Maritime Safety & Accountability: Vanuatu has ended the search for people missing after the MV Matui ferry sank off Santo to Ambae, with 39 feared dead; 14 survivors and two bodies were recovered, and Vanuatu’s Maritime Safety Authority has lodged criminal complaints against the captain, owners and management over alleged breaches, including warnings about overloading and passenger authorisation not being in place. Climate & Travel Risk: El Niño conditions are worsening across the Pacific, with Papua New Guinea reporting frost, destroyed crops and shrinking water supplies—an early warning for food and community resilience that can also ripple into travel and tourism planning. Visa & Mobility Watch: Australia published its Transit Without Visa (TWOV) rules for eligible travellers transiting via airports, while passport access updates show Vanuatu among visa-free destinations for Pakistani passport holders—useful for travellers mapping routes through the region. Regional Tourism Context: UN Tourism data points to strong growth in some markets, with Vanuatu listed among destinations posting notable gains in 2026. Sports & Culture: The MSG Prime Ministers Cup kicks off in Suva with PNG taking on defending champions Vanuatu, adding another Melanesian drawcard for visitors in Fiji.