Russian-Ukraine cultural loss: A Kyiv cultural manager sifted through ashes after a Russian strike destroyed thousands of books, icons, and film archives—another reminder of how war hits heritage, not just people. Media security: Ukraine’s TV and radio regulator chair Olha Herasymiuk warned that Russian hackers target Ukrainian media, citing 120+ cyberattacks and stressing digital resilience and media literacy with OSCE/SSU support. LGBT crackdown in Russia: Russia’s first “LGBT movement” prosecutions continue, with courts sentencing nightclub owner and staff in Orenburg and other cases, tightening pressure on public culture and expression. Aviation & travel links: AJet launched a new Ankara–St. Petersburg direct route, while Tanzania signed a tourism cooperation deal with Moscow and began direct flights—both moves aim to boost cultural travel and cross-border lifestyle ties. Chess & ethics: FIDE banned former world champion Vladimir Kramnik for ethics breaches, sidelining him from competitions and official roles. Cultural diplomacy & language: Kiswahili’s global push got a boost ahead of a Paris conference, highlighting how languages travel through education, tech, and diplomacy. EU sanctions: The EU added six Russian scientists to chemical-weapons sanctions tied to Navalny’s death, expanding pressure from officials to research networks.