Seasonal Workforce: Samoa’s Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt is in New Zealand meeting Samoan workers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, with talks across Napier, Wellington and Blenheim plus discussions with employers on wellbeing and recent Cabinet decisions for the programme. Diplomacy & Trade: Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela backed Pacific priorities at the OACPS Council of Ministers in Brussels, calling for a modernised, streamlined OACPS and pushing practical delivery on climate resilience, the blue economy and the Samoa Agreement. Food Prices & Supply: Vegetable prices in Samoa are rising as wet weather cuts harvests, while higher seeds, fertiliser, labour and fuel/transport costs squeeze farmers and lift market prices. Energy & Transport Costs: EPC has scheduled power outages in western Upolu for maintenance tied to the Afega bridge works, and Samoa’s inflation is being driven heavily by transport costs, with fuel price jumps feeding into higher consumer prices. Environment & Waste: Communities are pushing back after Coca-Cola replaced Samoa’s refillable glass bottles with single-use plastic in 2021, arguing the change worsens pollution where recycling options are limited. Local Business Pressure: Some Samoan shop owners say foreign-owned competitors are undercutting prices and draining customers, making it harder for locally owned businesses to survive. Regional Marine Protection: Melanesian nations move toward a large transboundary marine protected area corridor (MOCOR), with Solomon Islands joining plans announced by PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji.