Deep-sea minerals & sovereignty: A new U.S. “Ship Rider Agreement” signing by the Solomon Islands has sparked fierce debate at home, with opposition leaders accusing the deal of “selling sovereignty” and calls to table it in parliament; regional scholars point to Pacific frameworks like the Niue Treaty as proof PICs can actively exercise control over fisheries surveillance and law enforcement. Renewables & power resilience: Niue’s new solar plus battery storage system (installed by Sunergise) is cutting reliance on diesel generators, and the same approach is being held up as a model Samoa could scale to reduce imported fuel dependence. Climate-ready infrastructure: The GEF approved NZ$24.2m for Fiji, FSM, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to strengthen early warning systems and fund pre-construction planning for flood, sea-level rise, cyclone and coastal-erosion resilience, with Niue’s meteorology director noting even small Met services are carrying growing regional responsibilities. Seabed mining diplomacy: In Samoa, the U.S. ambassador said the U.S. will respect Samoa’s position on seabed mining while offering access to environmental and sustainability expertise, framing the issue as “seabed harvesting” and an open conversation rather than pressure. Policy debate on deep-sea mining: An op-ed argues the Pacific discussion is moving beyond simple “for or against” stances toward “follow the science, protect the environment, do no harm,” highlighting different regional approaches from Nauru’s push via the ISA to others’ emphasis on assessment and safeguards.