New Caledonia Politics: Pro-France parties won the most seats in Sunday’s long-delayed provincial elections, but fell short of a clear majority in Congress, leaving the territory in a near deadlock as turnout dipped to 63.7%. The Southern Province looks set to tilt loyalist, while pro-independence support holds up in the North and Loyalty Islands—setting up tough negotiations with Paris over New Caledonia’s future. Regional Governance: A Pacific Islands Forum mission is raising questions about the credibility of New Caledonia’s referendum process, adding pressure as the territory seeks regional backing. Pacific Economy & Resources: Papua New Guinea says it will help Solomon Islands strengthen mining governance, including sharing legal and technical expertise and pushing for a fair share of returns for citizens. Fisheries: Pacific fisheries ministers wrapped up the 25th Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in Wellington, with New Caledonia attending as an observer and priorities set for regional cooperation. Business & Travel: Swan Hellenic is expanding its 2027 Asia-Pacific cultural expedition program, adding new New Zealand routes and deeper Japan itineraries, including calls at Busan. Tech & Consumer: Huawei’s ultra-thin MatePad Pro Max goes on sale in Germany, while Casio and Citizen continue rolling out new watch lines and limited editions.