Deep-Sea Mining Push vs Local Control: U.S. plans to auction seabed mining leases near American Samoa are colliding with territorial leaders’ repeated “no,” with Gov. Nikolau Pula stressing authority ends at 3 miles while the federal government could override in the EEZ; the fight is also framed around China’s growing role in critical ocean minerals. Congressional Roadblocks: Guam Delegate James Moylan’s bid to block seabed mining from fast-tracked federal permitting failed when the House Rules Committee declined his amendment, keeping deep-sea mining eligible for expedited FAST-41 review. NOAA Mapping Meets Public Backlash: Community leaders and Greenpeace activists confronted NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer in Pago Pago waters, urging science that protects the deep ocean while questioning missions tied to future mineral extraction. El Niño Weather Warning: The National Weather Service warns a strong El Niño is likely to strengthen into early 2027, urging water conservation, heat and disaster readiness, and reporting coral bleaching or unusual reef conditions. Fisheries Science in the Spotlight: Western Pacific scientists will review fishing rules around Rose Atoll and set science-based bottomfish catch guidance for American Samoa for 2027–2030. IUU Fishing Crackdown at PIF: The U.S. announced a Pacific IUU Fishing Project to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, with American Samoa officials citing the need to deter Chinese vessels in the EEZ. Public Health Signal in the Region: Hawaiʻi DOH reported dengue virus detected in Hilo wastewater, noting no active cases currently tracked and emphasizing travel-associated risk across Pacific islands including American Samoa.