Cook Islands Election: Agnes Helen Armstrong has secured the Ivirua seat uncontested, with nominations closing leaving 62 candidates to contest the remaining Cook Islands parliamentary seats ahead of the 12 August general election. Basketball & Youth Sport: Cook Islands U18 women’s team is in Bangkok for its historic FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B debut, after a narrow 51-54 opening loss to Lebanon and a tough group run that continues against Kazakhstan and Samoa. Regional Tourism & Culture: Tourism experts urge Kiwis to travel better as Pacific borders reopen, stressing sustainable, community-led experiences that respect local culture and environment. Language & Literature: A new multilingual poetry anthology, The Ocean Remembers, puts Cook Islands Māori, Niuean, Sāmoan, Tongan and Solomon Islands Pijin stories centre stage, supported by Tala: Sharing Pacific Stories. Health Workforce: University of Auckland nursing teams delivered advanced clinical training to 15 Cook Islands nurses, strengthening local capacity through ongoing Pacific partnerships. Environment & Democracy: Te Ipukarea Society calls for open public debate on deep-seabed mining during the election period, arguing voters deserve clear positions on an issue tied to ocean, culture and the future. Community Education: In Mauke, a new community-led education and citizen science initiative links elders and students with marine monitoring and place-based learning through the Cook Islands Voyaging Society and Conservation International. Local Business Growth: ADB Frontier Seed backs Cook Islands fashion brand Manini Wear with growth capital, including lower-carbon logistics and expansion to Aitutaki.