New Caledonia Politics: Milakulo Tukumuli, leader of the centrist L’Éveil océanien “kingmaker” party, has been elected President of New Caledonia’s collegial government by the 54-seat Congress, with Christopher Gygès named Vice-President—an outcome shaped by June provincial results and a pro-France governance pact. Reconstruction Funding: 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 focused on jobs, remote access, and essential services. Regional Maritime & Sovereignty: Vanuatu has appointed former PM 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 maritime boundary with New Caledonia. Pacific Trade/Shipping: Swire Projects delivered a 184-tonne bow section and six heavy barges from Vietnam to Brisbane, with the cargo then continuing to Nouméa—another sign of ongoing project logistics across the region. Business/Finance Watch: A group’s H1 2026 results show an EBITDA rebound and progress on its funding plan, with operational momentum across lithium, manganese and mineral sands. Sports & Economy: Fiji’s Rewa will host the OFC Men’s Champions League on home soil, with the association investing about $120,000 and banking on the economic and competitive boost of playing locally.