Public Health & Media Narratives: In the Philippines, Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña pushed back on President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address claims linking “fake news” and pornography to rising HIV/AIDS, arguing stigma, misinformation, and underfunded services are the real drivers. Art & Identity in the Spotlight: Filipina R&B singer Denise Julia faced backlash after performing in Tondo on the US series “From the Block,” with critics calling it “poverty porn,” while she defended the concept as a direct showcase of her community. Culture as Diplomacy: China’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, highlighted Bangladesh–China cultural exchanges as a key pillar of ties, including cooperation on arts, intangible heritage, and education. Community Creativity: A UK primary school turned its hall into a gallery for pupils’ work, from ceramics to interactive Kandinsky-inspired art. Public Art for Emerging Artists: Asbury Park launched a Mural Practice Wall at City Hall, giving local artists a place to test large-scale designs before permanent installations. Heritage Protection: Gujarat’s Rathwa Pithora painting received a GI tag, aiming to preserve the tradition and boost livelihoods for tribal artists. Pop Culture Cycles: A piece on Gen Z nostalgia explains the “20-year rule” and “anemoia,” unpacking why Y2K and early-2000s trends are back.