Pacific Diplomacy & Security: Japan is stepping up engagement across the Pacific, deepening ties with Fiji and the Solomon Islands through environmental cooperation, disaster-resilience, maritime work, development finance, and expanded security assistance. Niue in the Spotlight: At a second White House summit with Pacific island leaders, President Biden announced new U.S. diplomatic recognition for Niue (and the Cook Islands) and promised fresh infrastructure support, including improved internet connectivity via undersea cables. Climate Politics in the Region: Australia’s A$20m bill to host a Fiji-based Pre-COP31 climate meeting is triggering a political fight in Canberra, with the Opposition arguing it should not come at the expense of cost-of-living pressures. Local Youth & Defence Partnerships: Blue Light’s Life Skills Camp returned to Waiouru Military Camp with New Zealand Defence Force support, pushing rangatahi through sub-zero conditions and awarding Overall Excellence (Tumai Murray), Overall Merit (Sophie Shaw), and Peers’ Choice (Nathan Muller). Resource Politics (US–Territory Angle): American Samoa reiterated its “No” stance on potential offshore critical-minerals exploration tied to U.S. defence supply-chain priorities, stressing its limited legal reach but highlighting its political leverage.