Flood Response: UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent condolences over severe flooding in Nepal and China, saying UN teams are mobilizing supplies and personnel for the government-led response. Cabinet & Appointments: India’s Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar defended B Nagendra’s Cabinet induction after an official report found he was not involved in the Valmiki Corporation scam, and said a woman minister will be inducted soon. Middle East Diplomacy: Qatar’s prime minister will visit Tehran to push de-escalation, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions persist after stalled US-Iran understandings. UK Jobs & Energy Costs: UK PM Andy Burnham began a Wales visit touting “good jobs,” while UK energy officials acknowledged Net Zero policy and the Iran war are both driving higher bills as the energy price cap rises. Caribbean Governance & Finance: St Maarten’s finance minister laid out “stabilize, repair, reform” tax changes with a visitor levy targeted for January 2027, while the justice minister rejected claims of personal influence in a politically charged detention/early-release debate. Youth, Health & Substance Policy: St Maarten’s education minister warned cannabis use is already affecting schools, arguing leaders must act now rather than treat it as a future problem. Corruption & Courts: Libya’s PM Dbeibeh met Qatar’s foreign ministry minister on unity and mediation, while a court case in Fiji/region saw a president join as respondent in a prime minister’s appeal over a corruption commission removal.