Critical Minerals & Geopolitics: U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly says Cook Islands seabed minerals are now a top priority, placing “critical minerals” at 1A/1B on his agenda and warning Pacific states about China’s growing influence and potential “debt traps,” while noting the islands decide extraction pace. Fisheries & Regional Trade: The 25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting wrapped in Wellington, with Niue’s outgoing chair Mona Ainu’u thanked and New Zealand’s Shane Jones taking over, as ministers set priorities for future Pacific fisheries cooperation. Tourism Data Skills: SPTO’s Pacific Tourism Data Initiative workshop in Nadi trained tourism officers from Niue and other Pacific countries to use survey data for better planning, writing, and decision-making—supporting International Visitor Surveys and related tools. Tourism & Local Industry Support: South Pacific Pocket Guide launched VanuatuPocketGuide.com after field research across Efate and other islands, aiming to help travellers plan and also support local tourism operators with practical booking-ready information. Culture & Creative Industry: A short documentary on Cook Islands artist Ta’i Paitai, linked to a Niue Trust workshop, was selected for the New Zealand International Film Festival short film competition.