SCO at 25: Twenty-five years after its 2001 founding, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is being framed as a broader Eurasian platform for dialogue, shared development, and cultural exchange—not just security. Human Rights & Detention: In Kyrgyzstan, activist Mavlyan Askarbekov has been arrested and placed in pretrial custody for two months, with charges tied to incitement to hostility; separate reporting also highlights Mansur Movlaev’s claims of rights violations in Kazakhstan detention. Gender Rights: A draft anti-trans bill in Kyrgyzstan would prohibit legal gender recognition and ban gender-affirming care for minors, drawing sharp criticism from Human Rights Watch. Health & Lifestyle: Kyrgyzstan is betting on reality TV to tackle obesity, with government employees training for an amateur triathlon as a public example. Sports & Community: Bishkek hosted an international MMA tournament and a Night Run with 3,500 participants, while Osh held a volleyball championship among mothers. Transport & Infrastructure: President Japarov joined the start of the Balykchy–Tamchy–Cholpon-Ata railway construction, citing rising rail freight and passenger numbers. Culture & Travel: Bishkek welcomed the “Pomegranate Garden” exhibition, and Kyrgyzstan and Georgia are pushing education and direct-flight talks; UAE–Issyk-Kul direct flights are also in the works for summer 2026.