Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Conservation and community groups sued the U.S. government to stop a Trump plan to move ahead with deep-sea mining lease sales off the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, arguing regulators rubberstamped impacts on threatened species and critical habitat. Local Health Enforcement: American Samoa’s Environmental Health Services shut down two businesses and a government building after inspections found serious sanitation and public health violations. Human Trafficking Case: DHS arrested and charged a Vietnamese couple in American Samoa over alleged trafficking and labor exploitation, with a preliminary examination scheduled in District Court. ASG ARPA Interest Scrutiny: Senators pressed for details on a reported $10 million investment of ARPA interest funds, with testimony that the transfer went to a Kansas firm but no return had been seen as of late August. Territorial Immigration Policy: A new Senate bill proposes a one-time Critical Guest Worker Amnesty Program for foreign nationals out of status, aimed at keeping workers available for StarKist Samoa and other “critical” employers. Youth Safety & Social Media: American Samoa is included in a multistate Meta settlement totaling up to $17.1 billion, requiring new limits and safeguards for children and teens on Instagram and Facebook. Education Leadership: American Samoa Community College named Ti’alemasunu Tupuola Dr. Mikaele Etuale as its next president, effective Sept. 8. Business & Trade Spotlight: A study on mobile broadband costs ranked the UK 46th by average price per 1GB, underscoring how telecom pricing varies widely across markets.