Space Tech (Marshall Islands launch): NASA’s Swift Boost mission successfully launched Katalyst Space Technologies’ LINK spacecraft from the Marshall Islands to rendezvous with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and tow it to a higher orbit, aiming to keep the aging gamma-ray telescope operating after intensified atmospheric drag from recent solar storms. Nuclear Security (Pacific missile test): China’s nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile test over the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone sparked regional alarm, with Taiwan and Pacific leaders warning it undermines treaty commitments and raises anxiety across Micronesia and beyond. Regional Governance & Safety: Palau’s president urged Pacific countries to reduce geopolitical tensions and push for more transparent cooperation after the missile test. Local Tech & Connectivity: A Marshall Islands internet outage story traced repeated service cuts to storm damage and a damaged underground junction box cover, showing how small infrastructure failures can knock out multiple offices. Pacific Finance/Blockchain: M1X Global announced additional funding tied to USDM1, a USD-denominated sovereign bond issued on a public blockchain with 1:1 US Treasury backing, supporting Pacific government access to programmable capital markets. Health Research: A global study mapped where breast cancer and atrial fibrillation overlap in women 55+, pointing to shared modifiable risk factors like smoking and alcohol use. Maritime Risk (Hormuz): Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz returned to near-standstill as risk advisories jumped to “severe,” with insurers and regulators warning war-risk costs are becoming unsustainable. Sports/Science Culture: A PBS Guam Q&A highlighted public broadcasting’s role in preserving trusted community education and culture in the Pacific.