Pacific Politics: Niue’s Dalton Tagelagi is back as Prime Minister after a close 11-9 leadership vote, with the Niue Assembly confirming him for another three years—continuity on economic recovery, climate resilience, and Pacific engagement, but a sharply divided parliament. Cook Islands–New Zealand Reset: The Cook Islands and New Zealand have moved to ease tensions with a new defence and security declaration, following a prior diplomatic strain tied to the Cook Islands’ strategic partnership with China. Regional Security: A Pacific Security College paper warns methamphetamine use is spreading beyond trafficking routes, pushing health and justice systems to the limit and prompting calls for a regional summit. Business & Travel: Nepal Telecom is changing how international calls are charged, switching to a 60-second pulse for calls to dozens of countries. Environment & Governance: The Cook Islands is spotlighting “sacred ocean” protection—large marine protections and science-based rules for any seabed mining decisions.