Election & Leadership: Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is set to return after the Cook Islands Party won 13 of 24 seats, with six independents boosting the incoming government’s strength for a historic fifth term. Pacific Diplomacy: Brown has departed for Palau to lead the Cook Islands delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting, as leaders juggle geopolitics, transnational crime and regional unity. Realm Talks: New Zealand’s Luxon met Brown, Niue PM Dalton Tagelagi and Tokelau’s Alapati Tavite in Auckland for the first Realm of New Zealand leaders’ meeting, with a push for stronger cooperation ahead of Palau. Deep-sea Mining Warning: A new report warns Pacific governments could face costly investor-state disputes if they tighten rules or change course on deep-sea mining. China Ties: China congratulated Brown on his election win, saying it’s ready to deepen cooperation with the new government. Pa Enua Support: BTIB’s free Mangaia business workshop runs Sept 15–17, helping island entrepreneurs with planning, costing, forecasting and bookkeeping. Sports & Youth: A six-week school tennis programme is back in action across multiple schools, feeding into the National Training Programme. Drugs Case: A fisherman in Mitiaro feared for his life after finding a suspected cocaine package washed ashore, with police preliminary testing indicating cocaine.