Sports & Infrastructure: Bishkek’s K. Kozhomkul Sports Palace is closing for major renovations, with events ending by May 10 before reconstruction and a new swimming pool move forward. Culture & Heritage: Turkic states adopted the “Gaziantep Declaration” to fight cultural property smuggling, pushing tighter cross-border cooperation with UNESCO and UNODC in the spotlight. Civic Space & Rights: Central Asia faces rising digital repression, with groups warning of online harassment, site blocking, shutdowns, and AI-enabled surveillance used to silence independent voices. Community & Health: Kyrgyzstan’s “Clean Hands - Clean Water - Clean Environment” hygiene challenge is underway, asking people to post short videos and spread simple prevention habits ahead of summer. Religion & Travel: The first group of Kyrgyz pilgrims—180 people—has flown from Osh to Medina for Hajj-2026, with Saudi and Kyrgyz officials sending them off. Local Life: In Chui’s Progress village, a new school for 275 students has started—its first in 64 years—after the old one ran at extreme overcapacity. Tradition in Action: Eagle hunting with trained golden eagles remains alive through modern competitions like “ündök” and “chyrga,” keeping a centuries-old Kyrgyz skill in the public eye.