Sea-level rise warning in Palau: A UN report launched during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum says sea-level rise is accelerating and threatens communities, economies, culture and sovereignty, while urging faster emissions cuts, stronger climate finance, coastal protection and rights-based relocation. Clean-air concern: Palau’s skies were hazed by smoke transported thousands of miles from fires in Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, with scientists warning severe El Niño could worsen wildfire impacts. Coral resilience push: Palau-backed efforts include a first Pacific Reef Seeding Hub aimed at strengthening coral recovery and climate resilience. Forum outcomes with teeth: Leaders endorsed a five-year regional security roadmap and backed disaster-readiness coordination, while reaffirming climate change as the region’s biggest security threat. Women in leadership: Australia’s AU$195m boost for Pacific Women Lead comes as leaders call for national laws to raise women’s political participation—yet women still sit absent from the top table. Oceans and pollution cleanup: US Navy divers removed derelict vessels and hazardous material in Koror to protect marine life and tourism. Local climate reporting capacity: Vanuatu journalists trained in weather, climate and ocean reporting to help communities get timely, clear risk information. Palau incident watch: Search-and-rescue continues for a missing Singaporean diver after a diving incident.