Cook Islands Election: The King’s Representative, Sir Tom Marsters, has set the 2026 general election for Wednesday, August 12, with Parliament entering caretaker mode ahead of the poll. Aitutaki Harbour Pressure: Deputy Prime Minister Albert Nicholas has issued an ultimatum to the Cook Islands Investment Corporation to complete the Arutanga Harbour project within the next fiscal year or continue at CIIC’s own cost, while CIIC says it supports an independent investigation into the “complex” project. Tourism & Business Rules: PM Mark Brown clarified that permanent residents have equal business rights with Cook Islanders, while foreign nationals need approval to operate amid local competition concerns. Regional Finance & Security: Foreign Affairs Minister Tingika Elikana told Pacific leaders that economic resilience and security are linked for small states, pointing to the Cook Islands’ coordinated response to the fuel crisis and calling for Pacific-led energy cooperation. Deep-Sea Economy Watch: American Ocean Minerals’ large deep-sea survey in the Cook Islands collected 4,059 samples across 53 sites to build environmental baselines ahead of potential future seabed mineral development. Ocean Monitoring: Climate Change Cook Islands and Earth Sciences New Zealand begin a month-long oceanographic survey using the Kaharoa II to establish a climate baseline for future monitoring. Health Policy Debate: A letter urges stronger action on non-communicable diseases, including easier access to healthier food and water, and community gardens to improve food security.