Pacific Security: US, Japan and South Korea ran the five-day Sea of Japan drills “Freedom Edge,” rehearsing ship/air coordination and support tasks, then North Korea followed with missile tests the next day—raising the temperature around the Korean Peninsula. Climate & Weather Services: The 8th Pacific Meteorological Council meeting in Nuku’alofa highlighted upgrades to early warning and forecasting across the region, including Tonga’s new multi-hazard centre, Kiribati’s station upgrades, and Tuvalu’s AI-assisted severe weather monitoring. Education Policy: A major consultation on New Zealand’s NCEA found strong support for improving the system, but many educators, students and families want refinement rather than replacement—while the government’s plan would phase in new certificates from 2028 to 2030. Pacific Business & Culture: Fiji’s kava policy and farmer-profit focus, plus the 10-year Pacific Fusion Fashion Show milestone, point to continued momentum in Pacific creative and rural value chains.