Pacific Health Diplomacy: India has been placed on the “strategic partner stream” in the Pacific Islands Forum, with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar saying it will deepen cooperation across areas including healthcare and capacity building. NCD Screening in the Cook Islands: Te Marae Ora’s 2026 mammogram programme screened 398 women on Rarotonga and flagged follow-up needs—52 for repeat mammograms, 39 for ultrasound, and seven for biopsies—highlighting the push for earlier breast cancer detection. Safe Care for Chronic Disease: WHO met Cook Islands’ Te Marae Ora leadership to focus on safer care for non-communicable diseases, citing high local risk levels such as hypertension (44.3%), smoking (34.5%) and alcohol use (49.8%). Regional HIV Alarm (Fiji): Fiji declared a national HIV emergency after a sharp rise in infections; WHO says it will support expanded free testing, prevention and treatment, including PrEP and harm reduction. Penrhyn Health & Infrastructure Support: More than 50 NZDF personnel began work on Penrhyn under Exercise Tropic Twilight, including health services alongside local staff, plus upgrades to schools, water systems and maritime surveying. Gambling Harm Watch: A researcher warns bigger Powerball jackpots and new prize tiers could increase gambling spending in Pacific communities already under financial pressure.