Deep-Sea Mining Legal Fight: Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd (TOML) and Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI) have filed new cases at ITLOS Seabed Disputes Chamber, challenging the International Seabed Authority’s “specific attention” compliance approach and seeking provisional measures—an early test of how exploration contractors protect their future exploitation rights. Energy & Fuel Costs: A Pacific-wide fuel shock story highlights how oil dependence keeps economies exposed when global prices spike, with calls to speed up renewable energy delivery and implementation. Tonga Budget Watch: Tonga’s budget debate zeroed in on high fuel prices, electricity support funding, and whether spending priorities match household pressure, including scrutiny of a proposed school breakfast programme. Public Service Changes: Parliament passed the Public Service Amendment Bill 2026 to update ministry names and reflect Cabinet decisions—separating Tourism as its own ministry and renaming Lands and Finance portfolios. Water Security Upgrade: A solar-powered desalination project is now producing up to 4,300 litres of fresh water daily for Hunga and Matamaka, aiming to end recurring outer-island water crises. Fisheries Transparency: Tonga’s first notification under the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was supported through the Fish Fund, building capacity for better fisheries governance. Regional Climate Push: 350.org Pacific Climate Warriors urged more Pacific governments to back the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty ahead of the Bonn climate meeting. Royal Visit: King Tupou VI met Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine and discussed climate resilience and energy security, reinforcing Tonga’s regional ties.