Telecom Upgrade in Palau: PNCC says it’s in the middle of Palau’s biggest network overhaul—new Nokia 4G/5G Standalone mobile service plus a $34.9m fiber-to-the-premises rollout, with commercial launch targeted for May 2027. Aquaculture Jobs & Reefs: Palau opened its first community-managed satellite giant clam hatchery in Koror, funded by New Zealand’s Manaaki Fund, to supply farmers with seedlings, cut pressure on wild clams, and support women-led livelihood shifts. Regional Media Training: Journalists and communications teams are in Koror for the PIF Reporter Workshop ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, focused on governance coverage and broadcast production. Biosecurity at the Ports: Guam’s invasive species fee bill cleared a public hearing with shipper support, aiming to simplify fee collection while keeping the cost burden on importers and carriers. Shipping Safety & Tensions: IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez urged that shipping not be used as geopolitical collateral, as seafarers’ families and industry push for accountability amid US-Iran maritime conflict. El Niño Watch: SPREP highlights that El Niño can bring both risks and opportunities, with Pacific communities preparing for changing rainfall and ocean conditions. Energy Transition Push: EU/UK-backed electrification efforts gained momentum in London, with governments and business leaders calling for faster clean power rollout. Global Health Snapshot: A data roundup flags obesity as a major Pacific public health burden, with Palau listed among countries with the highest male population shares.