Nauru-China ties and cost of living: Nauru’s commerce minister says direct cargo shipping links with China have cut logistics delays and helped lower prices, with monthly voyages stabilising since early 2026. Nauru-China diplomacy: President David Adeang tells Xinhua that cooperation since the 2024 resumption of relations is exceeding expectations and is opening up major economic opportunities, while reaffirming the one-China principle. Nauru’s NZYQ deportee trust exposed: Senate estimates heard Nauru has withdrawn $30.5m from an Australian-backed trust under the NZYQ deportee deal, including $19.8m to pay down a loan expanding the national airline fleet, with Australia refusing to fully release the third-country resettlement details. Taiwan dispute: Taiwan’s trade office in Fiji rejects Nauru’s “province of China” label after Nauru issued guidance to officials to follow the one-China principle and avoid that terminology. Regional security and infrastructure: The Quad’s New Delhi meeting backed new port infrastructure in Fiji and wider Indo-Pacific maritime, energy and critical minerals initiatives—again highlighting how Pacific decisions are shaped by external powers. Deep-sea mining rules under pressure: The UN seabed mining regulator warns Pacific states not to be swept up by a renewed race, after the US signalled permits in international waters; Nauru is named in reporting around a joint venture applying for US permits. Climate accountability push: The UN General Assembly backed a Vanuatu-led resolution supporting an ICJ advisory opinion on states’ legal duties to act on climate change, with the US voting against. Visa revenue squeeze in the region: New Zealand’s Pacific visa fee cuts and longer default visas are projected to reduce revenue by $1–2m a year, with funding pressure on immigration systems. Health diplomacy at sea: China’s PLA Navy hospital ship “Silk Road Ark” sailed from Zhanjiang for medical services across the South China Sea and along China’s coasts, including drills and surgery support.