Labour Mobility Watch: A Pacific Islands Council of Trade Unions workshop in Port Vila heard fresh complaints from Samoan and other seasonal workers under Australia’s PALM and New Zealand’s RSE schemes, including unexplained accommodation deductions, overcrowding, mixed-gender rooms, rushed shower times, and limits on cooking traditional food. Visa Rules Impact: A Vanuatu journalist was denied entry to Palau and sent back to Manila after lacking required pre-arrival approval under Palau’s new rules, warning he could run out of money for food if his route home isn’t fixed soon. Regional Politics & Security: Pacific leaders are heading to Palau for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting with a tougher agenda shaped by geopolitics, transnational crime, economic pressure, and the push for stronger regional unity. Justice Cooperation: PNG and Vanuatu public prosecutors signed an MoU in Port Vila focused on capacity building and professional exchange, including enabling prosecutors to travel and support cases. Tourism & Cruise Signals: Royal Caribbean and other cruise operators are expanding Asia-Pacific sailings for 2028, with itineraries including South Pacific stops such as Port Vila, while Don Farrell says cruise is back on the agenda for his upcoming New Zealand trip. Vanuatu Resort Growth: Warwick Hotels and Resorts flagged a major $200m expansion and renovation plan across Fiji, and also pointed to adding 100 rooms at Warwick Le Lagon in Vanuatu.