Nauru Sovereignty & Identity: Nauru has moved to hold a referendum to formally adopt “Naoero,” reviving the island’s indigenous name after parliament passed the proposal unopposed, with officials framing it as a return rather than a break. Deep-Sea Mining Governance: Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI) and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. (TOML), subsidiaries of The Metals Company, have filed parallel cases at the ITLOS Seabed Disputes Chamber against the International Seabed Authority, alleging due process and transparency failures tied to the ISA’s compliance inquiry—an outcome that could shape seabed rules and investor confidence. Pacific Security Deal Watch: Australia and Vanuatu have signed the revised Nakamal Agreement, dropping earlier clauses that could have restricted third-party investment in critical infrastructure; the final text keeps Australia as a key security partner while requiring consultation and insisting infrastructure stays “free from militarisation” and foreign interference. Regional Climate & Costs: SPREP says El Niño has been declared, with potential impacts for rainfall across the Pacific—while a separate report on the fuel crisis shows how rising diesel and electricity costs squeezed Pacific economies and pushed leaders toward renewables support. Health & Economy Link: A global obesity ranking highlights Nauru’s extreme rates, underscoring how chronic disease burdens can strain household finances and public services.