New Caledonia Government Crisis: Newly elected president Milakulo Tukumuli has warned the territory is in “cessation of payments” and could face a full shutdown unless about 13 billion Pacific francs (around €109m) is secured by end of August, as talks with France’s MINC aim to mobilise “refoundation pact” funds. Cabinet Portfolios: Tukumuli has unveiled a “collegial” cabinet and assigned sensitive portfolios across 11 ministers, including health, social protection and transport, plus economy/tax/telecom and customs under vice-president Christopher Gygès, while Alcide Ponga takes nickel and energy. Regional Security Diplomacy: Ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting on 30 August, foreign ministers in Suva discussed intensifying Sino-American and Sino-Australian competition and regional security architecture, with the forum’s past role in crisis support including Tonga and New Caledonia. OFC Football: AS Tiga Sport (New Caledonia) edged AS Vénus 1-0 in the OFC Men’s Champions League opener in Lautoka, with the tournament set across Fiji’s Ba and Lautoka venues. Indigenous Rights: The Baku Initiative Group marked Aug. 9 by reaffirming support for Indigenous self-determination, explicitly naming Kanak people of Kanaky (New Caledonia). Pacific Defence Cooperation: The New Zealand Defence Force has taken over leadership of the Pacific Response Group from Australia, continuing multinational crisis response planning for humanitarian and disaster relief across the region. Sports Spotlight: New Caledonia will face Australia in the Oceania volleyball men’s final after a comeback win over Wallis Et Futuna’s side.