Youth Mental Health Research: Samoa-linked researchers are testing whether better sleep and circadian routines can ease anxiety and depression in Pacific youth, after Samoa’s Ministry of Health flagged rising mental health needs. Climate & Ocean Science: A new Samoa study tracks seawater carbon chemistry in the Savaia Village marine protected area on Upolu, finding lower alkalinity and pH that could mean higher acidification pressure on reefs and fisheries. Health Crisis Watch (Fiji): Fiji has declared an HIV national crisis as infections surge, with officials urging travel insurance and warning that healthcare limits are worse outside urban centres. Regional Weather Readiness: Pacific leaders at the 8th Pacific Meteorological Council meeting highlighted upgrades to early warning systems, including AI forecasting in Tuvalu and new multi-hazard centres in Tonga. Food Security Risk (Bananas): Samoa farmers report Panama disease spreading through banana crops, raising fears for a staple food and household income. Sports & Tech Prep (Golf): Samoa’s Ligaliga is preparing for the Pacific Cup in Tahiti after El Niño drought hardens local fairways, forcing players to adjust technique. Culture & Craft: A traditional stitch-plank va’a folau has returned to Samoa after more than a century, reviving canoe-building knowledge for a new generation. Governance & Identity: Maulolo Mulitalo Tavita Amosa questions NUS silence over renaming the Teuila Festival to Measina, arguing the university should weigh in on cultural and language impacts. Regional Security: Australia announced a major plan to target cocaine smuggling routes across Pacific islands, including semi-submersibles. Tech Industry (Optics): Semtech unveiled 224G optical connectivity solutions aimed at speeding up near- and co-packaged optics for AI data centres.