Financial Services Boom: A Cook Islands Government report says US demand for asset protection is driving record trust growth, with international trust registrations up 42% in a year to 433 and nearly 90% higher than two years ago; financial services now contribute over NZ$48m and about 8.5% of real GDP, opening demand for NZ and offshore legal, compliance, identity and cybersecurity services. Tourism & Travel: Stats NZ data shows record New Zealand-resident traveller arrivals from the Cook Islands (118,000 in the year to July) and a new high for Tonga (30,000), pointing to strong VFR demand and pent-up travel. Social Protection & Resilience: A UN DESA brief urges Pacific SIDS to expand social protection to cut poverty and better handle climate and price shocks; coverage is above 90% in the Cook Islands, but far lower in several other states. Transport Rules Tested: Rarotonga’s new app-based ride-hailing service, Smartie Rides, launches while highlighting a gap in the 1967 Transport Licensing Act, with calls to modernise licensing for vehicle-sharing. Governance & Cost of Living: Cook Islands PM Mark Brown flags cost of living and housing as top priorities in the first 100 days, including a fuel security focus and progress on a National Housing Strategy 2030. Deep-Sea Skills & Training: Twenty-three Cook Islanders returned from China after a deep-sea resource management programme run with SBMA, aimed at strengthening local capacity for the sector. Community & Reputation: Nikao Cemetery in Rarotonga was vandalised, prompting a community working bee to repair damaged graves and renewed calls for accountability.