National Day Eve in Malaysia: Crowds packed Kuala Lumpur’s Dataran Merdeka for a 90-minute concert blending music, dance and storytelling of national history, while Putrajaya and Selangor held midnight countdowns and fireworks. Community wins and culture at home: Gainesville Housing Authority celebrated residents’ education and job milestones at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center. Food as a bridge: Manchester Community Library’s CommUNITY Gatherings returns Sept. 2 with Burmese flavors, crafts and conversation—no prior knowledge needed. Tech meets culture: Saudi Arabia’s LEAP 2026 opens in Riyadh with major announcements across AI, mobility and gaming. Black culture in pop form: Former Spotify exec Jay Norman launches Verse + Hook, aiming to treat Black consumers as the mainstream audience. Heritage through performance: Mali’s Mariam Bagayoko, still dancing at 88, keeps Beledougou musical traditions alive on global stages. Language and identity tensions: Maharashtra’s Marathi Ekikaran Samiti protests an extra year for drivers to learn Marathi. Ukrainian independence abroad: Dublin marks Ukraine’s 35th anniversary with workshops, family activities and a remembrance moment. Sports-day culture: Jordan’s Education Council recommends university trustee appointments, while National Sports Day coverage highlights how tradition and youth sport intersect.