Pacific Defence & Diplomacy: Australia’s $1.5b defence push for Fiji under the Veitacini Treaty faces scrutiny in Canberra over what Fiji will contribute in return, with MPs questioning whether Australia is effectively funding multiple Fiji ministries before formal sign-on. China Missile Test: Pacific Islands Forum leaders agreed to “register concern” over China’s July ICBM test for lack of notice, stopping short of condemnation—Nauru dissented. Pacific Drug Smuggling: Albanese announced a $600m Waqa Moana initiative to boost aerial and maritime surveillance to disrupt narco-submarines and small vessels moving cocaine toward Australia. El Niño & Emergency Prep: The BoM warns this El Niño could be the worst ever, while UN warnings and UK government messaging urge households to stock supplies for extreme weather. US-Australia Defence: Marles and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth backed deeper defence ties, including a 2027 HMAS Stirling build-up with Virginia-class submarines. Housing Pressure: NAB’s Sally Auld says fixing housing affordability will take a generation, with price falls not solving supply constraints. Privacy & Data: The government’s privacy reform tranche moves toward tougher consent, enforcement and security expectations, while debate continues over smart-glasses privacy rules.