Deep-Sea Mining Push Meets Resistance: A House Rules Committee blocked Rep. James Moylan’s bid to keep seabed mining off Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands out of FAST-41’s expedited federal review, while the House passed H.R. 1501 that permanently adds mining/mineral processing to the fast-track list—raising fresh concerns for Pacific waters. Pacific Security & Transparency: At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, leaders urged countries conducting ICBM tests to give advance notice (at least 24 hours), after China’s July test reportedly passed over islands without adequate warning. Youth Safety & Local Impact: AG Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde announced Meta’s $17.1B multistate settlement over Instagram/Facebook youth harms; American Samoa is set to receive $1.1M and Meta must impose tighter teen time limits, nighttime blocks, and stronger age-safety controls. Immigration for Critical Work: A new Senate bill proposes a one-time 90-day amnesty window for out-of-status foreign nationals to apply for a Critical Guest Worker permit tied to employers like StarKist Samoa, while a separate bill would pause a controversial immigration-law provision for 12 months. Local Food Costs: The Basic Food Index rose 0.2% in August, with increases in rice, milk, fish, and ice cream, while items like chicken, turkey tail, eggs, and sugar fell. STEM for Prevention: The Foeoletini Foundation wrapped up its PITA Jr. Summer Bootcamp, bringing STEAM and engineering basics to 10–12-year-olds as part of a substance-abuse prevention effort. Cyber Scams Warning: Cybersecurity experts urged Pasifika residents to protect themselves as AI-driven e-commerce scams surge, with Norton citing a sharp jump in local online shopping fraud. El Niño Agriculture Watch: ASCC Land Grant, NWS Pago Pago, and the Dept. of Agriculture met to discuss El Niño impacts and preparedness steps for local farmers and producers.