Innovation & Trade Links: SITI’s Prof Sun Dong met New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon in Auckland and used the China Business Summit to push deeper AI, life/health tech, and fintech collaboration, positioning Hong Kong as shifting from finance to innovation and inviting R&D groups and start-ups to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Energy & Cost Pressures: A new timeline shows how the Pacific fuel crisis drove sharp diesel and electricity cost spikes (including Fiji doubling diesel ceilings and Samoa lifting them by more than two thirds), pushing governments toward donor support and faster solar and renewables planning. Climate Risk & Resilience: SPREP urged Pacific communities to prepare for El Niño now underway, stressing early action to protect families as impacts vary by country. Niue Governance & Industry: Niue’s budget is under scrutiny as deficits grow and community spending is left out, raising questions for local services and industry support. Regional Security & Crime: Tonga police warn crime is becoming more regional and digital, while broader Pacific security discussions continue to shape policy priorities.