Maritime Safety & Community Remembrance: Vanuatu marked a first-ever national day of mourning and remembrance in Port Vila for more than 40 lives lost in recent boating tragedies, including the MV Matui sinking between Santo and Ambae (with 14 survivors, 2 confirmed dead, and many still missing) and another fatal crossing between Erromango and Tanna; leaders and families gathered to honour the dead and call for safer seas. Pacific Climate Diplomacy: A Reuters report says Australia’s push to spotlight Pacific nations at the pre-COP meeting in Tuvalu and Fiji is landing with a thin turnout from outside the region, with Vanuatu’s climate minister Ralph Regenvanu urging more global attention to the Pacific’s biggest threat. Regional Tourism & Trade: Fiji hosted the M4C Fiji Pacific Women Makete, bringing together artisans and vendors from Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, highlighting how travel and exchanges can spark new products and business opportunities. Travel Policy Watch: The US rolled out a visa bond programme for B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries (up to US$20,000), but India is not on the list—useful for Pacific travellers planning onward trips via the US. Vanuatu Culture & Adventure: AJ Hackett’s bungy/bungee explainer ties the sport’s roots to Naghol on Pentecost Island, reinforcing Vanuatu’s living adventure heritage for visitors.