Ocean & Climate Diplomacy: A senior international law expert says public promises in global ocean and climate talks often don’t match what happens behind closed doors, with Pacific and Global South voices sidelined in negotiations on issues like deep-sea mining and ocean biodiversity. World Oceans Day (Vanuatu): Vanuatu’s Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu urged urgent ocean stewardship, calling the ocean “central” to development and warning of a “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Ocean Protection (PNG–Vanuatu link): Papua New Guinea announced a major Western Manus Marine Protected Area with a total fishing ban, aiming to protect biodiversity and connect reserves across the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves that includes Vanuatu. Nutrition Policy: Doctors and health groups are pushing for mandatory health star ratings on packaged foods to tackle obesity, arguing voluntary labels aren’t reaching enough people. Food Security & Health: UN agencies warn the Hormuz crisis is driving up fuel and transport costs, worsening hunger and malnutrition and straining medical clinics in vulnerable countries. Violence Against Women (Vanuatu): Vanuatu’s latest national survey reports partner violence has fallen from 44% (2009) to 35% (2024), a faster decline than the regional average. Public Health (Drugs): An expert warns illicit drug activity is spreading beyond Fiji, with early signs of meth and related health risks appearing in nearby Pacific islands.