Women & Security Watch: A new Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index ranks Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland at the top for women’s inclusion, justice and safety, while the report highlights how security and rights move together. Health & Food Culture: In the CNMI, a cardiologist is urging schools to bring back ancestral foods to tackle obesity and diabetes, using student projects that interview grandparents and learn nutrition basics. Pacific Sovereignty & Ocean Policy: Deep-sea mining is becoming a new pressure point for Pacific sovereignty as global powers push for rules at the International Seabed Authority, with calls for stronger safeguards before any pause is lifted. Palau Security Readiness: Palau’s Ministry of Justice ran training and tabletop exercises with regional and international partners to strengthen security planning for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror. Palau Leadership & Reform: President Whipps’ State of the Republic address points to recovery and reforms, while flagging ongoing challenges in health care, public finances, fisheries and social protection. Cybersecurity Law: Palau’s Senate approved a bill to create a Bureau of Cybersecurity, raising questions about how it will work alongside an existing presidential tech office. Culture Underwater & On Land: Palau Pledge Dive Club youth are diving for health and marine stewardship, and a new Palau High School mural celebrates Australia–Palau cultural ties through “Two Nations. One Ocean.” Education Exchange: A Taiwan teacher-education team is running a sustainability-focused learning exchange in Palau, linking classrooms to marine ecology and climate action.