Critical Minerals & Geopolitics: The new US Ambassador to New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa, Jared Novelly, says securing Cook Islands seabed minerals is now a top priority, warning that China’s growing influence brings risks for small island states while also pointing to US investment and economic partnerships. Climate & Cyclone Readiness: After Supertyphoons Mawar and Sinlaku, Pacific communities are bracing for more extreme weather as El Niño develops and is forecast to strengthen this fall, with forecasters estimating a 63% chance of sea temperatures exceeding 2.0°C—prompting renewed calls for daily updates from national meteorological services. Women’s Economic Opportunities: In Samoa, Events, Marketing & Distribution (EMD) and UN Women have partnered under the Markets for Change project, highlighting the M4C Life-Con Pacific Women’s Market Expo 2026 (15–18 July) to improve market access, skills, and networking for women-led businesses across the Pacific. Tourism & Local Business Growth: South Pacific Pocket Guide launched VanuatuPocketGuide.com, a new digital travel platform built from a five-week research trip, aiming to help independent travellers plan trips while also supporting local tourism operators and expanding tourism beyond main hubs. Health & Food Systems: A global obesity roundup spotlights Nauru’s very high adult obesity rate (70.7%), linking the trend to past phosphate mining income, shifts toward imported foods, and limits on fresh produce and outdoor activity.