Pacific Islands Forum: Leaders in Palau will decide next week how “partners” fit into the Forum’s regional architecture, with new governance rules on access, privileges and partner “graduation” expected to roll out from next year. Japan–India Culture & Tech: Commerce minister Piyush Goyal wraps up a four-day Japan visit, saying the India–Japan partnership is shifting beyond the old template of Japanese capital/tech and Indian market/talent toward emerging sectors like semiconductors, AI, clean energy and robotics. Indigenous Maritime Milestones (India): The Indian Navy will commission the diving support vessel “Nipun” and has received the multi-purpose vessel “Samarthak,” both framed as major steps in Atmanirbhar defence shipbuilding. Entertainment & Pop Culture: Sony Music becomes top shareholder of GungHo Online Entertainment; meanwhile, Bandai Namco launches Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters with 22 national teams and 110+ characters. Music & Identity: Nagaland’s artists push outward via Japan and New Delhi showcases, including Soundscapes of India Season 3, while a West Bengal rally warns of “threat culture” on a university campus. Art & Global Attention: Yayoi Kusama, the polka-dot icon behind the Infinity Mirror Rooms, dies at 97. Disaster Watch (Nepal–China): Flash floods from a Tibet lake threat have killed 580+ and left nearly 2,000 missing, with foreign rescues reported near the border.