Pacific Sports & Travel: Solomon Islands has withdrawn from the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Championship 2026 in Guam, citing visa hurdles and the high cost of sending both men’s and women’s teams. Regional Environment & Resources: Melanesian nations are moving toward a transboundary marine protected area, the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR), with Solomon Islands joining after PNG, Vanuatu and Fiji’s May announcement—though details on enforcement and governance remain thin. Local Politics & Diplomacy: Three French overseas-territory MPs, including New Caledonia’s Nicolas Metzdorf, are urging tougher France action against Azerbaijan after Aliyev’s remarks about French territories and alleged support for independence movements. Visa & Mobility Costs (France): France has published fees for several visa categories and cut costs for children aged 6–12 on selected visas, with some family members of French citizens potentially exempt depending on circumstances. Energy & Supply Chains: The IEA warns critical minerals supply is becoming a security risk as investment fell and refining growth concentrates in China and Indonesia, with export controls a key threat. Business Tech (Global, watch/consumer): Citizen, Casio and Samsung all pushed new product reveals this week, from Citizen’s Eco-Drive dress and limited editions to Samsung’s Galaxy Glasses and Z Flip8—signals of continued consumer demand for premium wearables and AI-enabled devices.