Kong as a “super connector” for Uzbekistan’s modernization. C5+1 Culture Track: Central Asian culture ministers and the US met in Tashkent under C5+1, agreeing to expand cooperation on heritage protection, museum and research partnerships, professional exchanges, and digitization of historical sites. Security Cooperation: Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi signed agreements with Russia on curbing illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking during an SCO meeting in Bishkek, and discussed Afghanistan-linked security concerns with Tajikistan and law-enforcement cooperation with Uzbekistan and others. World Stage Shock: St. Petersburg reported a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors; no casualties or infrastructure damage were reported. Local Governance: Tashkent’s mayoral office says modernizing the city’s drainage system will require about $400 million investment.