Pacific Rugby League Partnership: Samoa has signed on to a AU$250m, 10-year Pacific Rugby League Partnership in Brisbane, with Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese and leaders from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and PNG backing school rugby league, grassroots sport and youth/violence-prevention programs. Commonwealth Games Prep: Team Samoa has completed its final pre-departure briefing for Glasgow, with a 39-member delegation (21 athletes) set to leave next week for weightlifting, boxing, swimming, athletics and judo. Banking Leadership: ANZ announced Terence Low as its new Samoa Country Head from September 2026, replacing Sucharu Tandon, as part of a wider Pacific restructure. Conservation: The Samoa Conservation Society became BirdLife International’s 125th partner, aiming to boost protection for the critically endangered Manumea. Public Service Change: MNRE CEO Lealaisalanoa Frances Brown Reupena has resigned, ending 20 years in Samoa’s public service. Regional Security: Samoa reaffirmed its commitment to peace and nuclear-free principles after China’s July 6 missile launch, saying it was informed after the event and stressing transparent communication. Local Politics: Tuia Fuatogi Letoa is set to return to Parliament as FAST’s Safata 2 MP after a landslide by-election win. Adoption Talks: Samoa and New Zealand are discussing lifting a temporary suspension that blocks Samoan children adopted by NZ families from automatically receiving NZ citizenship. Culture & Youth: Falealili’s “Ne’i Galo Lou Aganu’u” festival returns this Saturday, with traditional song and dance for young performers and free public entry.