Pre-COP31 Politics: Australia’s A$20m bill to host a UN climate pre-summit in Fiji has sparked a fight in Canberra, with the Opposition saying the spending is tone-deaf to cost-of-living pressure while the government frames it as regional climate leadership. Tuvalu-Japan Climate Diplomacy: Tuvalu PM Feleti Teo has invited Japan’s PM to attend Tuvalu’s Pre-COP31 Leaders’ Event, aiming to boost direct engagement on climate finance, resilience, and wider cooperation. Pacific AI & Digital Safety: Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers backed regional principles for AI and safer digital spaces, with plans for an AI governance framework and phased work to protect young people online. Fisheries & Ocean Economy: Forum ministers pushed stronger fisheries protection and maritime boundaries, backing the Vakamanu fisheries strategy and renewed focus on value retention for tuna-linked livelihoods and revenue. PRF Capitalisation Push: Ministers also urged faster capitalisation of the Pacific Resilience Facility to strengthen Pacific-led financing ahead of COP31 meetings. Security Tensions: Pacific unity is under strain after China’s missile test, with ministers failing to agree on a joint response; Australia has joined a US-led call for at least 24 hours’ notice of missile launches. US Visa Bond Fallout: The US has made its visa bond policy permanent for 50 countries, raising alarms for tourism and travel—an issue already hitting Pacific travellers including Tuvalu. Tuvalu in the Aid Tech Mix: TaiwanICDF marked 30 years with a book launch, highlighting programs supplying fresh produce to Tuvalu schools alongside wider digital and climate resilience support.