AGP Executive Report
Last update: 5 hours agoCook Islands Election: A new Cook Islands News poll shows a tight race with no clear winner ahead of the 12 August vote, with the governing Cook Islands Party on 30.5% versus the surging Cook Islands United Party at 26.7%, while 25.7% remain undecided—pointing to coalition talks. Deep-sea Mining Watch: A US$1billion merger filing tied to Odyssey Marine and American Ocean Minerals sets a revised 8 October 2026 completion deadline and shifts how Cook Islands licence ownership is described, while another poll reports majority opposition to seabed mining. Digital & Connectivity: The Manatua submarine cable fault has degraded internet services for Niue and the Cook Islands, with repairs dependent on securing a specialist vessel. Banking & Payments: The Bank of the Cook Islands launches TakuEcom now and TakuPOS in mid-August to help businesses and entrepreneurs accept card payments and sell online without costly terminals. Regional Politics: Pacific foreign ministers failed to agree on a statement condemning China’s nuclear-capable missile test, underscoring wider geopolitical pressure around the Pacific. Scams & Security: CIFIU is investigating growing “advance fee fraud” scams targeting Cook Islanders, working with police and banking reporting officers.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.