TAPI Progress in Herat: Taliban officials say construction of the Afghanistan section of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India gas pipeline has hit 52% completion, with 80 km laid and 72.3 km of pipe delivered from Turkmenistan; authorities expect the full 130-km Herat segment to finish by end-2026. Military Graduation Ceremony: In Ashgabat, Turkmenistan held a ceremony for graduates of the Military Academy and other defense and law-enforcement higher education institutions, where new officers swore an oath and received certificates. Regional Research Forum in Kabul: Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Ministry announced a Kabul meeting of research centers from Afghanistan, Central Asia and Azerbaijan to discuss connectivity, stability, trade, energy, transit and policy recommendations. Turkmen-Azerbaijan Diplomatic Push: Turkmenistan’s ambassador says President Serdar Berdimuhamedov is preparing an official visit to Azerbaijan, with several bilateral documents expected to be signed. Oil & Gas Procurement: Berdimuhamedov approved major purchases of steel pipes and drilling equipment for Türkmengaz and Türkmennebit, plus updated tender procedures for transport and communications procurement. SCRMET Auction Results: Turkmenistan’s SCRMET reports 54 foreign-currency transactions totaling $19.507m, including LNG and other goods bought by UAE, Türkiye and others. UN Games Launch: Turkmenistan-backed UN Games 2026 officially opened in a virtual ceremony, with sport diplomacy framed as a tool for peace and development. Digital Border Management Training: IOM trained Turkmen partners on digital tools for integrated border management, including data exchange and migration case systems. Cultural Heritage Restoration: U.S. Getty Museum experts arrived in Turkmenistan to continue restoring a rare 5th-century Buddha sculpture from Ancient Merv, using 3D replication to aid stabilization. Information Controls Report: A new watchdog report says Turkmenistan is tightening digital controls, including crackdowns on tools used to bypass censorship.