Sugar Supply Crunch: Fiji Sugar Corporation, the Sugar Cane Growers Council and the Sugar Industry Tribunal say Lautoka Mill needs about 5,000–5,500 tonnes of cane daily but deliveries are under 2,800 tonnes, urging growers and transporters to boost harvesting and deliveries over the next 10 days. Workforce Pressure in Sugar: The Sugar Cane Growers Council warns labour shortages and higher manual harvesting costs are squeezing cane growers, with delays pushing workers into other jobs. Competition & Compliance: The Fiji Commerce and Consumer Commission warns businesses against rationing or limiting sugar purchases, saying retailers must supply the quantity customers request if payment is correct and stock is available. Education Costs Hit Higher Learning: At USP, students and lecturers say rising living costs are forcing students to skip meals or walk to campus, undermining academic performance as SDG4 progress is reported to have gone backwards. Scam Threat Escalates: UNODC warns Pacific countries are increasingly targeted by scam networks using tech and AI, with losses in the Asia-Pacific estimated at up to US$114.1b in 2025. Digital Inclusion Push: Tonga’s TNU and Christ’s University in the Pacific join a regional Pacific digital inclusion and online safety challenge in PNG, aiming to build practical solutions for cybersecurity and digital financial access. Governance & Accountability: PM Sitiveni Rabuka says the COI report doesn’t need to be tabled in Parliament, but only COI expenditure will be presented, with follow-up actions handled by OPM, DPP, FICAC and police. Public Service After Coups: A TRC discussion highlights how coups have eroded public service independence, creating a culture of fear and weakening service quality in health and education. Security Cooperation: New Zealand and PNG sign a defence cooperation deal for 2026–2029, expanding training, exercises and personnel exchanges as Pacific security competition intensifies. Real Estate Skills: Fiji National University and the Real Estate Agents Licensing Board sign an MoU to build a professional real estate education programme and continuing professional development system.