Fuel & power costs: Samoa has moved to an “amber alert” despite holding over 50 days of fuel, triggering power shedding and remote learning—while diesel caps across the Pacific keep climbing, including Nauru’s first increase since the crisis began (diesel up ~40% to about AU$2.9/litre). Food safety & fisheries trade: EU-backed training in Suva prepares Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu for new EU freezer-vessel requirements, aimed at keeping access for about 97% of Pacific Island-flagged vessels exporting seafood to the EU. Deep-sea mining geopolitics: A new race for seabed minerals is tying Pacific island deals to U.S.-China competition, with Washington exploring leases beyond its waters and citing agreements involving Nauru and Tonga, while China has pacts with Kiribati and the Cook Islands. Agribusiness innovation: Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition finale spotlights EU/FAO-supported agrifood entrepreneurs under STODAS, backing MSMEs and agribusinesses across Samoa, Fiji and Solomon Islands. Regional industry & connectivity: The Pacific Tourism Organisation urged tighter coordination between tourism and airlines at the ASPA meeting in the Cook Islands, stressing air connectivity as a key driver for sustainable growth. Local governance & people: Nauru-linked detention reporting says a man deported from Western Australia has begun a hunger strike, raising fresh scrutiny of conditions on the island. Sports & regional hosting: Kiribati won the bid to host the 2030 Micronesian Games, beating other regional contenders after an evaluation of facilities, transport and finances.