Halk Maslahaty Prep: Turkmenistan is stepping up preparations for the upcoming Halk Maslahaty, with velayat, city and etrap officials, Mejlis deputies, political parties and public groups coordinating events ahead of Independence Day. International Coverage Push: The foreign ministry says Turkmenistan’s embassy in Türkiye is backing the “Turkic World” portal to run a dedicated section tracking preparations and proceedings for the Halk Maslahaty, including speeches and decisions. Education & Youth: Turkmen schoolchildren won 10 awards (6 gold, 4 silver) at the IWISE Global Final London 2026, competing in robotics events like line-follower, maze-solving and mini-sumo. Sports Spotlight: Turkmenistan’s athletes also continue to rack up results, including football and martial arts updates, while the wider region’s youth tournaments keep featuring Turkmenistan in qualification pots. Regional Connectivity Watch: Russia’s deputy PM Marat Khusnullin floated an overland rail route toward the Indian Ocean that could run through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan—framed as a hedge against disruptions at Hormuz and the Bosphorus. Water Diplomacy: Central Asian states approved steps to automate water accounting for the Syrdarya basin and discussed 2026 reservoir limits, with Turkmenistan’s water committee represented.