Afghan Asylum Strain: Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan say they’re stuck in limbo while awaiting processing and third-country transfer, facing economic hardship, psychological stress, limited education for children, and fear of forced deportation. Bilateral Health Links: Tajikistan and Oman discussed expanding cooperation between healthcare institutions, including staff training, specialist skills exchange, and a planned bilateral healthcare document with official visits. Mercury Monitoring for Health: A Tajikistan-linked research team helped publish a new mercury dataset for the “Third Pole,” aiming to improve risk assessment and reduce mercury pollution impacts on environmental and human health. Extreme Heat Pressure: Central Asia’s mid-July heat is straining roads, power grids and emergency services, raising health risks as temperatures push beyond 40°C. Heat-Ready Hospitals: WHO Europe urged countries to treat extreme-heat hospital preparedness like pandemic readiness, warning against overheated wards and failing cooling and information systems. One Health Reporting for Avian Flu: A One Health webinar trained journalists to report zoonotic risks like H5N1 responsibly, to prevent panic and improve public understanding. Tajikistan Labor Market Watch: A new Tajik labor survey shows low participation—especially for women and youth—with underutilization rising beyond the official unemployment rate. Medical Education Access: Shaheen Group says it’s opening admissions support for students to Central Asian medical universities, including Tajikistan, with coaching for India’s FMGE exam. Health Care Diplomacy via TCM: International visitors at Peking Union Medical College Hospital tried traditional Chinese medicine therapies, highlighting growing interest in integrated care approaches.