Hospital Contract Accountability: Health Minister Va’aaoao Solamalemalo Alofipo finally answered questions over the SAT$2.33m national hospital cleaning contract, saying he personally cancelled EME Pacific’s deal after it failed expectations and explaining the switch to Arabella’s Cleaning. Public Safety & Policing: Police and NUS are dealing with campus brawls after at least 18 students were identified in video of fights at the National University of Samoa, leaving one student with head injuries and raising concerns about escalating retaliations. RSE Worker Welfare: Samoa’s PM wrapped a major New Zealand consultation with 700+ RSE workers in Blenheim, while a Samoan nurse warned some young workers face serious illnesses (including cancers and heart conditions) that may not be covered once contracts and insurance end back home. Regional Sports Diplomacy: Associate Sports Minister Fiu Ponifasio Vasa led Samoa’s delegation to the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Glasgow, as Pacific teams prepare for the Commonwealth Games. Energy Costs Watch: Oil prices surged to US$100 a barrel amid Middle East tensions, renewing worries about higher fuel and knock-on costs for Samoa. Youth Policy: Samoa launched its Youth Policy 2026–2031 and re-established a Youth Advisory Committee to expand youth leadership, education, jobs and wellbeing. Legal & Governance: The Supreme Court struck out an HRPP-related bid tied to a police-named court filing, and reserved decisions in other high-profile cases.