Marine Protection Push: French Polynesia says it will fully protect 200,000 square miles of ocean, adding to last year’s protections and bringing conserved waters to about 540,500 square miles, with limits on artisanal fishing in designated zones. Whale Rights Drafts: The Moananui Sanctuary Trust released two model legal frameworks for public consultation, aiming to strengthen whale protection by treating whales as kin and ocean guardians. UN Decolonisation Pressure: The UN Special Committee on Decolonisation heard renewed calls for action on New Caledonia and French Polynesia, with petitioners urging clearer benchmarks and concern over elections proceeding without a decolonisation timetable. Travel Connectivity: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare from June 3, letting passengers book one ticket for international flights plus inter-island connections to places like Bora Bora and Rarotonga. U.S. Coast Guard Crackdown: Operation Blue Pacific will expand patrols across Oceania, including French Polynesia, targeting illegal fishing plus drug and people smuggling while coordinating search and rescue. Cruise & Safety Fallout: The U.S. reportedly chartered a $750,000 private yacht to evacuate an American from Pitcairn after a hantavirus-linked cruise, raising questions about emergency spending. Local Sport Spotlight: Tahiti-based WSL qualifier Jackson Bunch won back-to-back Tahiti events after a last-minute equipment scramble, while Samoa’s Vaimo’oi’a Ripley claimed top female honours at the Oceania sailing championships.