Cook Islands Election Focus: With the general election this week, voters are weighing stability after global shocks, especially Cost of Living pressures; Prime Minister Mark Brown points to growth and recovery since borders reopened, alongside plans to lift welfare payments, pensions and child benefits, while the opposition highlights Water Tariffs—including a push to remove residential and agricultural water use charges on Rarotonga and review the To Tatou Vai structure. Women’s Midlife Health: Cook Islands women are launching Menopause Awareness with Te Marū o te Vaine, a livestreamed event on Aug 14 featuring Pacific and Australasian experts to support perimenopause/menopause education and healthy ageing. Public Safety: Police report a 33-year-old man remanded after an alleged Bush Knife Threat in a domestic incident, plus separate road incidents including a crash linked to alcohol. Digital Inclusion: A Cook Islands internet governance leader says Digital Inclusion is “fundamentally a human issue,” urging connectivity that serves education, health and family connections. Breast Cancer Fundraising: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s Breast Screening Support drive includes an inaugural Beehive Ball in New Zealand Parliament on Aug 8.