Foreign Service Shuffle: Solo Mara is appointed Permanent Secretary for Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, taking over from Raijeli Taga with a three-week handover as Fiji pushes a bigger diplomatic and trade agenda. Public Service Accountability: Women’s groups are challenging the appointment of Pita Wise as Permanent Secretary for Public Enterprises, pointing to a 2024 sexual harassment allegation and asking what happened to the complaint and whether recruitment was transparent. Health Crisis Response: Fiji declares HIV a national crisis and will introduce a formal needle and syringe programme alongside expanded testing and prevention options. Health Funding Debate: Fiji Medical Association calls for higher taxes on junk food, kava and alcohol to tackle non-communicable diseases, while hospital fees remain undecided. Climate Resilience for SMEs: Fiji launches its first climate risk parametric insurance for micro, small and medium businesses, with payouts triggered by agreed climate conditions to speed recovery after shocks. Election Readiness: The Elections Office says it has time and resources to train thousands of election officials, with training running to November. El Niño Preparedness: Government steps up preparations for severe El Niño impacts, urging water and power conservation. Regional Links & Investment: Guangdong eyes Fiji as a gateway for trade and investment, while a $60m hotel development in Nadi moves ahead. Justice & Parliament: The Electoral Commission confirms the parliamentary seat left vacant after Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh’s death will remain vacant until the next general election.