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Today's roundup highlights a mix of diplomatic progress, policy stability and steps to protect culture and privacy. DR Congo and Rwanda agreed to ease tensions after talks in the United States, a welcome de‑escalation in regional relations. Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, arrived in Washington for high‑level talks while Tokyo publicly clarified its position amid recent intelligence reporting, underscoring ongoing diplomatic engagement and communication between allies. Central banks signalled steadiness: the Bank of Japan kept its benchmark rate unchanged and the Bank of England was widely expected to hold rates, reflecting cautious monetary management as economies watch inflation and growth. In technology and the creative industries, Sony removed some 135,000 AI‑generated deepfakes of its artists’ music from streaming platforms, a notable move to protect creators and address emerging AI misuse. At home in France, left‑of‑center parties continued to negotiate local alliances ahead of municipal runoffs, illustrating grassroots political collaboration, and online privacy drew attention after a report of 20,226 tracking requests in a week, prompting renewed focus on digital transparency. Together these items paint a picture of measured governance, active diplomacy and attention to cultural and digital protections.