Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: Pacific leaders are gathering in Koror, but the summit’s unity message is dented by major absences, including Samoa’s PM La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, Fiji, Vanuatu and Kiribati, while Solomon Islands PM Matthew Wale has left after a no-confidence motion. Energy and cost pressure: A new regional peace and security report warns fuel shocks and rising living costs can spill into wider instability, with Samoa flagged as vulnerable due to heavy reliance on imported fuel. Power reliability: EPC reports two power pole fires over the weekend—Tanumapua (Palisi Feeder) and Matautu—disrupting supply before repairs restored electricity. Labour rights for seasonal workers: Samoa First Union says Samoan workers under Australia’s PALM and New Zealand’s RSE schemes are raising concerns about unexplained accommodation deductions and overcrowding. Skills pipeline: Five Samoans win JICA SDG Global Leader scholarships to study in Japan, aiming to return with skills for Samoa’s development. Governance and spending: Samoa Cabinet approves about $360,000 tālā for a minister’s medical treatment in New Zealand. Health politics spillover: US lawmakers renew calls for a criminal probe of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after documents contradict his claims about a 2019 Samoa trip tied to measles deaths. Local business: A Samoan-linked crypto platform, ZMO, launches a 1-click crypto and stock futures exchange in Samoa.