South China Sea Diplomacy: The US, UK and a dozen other countries reiterated that China’s expansive South China Sea claims are illegal under the 2016 Hague arbitration, calling out “destabilizing” actions that threaten regional peace. West Asia Escalation: The US launched a third round of strikes on Iran after alleging IRGC attacks on a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran’s IRGC announced the strait is closed “until further notice.” Legal Push: Iran says it will pursue prosecutions of US and Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes through international legal mechanisms. Maritime Incident: A container ship off Oman suffered damage and a fire; the crew abandoned ship and went to lifeboats. South Asia Security: Pakistan’s Balochistan faces another deadly wave of attacks amid an ongoing insurgency, with Iran expressing solidarity and urging cooperation against terrorism. Trade Talks: India and Canada wrapped the third CEPA negotiation round in Ottawa, targeting a 2026 conclusion. Population Policy: Bhutan launched “Third Child Plus,” offering monthly cash incentives to address an “existential” population crisis. Local Governance/Business: Haryana rolled out an upgraded QR “Track and Trace” system for liquor plus online excise services, aiming for tighter oversight and less illicit trade. Culture & Society: South Asian Heritage Month celebrations drew families in the UK, while India’s Uttarakhand CM helped a resident start a jute-bag business by delivering a sewing machine the same day.