Asian Games wrap: The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games closed in Japan with China topping the medal table again (169 gold, 341 total), followed by Japan (83 gold) and South Korea (39 gold); Uzbekistan finished with 21 gold and 70 medals as the spotlight shifted to Doha 2030. Uzbekistan in sport: Uzbekistan’s medal haul at the Games stood out alongside a broader regional push for Olympic-ready talent, while the closing ceremony highlighted “One Asia” and the handover to Qatar. Central Asia cooperation: Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan’s strategic partnership is framed as a regional stability pillar, with talks set to cover security, energy, transport, water and humanitarian ties. Water security: A new focus on Central Asia’s shared water challenge stresses cooperation, trust, accurate measurement and shared responsibility across the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins. Culture & youth: Osh marked its 3,026th anniversary with major performances featuring Kyrgyz and Uzbek artists, drawing 30,000+ people. Arts in Uzbekistan: Tashkent is set to host the 11th International Biennale of Contemporary Art, adding another cultural milestone to the city’s calendar. Human rights watch: Reports from Afghanistan say Taliban detained a female Uzbek poet in Takhar over critical poems, underscoring ongoing restrictions on expression.