Deep-Sea Mining Consultation: A U.S.-backed proposal to explore deep-sea minerals in international waters between Kiribati, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia is open for public comment until 3 August, as regulators still lack a final mining code and Pacific groups push for submissions and clearer safeguards. Regulator Stalls Rules: The UN’s International Seabed Authority ended its July session in Jamaica without adopting a Mining Code, while extending a controversial exploration contract for The Metals Company’s subsidiary—highlighting the gap between exploration activity and rules for commercial mining. NOAA Baseline Work in Cook Islands Waters: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer is running a 26-day ROV mission in the Cook Islands’ least-explored deep ocean to generate baseline environmental data regulators say they need before setting safe extraction thresholds. Local Payments Upgrade: BSP Cook Islands has rolled out faster 4G EFTPoS terminals (replacing older units since February 2026), cutting wait times for merchants and customers and continuing wider Pacific upgrades. Trade Days Boost for Local Business: The 2026 BCI Trade Days opened with a record 111 vendors and 25 years of the locally owned bank, with the three-day event running next week and featuring food, crafts and outer-island products. Water Tariff Misinformation Corrected: To Tatou Vai says social media claims about residential water tariffs rising from $1.40 to $1.90 are wrong; the residential tariff remains unchanged for the coming year after the June 2026 review. Climate-Resilient Building Skills: MFEM and the Ministry of Education have signed an agreement under the Green Climate Fund’s Enhancing Direct Access project to train builders and inspectors on climate-resilient building codes. Health Funding for Pa Enua Screening: Te Marae Ora and the Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation signed an MOU to co-fund airfare costs so eligible outer-island women can travel to Rarotonga for breast screening.