Art & Diplomacy: Nepal and Japan mark 70 years of ties with a Nov. 22 cultural festival in Kathmandu, featuring Japanese band Godiego and Nepali performers, with surplus funds going to disaster relief. Film Policy: Nepal’s information minister says the government will back films rooted in art and national importance, including support for a team representing the country at the Academy Awards. Exhibition Spotlight: “The Art of Meaning” at Al Riwaq Art Space turns existential anxiety into a three-part show—crisis, process and arrival—inviting viewers to sit with big questions. Community Culture: Bishop’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration blends music, dance, food and conservation-themed events for Latino Conservation Week. Pop Art Loss: Psychedelic pop artist Peter Max dies at 88, remembered for flower-power visuals that spread from stamps to major events. Public Art & Access: Seoul’s Welcome Week (Sept. 19–Oct. 11) adds multilingual tourism perks, heritage passes and K-culture programming across the city. Street-Stage Energy: Seoul Street Arts Festival transforms the Han River and Seoul Forest into open-air stages with puppets, circus acts and audience-moving performances. Arts Funding Debate: South Africa’s Bonang Matheba challenges arts minister Gayton McKenzie to prioritize local artists’ funding before chasing big international shows. Music & Activism: Macklemore donates his full $1M Ed Sheeran tour earnings to Palestinian aid groups and challenges Robert Kraft to match it. Art & Identity: A Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, is recognized as the first woman in the category, calling out how power networks historically sidelined women. Cultural Heritage: Lebanon returns 37 smuggled ancient Egyptian artefacts to Egypt after investigations and international cooperation. Arts in Motion: Artpace’s fall residency exhibition debuts new international artists after an eight-week program shaped by community engagement.