Tourists and locals in Madrid struggled to cope with temperatures reaching up to 40 ​degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) as ‌the first official heatwave of 2026 set in, and authorities warned of over-exposure to the sun and an ​increased risk of wildfires.

Sugarcane farmers are being urged to start harvesting as soon as possible, with the government’s $5 million fuel subsidy aimed at reducing costs for growers and cane transport operators.

The Sugar Cane Growers Fund has welcomed the additional assistance provided by government through the recently announced $5 million fuel subsidy for the sugar industry.

The Great Council of Chiefs has been urged to operate independently from government structures under the proposed Indigenous Rights Bill.

Flooding and drainage in Vaileka were the main focus as the Rakiraki Town Council appeared before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.