Ocean Protection Push: President Moetai Brotherson announced French Polynesia will expand fully protected waters to about 30% of its EEZ, adding roughly 520,000 km² and bringing no-extraction rules (industrial fishing and seabed mining) to around 1.4 million km², while keeping artisanal fishing access for local communities. Regional Security Drills: Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, Hao and Makemo is strengthening Pacific Response Group coordination for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, with partner nations rehearsing logistics, medical support and communications. Pacific Diplomacy on Peace: Pacific Islands Forum leaders renewed a global appeal for peace, urging respect for the UN Charter and dialogue as tensions rise. Space & Tech Cooperation: French startups Look Up and Skynopy plan automated LEO collision-avoidance support by integrating ground-station networks with Europe’s ATLAS² service. US Emergency Budget Pressure: The Trump administration reportedly spent $750,000 to charter a private yacht to evacuate one American from Pitcairn after a hantavirus cruise outbreak, adding strain to the State Department’s emergency “K Fund.” Whale Rights Frameworks: Moananui Sanctuary Trust released model legal frameworks for public consultation on whale protection and “rights of nature,” drawing on Pacific traditions. Transport Links for Visitors: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare, letting travelers book one ticket for international-to-inter-island connections.