OFC Champions League build-up: Tupapa Maraerenga FC say they’re ready for the challenge after being drawn in a tough Group B with Rewa, Vanuatu’s Galaxy FC and PNG’s Lae City FC, with midfielder Kima Webb stressing they’re aiming to perform at a higher level. Match guide for fans: The OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji kicks off with free live streaming on DAZN, with Cook Islands’ Tupapa starting against Lae City FC on Aug 9 and then meeting Rewa on Aug 12. Deep-sea mining alarm: A Cook Islands-linked debate is heating up as Pacific leaders warn about US-backed moves to auction seabed areas for deep-sea mining, with concerns raised about food security and lack of consultation. Internet disruption: Manatua Consortium is coordinating repairs after a submarine cable fault degraded internet services, including for users in Niue and the Cook Islands, with contingency measures in place while a specialist repair vessel is sought. Cook Islands language push: Cook Islands Māori Language Week highlights urgent efforts to reconnect families with te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, including workshops focused on preserving the Mangaian dialect. Local business payments: The Bank of the Cook Islands rolls out new digital payment options—TakuEcom now and TakuPOS mid-August—to help businesses accept contactless payments without costly hardware. Diplomatic welcome: The Cook Islands formally received India’s High Commissioner and the US Ambassador with credentials presentations, marking a new step in relations.