Maritime Security & Pollution Risk: A drone attack hit Egypt’s Damietta Port on July 29, damaging the US-owned LNG FSRU Energos Winter and spreading fire to GASLOG SALEM; Egypt’s Cabinet later said the cause was a drone, with no injuries reported—raising concerns for coastal safety and spill risk at a key gas export hub. Energy Infrastructure Under Strain: In Russia’s Black Sea, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium suspended oil loading after drone strikes on the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Nissos Sifnos and another tanker, with no oil spill detected but operations paused for safety checks. Climate & Biodiversity Governance: Pacific priorities are being pushed at global biodiversity talks ahead of COP17, with the Pacific Small Island Developing States urging stronger action on monitoring, marine and coastal biodiversity, protected areas, and wildlife management. Local Capacity for Environmental Action: GIS and spatial practitioners from across the Pacific gathered in Fiji for training to better manage environmental data and support policy, planning, and community action. Deep-Sea Minerals Debate: A Pacific conversation on deep-sea minerals is shifting from simple “for or against” toward “follow the science” and “do no harm,” with countries emphasizing safeguards and transparent governance. Marshall Islands Link to Space Science: NASA’s LINK servicing spacecraft launched from Kwajalein Atoll (Marshall Islands) to rescue the Swift observatory, but hit a propulsion issue during commissioning, delaying the next mission steps.