Pacific Security: Samoa says China’s July 6 intercontinental ballistic missile test was “legal under international law” and not aimed at any country, but the government stresses the need for “timely, transparent and considered” communication and reiterates its commitment to the Ocean of Peace and the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone. Regional Pushback: Tuvalu’s PM also condemned the launch as a “grave and serious” breach of Pacific nuclear-free aspirations, urging superpowers to stop using the Pacific as a military testing ground. Australia–Pacific Diplomacy: As Australia hosts Samoa, Tonga and PNG leaders in Brisbane, the wider regional response is building toward a strong Pacific Islands Forum joint statement against the missile test. Sport as Statecraft: Samoa joined a AU$250m, 10-year Pacific Rugby League Partnership signed in Brisbane, with funding for grassroots sport, school programs, girls’ competitions, and violence-prevention youth initiatives—plus a promise to explore NRL and NRLW matches in the Pacific. Courts & Rights: FAST Party has been granted leave to intervene in HRPP’s judicial review challenge over the Fono Faavae governance setup and chairperson selections. Child Welfare Policy: Samoa and New Zealand are holding talks to improve adoption processes and consider lifting a temporary suspension that blocks automatic NZ citizenship for some Samoan children adopted in NZ. Land & Economy: 10,000 acres of STEC land have been reallocated to the Ministry of Lands and the Samoa Export Authority for agriculture and export development.