Pacific Media Freedom: Fiji’s MIDA was scrapped in 2023, but this week’s 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu is being framed as a “full circle” for press freedom, with Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka opening the event and backing a Suva media training centre. Regional Journalism Access: The summit (21–25 Sept) focuses on reaching remote communities and strengthening digital tools, with close to 200 delegates and Samoa’s media delegation among those attending. Niue Environment & Finance: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for ocean work, pitching long-term funding through “Ocean Conservation Commitments” to protect the Pacific beyond short grants. Pacific Ocean Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect marine areas across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu, including support for high-seas protection. Pacific Mobility Policy: Labour in New Zealand is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens if elected, aiming to cut costs for family visits tied to weddings and funerals. US–Pacific Security Talks: The US says any military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade in the Cook Islands is “all being negotiated,” while the port upgrade itself is described as not a US base.