Niue Leadership: Dalton Tagelagi has been re-elected Prime Minister after the May 2 election, with the Niue Assembly confirming him in a tight 11–9 leadership vote and also swearing in new Speaker Billy Talagi—continuity for the next three years, but with a sharply divided parliament. Pacific Geopolitics: The Pacific Islands Forum is set to meet in Palau (Aug 30–Sep 4) under “Building Economies,” with Palau’s strategic position raising the stakes as China–US influence competition intensifies. Blue Economy Push: Papua New Guinea is doubling down on ocean-led growth after hosting the Melanesian Ocean Summit in Port Moresby, renewing commitments like the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves and linking conservation to livelihoods. Regional Policy Watch: Cook Islands leaders are spotlighting “sacred ocean” protection via the Marae moana Act, while stressing seabed mining decisions must stay science-based. Business/Everyday: Nepal Telecom has updated international call charging to a 60-second pulse for calls to dozens of countries.