Critical Minerals & Investment: U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly says access to Cook Islands seabed minerals is now a top priority, placing critical minerals at “1A or 1B” for Washington and urging Pacific partners to weigh China’s growing influence and potential “debt traps,” while signalling interest in bringing U.S. companies into extraction and supply-chain work. Fisheries & Regional Industry: The 25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting wrapped in Wellington, with Niue’s outgoing chair Mona Ainu’u credited for leadership and ministers backing the next chair for 2026–2027, as Pacific governments align on the future of regional fisheries cooperation. Tourism Data Skills: The Pacific Tourism Organisation finished a five-day Pacific Tourism Data Initiative workshop in Nadi, training Niue and other Pacific tourism officers to use survey and analytics tools to strengthen evidence-based planning. Health & Food Systems: A new report spotlights Nauru’s extreme obesity rates, linking the trend to decades of phosphate-mining-driven economic shifts that displaced traditional diets with cheaper imported food. Regional Security Governance: Pacific Elders warn that external geopolitical competition is reshaping the region, calling for security and regional institutions to stay under Pacific leadership with sovereignty and transparency protected.