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A round-up of upbeat and civic-focused stories: in lighter fare, Samba the runaway capybara has captured public imagination in the UK, drawing volunteers, specialist dog units and thermal drones to a nationwide search, while Tokyo’s Nakameguro has introduced view‑blocking screens to manage booming cherry‑blossom crowds and protect a beloved spring tradition. Sport and culture saw highs as Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto signed off with a fourth world figure‑skating title before retiring, and the Vatican prepared a notable European trip as Pope Leo visits Monaco — the first papal visit there in 488 years. On demographics and policy, foreign residents in Japan topped a record 4.13 million in 2025, reflecting changing migration patterns, and the UK moved to lift the two‑child benefit cap from 6 April, a change expected to provide around £300 a month to some low‑income families. In governance, the U.S. House passed a temporary funding bill to end a Homeland Security funding lapse, averting an immediate shutdown and keeping services funded while longer‑term talks continue.