French Polynesia Politics: Pro-independence parties have won elections in French Polynesia, securing control of the regional assembly for five years and setting up a possible push for a referendum on the territory’s status; Tavini huiraatira (Oscar Temaru) took 44.3% in the second round and is expected to nominate Moetai Brotherson to lead the government, a move France’s interior minister called a “democratic choice” while Paris has long refused referendums. Ocean Governance: A U.S. startup is seeking Trump administration approval to lease seabed areas just beyond French Polynesia’s maritime border for deep-sea mining, raising fears of workarounds to international high-seas rules after French Polynesia helped establish the world’s largest contiguous marine protected area and its seabed-mining ban. Pacific Security: Pacific civil society groups condemned China’s nuclear-capable submarine missile test across the Pacific, calling for an end to militarisation and nuclear threats and criticising continued U.S. and allied missile activity and exercises. Fukushima Fallout: Pacific Islands Forum leaders demanded more answers and evidence-based science over Japan’s plan to discharge treated Fukushima wastewater, saying the region deserves clear, independent assessments. Biodiversity & Heritage: Conservation news from French Polynesia-linked partula snail efforts: King Charles painted endangered partula snails at London Zoo ahead of their return to the islands later this year.