Deep-Sea Mining Legal Clash: Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI) and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. (TOML), subsidiaries of The Metals Company, have filed parallel cases at ITLOS to halt an ISA compliance investigation, arguing due process and non-discrimination were violated—an urgent fight as NORI’s contract extension deadline nears (July 22, 2026). Regional Fisheries Governance: Pacific fisheries ministers wrapped the 25th Forum Fisheries Committee ministerial meeting in Wellington, backing new leadership for 2026-27 and setting priorities for cooperation across the region. Nauru Identity & Sovereignty: Nauru’s parliament has approved a referendum to formally adopt “Naoero,” reviving the indigenous name as a public-facing sovereignty move. Pacific Security Diplomacy: Australia and Vanuatu signed the Nakamal Agreement, with China pushing back over third-party targeting; Vanuatu agreed no foreign military bases on its territory while keeping room for foreign investment via consultation. Health & Community Services: Vanuatu launched the HeartCare app to expand heart disease screening through community health workers, aiming to catch risks earlier. International Legal Milestone: Jamaican legal counsel Steven Dietrich made history representing the ISA before ITLOS in cases linked to Nauru and Tonga. Public Health Snapshot: A global obesity roundup again flags Nauru as the world’s most obese nation, underscoring the scale of chronic disease pressure.