Tuna enforcement: Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency is running coordinated sting operations (including “Tui Moana”) to crack down on illegal fishing, using surveillance and checks that compare declared catch with what’s actually taken—because tuna revenue helps fund schools and hospitals across the region. Health & access: Te Marae Ora (Cook Islands Ministry of Health) and CBM New Zealand signed a Health Collaboration Agreement to strengthen inclusive eye health and rehabilitation, including a dedicated refractive error vision centre at Rarotonga Hospital and wider disability inclusion support. Election youth engagement: The Cook Islands National Youth Council is launching a youth-led candidate dialogue series ahead of the General Election, aiming to make civic education more accessible and ensure young voices shape national decisions. Obesity spotlight: A new look at obesity rates highlights how extreme the gap can be across countries, with Nauru reported at 70.7% adult obesity—driven by shifts in food systems and lifestyle over decades. Ocean health: Local reporting flags beach litter levels and the heavy share of plastics found in Rarotonga and Aitutaki, linking community clean-ups to the need for stronger waste action. Renewables for health: Cook Islands is accelerating its renewable energy push to cut diesel reliance, with solar projects aimed at improving long-term living conditions for outer island communities.