Deep-sea minerals & sovereignty: A Ship Rider Agreement signing between the Solomon Islands and the United States has sparked fierce debate, with opposition leaders accusing the deal of “selling sovereignty” and calls for it to be tabled in parliament; supporters and academics point to regional ocean governance frameworks like the Niue Treaty on Fisheries Surveillance and Law Enforcement as proof PICs can exercise control in practice. Renewables & power security: Niue’s new solar plus battery storage system, installed by Sunergise, is cutting reliance on diesel generators and backing the country’s push to lift renewable energy use—an approach Samoa is watching for scaling. Climate resilience funding: The Global Environment Facility approved NZ$24.2m for Fiji, FSM, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, unlocking more co-financing, to strengthen early warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure through better planning before construction—an area where Niue’s meteorology team is already carrying growing regional responsibility. Seabed mining diplomacy: In Samoa, the U.S. ambassador said Washington won’t impose seabed mining policy, framing it as respecting local decisions while connecting Samoa with environmental and industry expertise. Deep-sea minerals debate evolves: An OP-ED argues the Pacific’s deep-sea minerals conversation is moving beyond simple “for or against,” toward “follow the science, protect the environment, do no harm,” with different countries emphasizing different pathways and safeguards. Culture & creative industry: A feature reflects on Māori Niuean artist Ché Fu and his long-running influence, with his “Navigator” era still resonating through themes of identity, resilience and unity.