Sugar Belt Support: Fiji approved a jump in manual cane harvesting pay from $3 to $5 a tonne, with Parliament’s sugar committee also pushing more police patrols in cane-growing areas to protect standing crops and reassure farmers. Fiji Airways & Tourism: Government and tourism bodies defended a temporary 5% Tourism Services Turnover Tax to keep Fiji Airways operating at full capacity after a reported US$66.4m fuel hit, while the airline rolled out cost cuts including fuel-saving planning and tighter spending. Renewables Finance: EFL and FNPF are exploring a proposed $2b renewable energy joint venture covering hydro, solar and battery storage to cut fossil fuel reliance and boost energy resilience. Rural Access & Farming Viability: A $96k farm road in Makolei, Bua is improving access for 52 households, while multiple stories highlight mechanisation as the way to handle labour shortages in sugarcane. Climate-smart Agriculture: USP researcher Abhineshwar Vinay Prasad is developing climate-smart taro practices to protect soil health and yields under harsher Pacific conditions. Forestry Innovation: Fiji Pine opened a science and innovation hub at Lololo Station to strengthen plantation management and long-term sustainability. Maritime Security: The RFMF Navy launched “The Headmark” Strategic Plan 2035, outlining upgrades in surveillance, patrol response, hydrography, logistics and partnerships. Outer-Island Fuel Pressure: Taveuni fuel stations ran dry after shipping disruptions, renewing calls for the government to absorb outer-island fuel costs rather than passing higher freight charges to residents.