Tahiti Family Glimpse: Gisele Bündchen shared rare holiday photos from French Polynesia, holding hands with her one-year-old son during a Tahiti beach outing with new husband Joaquim Valente, plus appearances from her teenage kids. Bora Bora Mermaid Certification: A PADI “mermaid” program at Four Seasons Bora Bora is turning into a mainstream travel trend, with rising global interest and a focus on learning the swim technique beyond just photos. Ocean Protection vs Deep-Sea Mining: A U.S. startup is seeking approval to explore seabed mining in international waters just beyond French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, and Kiribati—raising fresh concerns after the region’s marine protection push and seabed-mining bans. Pacific Peace & Anti-Militarisation: Pacific civil society groups condemn nuclear-capable missile tests and ongoing military build-ups across the Blue Pacific, arguing ocean governance must prioritize Pacific peoples’ rights and livelihoods. Ocean Justice & Indigenous Stewardship: A culture-and-policy angle on marine conservation stresses that protecting the sea also means protecting community decision-making, equality in governance, and Indigenous stewardship. Reading Year Spotlight: National Year of Reading 2026 ambassadors reveal the books that shaped them, linking culture events to public literacy. Gender Demographics Watch: A global look at countries where men outnumber women highlights how demographic forces can shift societies over time.