US–China Soft Power: Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan toured the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, spotlighting shared heritage and youth cultural exchange during Xi’s Washington state visit. AI & Diplomacy: Trump and Xi framed AI as a priority, with Xi stressing AI must stay under human control as both sides juggle trade, tech rules, and AI safety talks. Pacific Environment: At the UN, American Samoa and Nauru-backed voices pushed back on deep-sea mining, demanding clearer rules and more research before extraction. Indigenous Climate Justice: Nepal’s minister told an indigenous women and girls with disabilities conference that Dalits and indigenous communities are hit hardest by climate disasters, calling for inclusive policy. Culture & Exchange in Print: Kenya’s Nairobi International Book Fair drew schoolchildren to Chinese publishers for calligraphy, painting, and cultural activities tied to China–Africa people-to-people goals. Sports & Society: Thailand and the Philippines faced fresh Asian Games backlash—Thailand over chaotic logistics, and Gilas Women bowing out after a quarterfinal loss to Chinese Taipei. Arts & Lifestyle: Japan’s Choshi coast gets a long-term oceanfront cultural destination plan linking classical music, education, wellness, hospitality, and housing.