Out-of-Country Voting: Samoa’s Cabinet has approved Terms of Reference for a Task Force to oversee an Out-of-Country Voting Pilot, including options for eligible overseas voters and possible Electoral Act 2019 amendments for future elections. Diaspora Voting Debate: Pacific academics are urging Samoa to tread carefully on diaspora voting, warning about electoral balance and accountability when voters live far from the impacts of government decisions. Regional Leadership at PIF: The Pacific Islands Forum in Palau opened amid controversy, with major leader absences and China furious over Taiwan’s representation, while New Zealand and Australia pushed back on any outside pressure over who attends. Samoa’s Regional Priorities: Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister outlined focus areas for regional cooperation—digital and AI governance, renewable energy transition, climate leadership, and stronger support mechanisms—during the Leaders’ Dialogue. Pacific Security Push: Australia unveiled a $600m maritime crackdown plan to tackle meth and cocaine trafficking across the Pacific, with leaders in Palau set to consider the proposal. Local Policy Watch: Samoa’s September fuel update cuts petrol slightly but raises diesel and kerosene, a reminder of how quickly costs can shift for transport and services. Traditional Knowledge Protection: Samoan traditional healers are working with government agencies to develop a national framework to safeguard healing knowledge and set clearer referral pathways with doctors.