Informatics Education Boost: The 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI 2026) opened in Tashkent for the first time, with 386 students from 97 countries competing and Uzbekistan’s digital push framed around Muhammad al-Khwarizmi’s “algorithm” legacy. Space & Earth Observation: Uzbekistan’s space push continues with new satellite milestones, including the Samarkand-2028 AI module reaching orbit and the launch of the country’s first remote sensing satellite. AI Strategy: Uzbekistan accelerates AI development with new strategic goals, aiming to rank among the top 50 in AI readiness by 2030. Science & Heritage: Archaeologists report the oldest known silkworm cocoons outside China found in Uzbekistan, dating to around 2000 B.C., reshaping Silk Road timelines. Agriculture & Exports: Khorezm’s Melon Festival 2026 in Khazorasp sets a Guinness World Record, with hundreds of hectares under cultivation and melon varieties promoted for international markets. Regional Industry Growth: Uzbekistan’s regional transformation spotlighted Urgut’s industrial expansion via its Free Economic Zone, linking jobs, exports, and foreign investment. Energy & Water Tech: Uzbekistan and partners discuss hydropower and pumped-storage investment, while technical regulation talks with Malaysia focus on food safety standards and lab cooperation. Earthquakes: Kyrgyzstan’s seismology institute recorded three earthquakes near the Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan border, including a quake around magnitude 3.