Marine Science in Samoa: A National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition is surveying Sāmoan waters with divers, deep-sea cameras, submersibles and environmental DNA, finding pristine deep reefs alongside damaged shallow ones from climate change and overfishing. Biodiversity Spotlight: Remote underwater cameras also recorded an endangered leopard shark in Sāmoan waters—rarely documented there—adding a new photographic confirmation for the region. Disaster Response Tech: SFESA tackled two bush fire incidents in Savai‘i (Samalaeulu and Falealupo), using drone tech for aerial visibility and coordination while dry, windy conditions drove rapid spread. Regional Flood Readiness: Pacific partners are training meteorology and hydrology teams on impact-based flood forecasting, with Fiji’s Ba Catchment selected as a pilot area alongside Tonga’s Tongatapu. Illegal Fishing Monitoring: Operation Island Chief 2026 flagged 16 vessels of interest and apprehended four, using satellite monitoring, remote sensing, aerial and surface patrols across 27.5 million km². Future-Forward Policy: A Pacific youth advocate backs a Future Generations Act, but says it must be written with young Pacific voices at the centre. Diplomacy Link: India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Muanpuii Saiawi, is also accredited as High Commissioner to Niue, with residence in Wellington. Tech & Skills (Regional): Eaton and Singapore Polytechnic signed an MoU to build next-generation power infrastructure talent, including 800VDC systems for AI-ready data centres. Crypto Incentives (Local Economy Angle): HTX says its TradFi Trade to Earn Phase 2 ended with nearly 59,000 USDT returned to users and a big jump in TradFi futures volume.