PACNEWS DIGEST — Marshall Islands moves to strengthen single-use plastics legislationUN – EL NINO: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026UN Chief warns El Niño is intensifying climate crisis as extreme heat escalatesNEW YORK, 03 AUGUST 2026 (PACNEWS) — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that El Niño is intensifying the global climate crisis, with new forecasts showing hotter-than-normal conditions across nearly every land area on Earth through October and raising the risk of record-breaking temperatures and worsening impacts worldwide. PACNEWSVAN – DIPLOMACY: VBTC PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026Vanuatu Government maintains firm position on Matthew and HunterPORT VILA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (VBTC) — The Prime Minister Jotham Napat has reaffirmed Vanuatu’s position on the disputed Matthew and Hunter Islands, saying the country’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable. PACNEWSFIJI – DIPLOMACY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 3: Mon 03 Aug 2026Australia embraces Pacific identitySUVA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Australia now sees itself as part of the Pacific, a shift that has reshaped its approach to engaging with the region. PACNEWSPACNEWS BIZFIJI – PALM WORKERS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 03 Aug 2026Fewer workers leaving PALM jobsSUVA, 03 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Only about three percent of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers are leaving their jobs early, with the rate continuing to fall. PACNEWSNZ – SEASONAL WORKERS: TVNZ PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 03 Aug 2026Seasonal work in NZ helping Tongans build businesses back homeAUKLAND, 03 AUGUST 2026 (TVNZ) — Tongan Steven Piukala surveys his kingdom with all the satisfaction of seeing his hard work rewarded.