Solid-state batteries: J-Star Holding says its Baytown, Texas 100MWh modular solid-state battery plant has moved forward with a formal $60m sovereign-backed financing authorization process via Taiwan’s central bank, adding detail to its April LOI and infrastructure plans. Climate resilience & Pacific media: SPREP is coordinating a regional media capacity push to help Pacific journalists report weather and climate, with coverage tied to major Pacific meteorology meetings in Tonga. Plant knowledge exchange: Samoa’s Tiapapata Art Centre will host an international workshop (8–14 June) exploring traditional plant knowledge for climate resilience, with field trips and a community-led learning day. Ocean plastic pressure: Samoan and Pacific advocates protested Coca-Cola’s largest bottler, urging less single-use plastic and a return to reusable packaging systems. Ports leadership: Cabinet appoints Capt. Ti’amamana Foetutasi Fa’amausili as Samoa Ports Authority CEO for three years. Fisheries governance: Conservation International expands its Pacific Tuna Initiative to Palau, aiming to strengthen sustainable tuna management and regional ocean governance. Public health alert: WHO is tracking a hantavirus outbreak linked to an Antarctic cruise ship, with cases across multiple countries and hundreds monitored. Crime & finance: Samoa police froze accounts tied to alleged Samoan hitmen accused in a Vietnam killing connected to Australia’s “Coconut Cartel,” after transit through Fiji. Education milestone: USP’s Samoa campus graduation saw 224 students graduate, including 161 women. Law career: A Siumu graduate, Vaafusuaga Ayrton Afamasaga Soonalole, is admitted as a barrister and solicitor after online study through USP.