Youth & Education: Samoa launched its Samoa Youth Policy 2026–2031 and re-established the Samoa Youth Advisory Committee, aiming to boost youth leadership, education, jobs, wellbeing and participation, guided by the theme “Toe Timata le Upega” (Cast the Net Anew). STEM for Kids: More than 30 children from Upolu and Savai’i took part in robotics and coding workshops run by Lumanai Samoa and the Samoa Early Learning Foundation with partners and the Ministry of Education and Culture, learning basic coding by programming LEGO-based robots. Culture & Tourism Branding: Samoa’s long-running Teuila Festival has been renamed the Measina Festival, with the same familiar programme of performances, races and crafts under the new registration and competition dates. Samoa-China Education Ties: China Scholarship Night welcomed Chinese Ambassador Fei Mingxing, with Samoa Public Service Commission and National University of Samoa leaders encouraging recipients to excel and act as bridges of friendship. Environment & Heritage Learning: Moata’a Primary School unveiled a dual-language digital animation, “Mangroves: Guardians of the Brink,” spotlighting mangroves’ role in coastal protection and marine life. Sports & Respect: Samoa’s Ministry of Family and Social Affairs delivered gender-based violence awareness training to the National Rugby League community, focusing on prevention and respectful relationships. Ava Health Concern: Samoa’s ‘ava tradition faces new worries after reports of a destructive cucumber mosaic virus targeting ‘ava plants, with samples collected for study. Entertainment Loss: Tributes continue following the death of former WWE wrestler Siva Afi, a Samoan-born performer remembered for his fireknife dancing and charisma.