New Caledonia Governance: Milakulo Tukumuli, from the pro-France “kingmaker” Eveil Océanien party, has been elected President of New Caledonia’s collegial government by the 54-member Congress, with Christopher Gygès named Vice-President—an executive shaped by the 28 June provincial elections and the existing governance pact. French Funding for Reconstruction: France has approved a second phase of its Economic and Social Reconstruction Pact for New Caledonia, adding €84.7m (CFP10.1bn) for 50 infrastructure and development projects, targeting remote access, essential services and jobs. Maritime & Diplomatic Ties: Vanuatu has appointed former prime minister Joe Natuman as Special Envoy for Maritime Boundary and Decolonisation issues, keeping pressure on the long-running dispute with France over islands Matthew and Hunter that also blocks a boundary settlement with New Caledonia. Regional Trade & Logistics: Swire Projects delivered a 184-tonne bow section and six heavy barges from Vietnam to Brisbane, with the shipment then continuing to Nouméa—another example of project cargo flows across the Pacific. Business Watch Market: Casio’s new affordable dive-styled MRW-240H and Bluetooth step-tracking F-B100W models are now open for preorders for August 2026, while the Pro Trek PRJ-B001EX launches with a reversible band that zips into a coin pouch.