Plastic Crisis Push: Kiribati is calling for stronger global upstream action as plastic waste keeps piling up locally—about 9.7 tonnes a day—overwhelming limited treatment options and land space. Pacific Economic Strain: A new World Bank update warns growth across the Pacific is losing momentum, with uncertainty, high fuel costs, inflation, and repeated shocks keeping incomes below pre-pandemic trends. Maternal Health Collaboration: Fiji and Kiribati are coordinating on maternal care, child nutrition, and social protection to cut infant deaths and improve support for pregnant mothers. Climate-Health Gap: Coverage highlights that care services are still missing from climate adaptation plans, even as El Niño-linked drought, flooding, and disease risks threaten the most vulnerable. Health Advocacy Through Media: A Camp Lejeune water contamination survivor is using AI and music to push for compensation and attention to long-term health harms. Regional Security Talks: The Cook Islands and New Zealand have restarted defence and security cooperation after a China-related spat.