In this bulletin:
1. COOKS — Cook Islands General Election set for 12 August
2. PACIFIC— Strategic competition in Pacific here to stay, Australian Minister says
3. FIJI — Fiji PM says next election due between 24 December and early February 2027
4. PALAU — July Elections set for Two Palau States
5. PNG — PNG at risk of food shortages as El Niño brings frost and drought
6. FIJI — Climate risks demand better preparedness among vulnerable communities in Fiji
7. SAMOA — Former high Court Judge Vui Clarence Nelson carries on justice career as Samoa’s new Ombudsman
8. USA — New evidence casts doubt on RFK Jr testimony before Senate
9. UN — Europe heatwave breaks records as UN agencies ramp up health warnings
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Finance Minister defends disciplined budget amid fiscal pressures
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Finance Minister urges unity as debt costs reach $600M
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Naoero’s east Micronesia cable goes live, ending reliance on satellite internet
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific chefs celebrate recognition but there’s more ‘talent to shine’
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Fijians to pay more for taxi fares from next week
15. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji welcomes Pacific Blue shipping partnership charter
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — Ugandan solar energy pioneer named 2026 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year
COOKS – ELECTION: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS 2: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Cook Islands General Election set for 12 August
RAROTONGA, 26 JUNE 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS)—The Cook Islands 2026 General Election will be held on Wednesday, August 12, the King’s Representative, Sir Tom Marsters, announced this morning.
In a radio announcement, Sir Tom said that upon the advice tendered to him by the Prime Minister to call for fresh elections, and pursuant to Article 37 of the Constitution of the Cook Islands, he had dissolved Parliament forthwith and appointed Wednesday, 12 August 2026, as the date for the next general election.
Sir Tom added that, in accordance with the principles of Westminster parliamentary democracy, the incumbent government will enter into a caretaker mode leading up to the election.
Cook Islands Parliament was adjourned sine die on Tuesday afternoon, concluding business for this term.
In Parliament, Prime Minister Mark Brown clarified that, under the Constitution, the King’s Representative, Sir Tom Marsters, is responsible for issuing the notice announcing the election date.
Cook Islands News had earlier indicated that the election would be held in August. The last general election took place on 01 August 2022, when Prime Minister Brown led the Cook Islands Party to form a government for a fourth consecutive term with the support of Independent MPs.
Prior to that, the 2018 election was held on 14 June, while the 2014 poll was a snap election held on 09 July. The 2010 general election took place on 17 November.
Following the conclusion of business for the latest sitting, which was headlined by the passing of the National Budget, Speaker of Parliament Tai Tura adjourned the House sine die, marking the formal conclusion of the 18th Parliament’s business.
“The decision taken by this House does not dissolve Parliament,” Tura clarified.
“As that is a matter provided for under the Constitution … it signifies that the House has completed the work presently, before it, and will now stand adjourned without a date.”
“As Speaker, I extend sincere appreciation to all Honourable Members for their service, deliberations and contributions throughout this term. The work of this House—debate, scrutiny, law making and representation—reflects our shared responsibility to the people of the Cook Islands.”….PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 2: Thu 25 Jun 2026
Strategic competition in Pacific here to stay, Australian Minister says
By Pita Ligaiula
CANBERRA, 26 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS)–Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy says strategic competition with China in the Pacific is a permanent feature of the region’s future, while stressing that Pacific countries retain the right to determine their own paths.
Speaking in an interview in Canberra, Conroy said Australia is responding by using every available tool to strengthen its relationships across the Pacific.
“Well, it’s about maximum effort in using every lever. We’ve got some great advantages in our relationships that we intend to build on,” he said.
Conroy said development assistance remains a key part of Australia’s engagement, but not the only element.
“We’re the biggest development partner in the region. And the way we approach it actually responds to priorities of other countries,” he said
He said Australia focuses on infrastructure investment, local content and supporting Pacific businesses.
“I announced I think it was about a SBD$60 million (US$7.44 million) – road partnership with the Solomon Islands. It was specified in the contract that every single dollar should go to a Solomon Islands company so that they could build their capability,” said Conroy.
Conroy said the approach delivers benefits beyond infrastructure projects.
“We do that so they get the double dividend of the infrastructure but also the skills development, the payroll, income tax dividend,” he explained.
He said Australia also supports the Pacific through labour mobility programmes, migration pathways, policing cooperation and defence partnerships.
“We’ve got the Pacific labour scheme where every month workers are on average sending back $1500(US$1, 035) Australian lifting families and communities out of poverty,” he said.
Conroy said the Australian Federal Police is working closely with Pacific countries through the Pacific Policing Initiative, while defence ties continue to grow through initiatives such as the Guardian-class patrol boat programme.
“The ADF is a great asset.”
He also pointed to cultural and sporting links as important parts of Australia’s engagement with the region.
“The cultural connections are important via things like shared cultural past but also love of sport, whether it’s rugby league in PNG, soccer in Vanuatu, rugby union in Fiji,” Conroy said.
Conroy said Australia remains a major economic partner for Pacific countries.
“So we’re a key partner, and it’s about getting the message out there about how we can support a working partnership,” he said.
Asked whether strategic competition in the Pacific had an end point, Conroy said Australia viewed it as permanent.
“Well, we just say it’s permanent. It is permanent,” he emphasised.
He said that did not diminish the sovereignty of Pacific countries.
“That doesn’t remove our agency and the agency of every nation in the Pacific to control their own destiny.”
Conroy said Pacific countries would continue to make their own decisions and Australia’s role was to remain a reliable partner.
“And in the end, they will guide their future. And it’s our job to be the best partner and to encourage countries to move beyond transactional playing off development partners to think about where their long-term interests lie.”
And I’m very clear that’s with Australia. That’s not exclusive.” he added.
Conroy said Australia respected countries’ rights to maintain economic relationships with other partners, including China.
“We’ve got very strong trade relationships with China. They’re our biggest trading partner. But we would never dictate who people could trade with or have economic relationships with,” he said.
He said the Australian Government had deliberately elevated Pacific engagement, noting that he is the first Pacific minister to sit in Cabinet and be a permanent member of Australia’s National Security Committee.
“That’s an elevation that’s intentional by this government, recognising the state of affairs that we face.”
Conroy also provided an update on the Australia-Papua New Guinea Pukpuk Alliance, saying implementation was progressing rapidly.
He said both countries were moving ahead with defence cooperation while final legal processes continued.
“Well, implementation is going at pace. We didn’t wait for that, we’re getting on with it.”
Conroy said Australia was supporting Papua New Guinea’s efforts to strengthen its military capability, humanitarian response capacity and broader security cooperation.
“So it’s going ahead really well, and the relationship is incredibly strong.” he said…..PACNEWS
FIJI – ELECTION/POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 2: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Fiji PM says next election due between 24 December and early February 2027
SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Fiji’s next general election is expected to be held between 24 December 2026, and the first week of February 2027, unless Parliament legislates a delay or the Government calls an earlier poll under constitutional provisions.
Rabuka said the Constitution required elections to be held four years after the first sitting of the newly elected Parliament, placing the next election within that timeframe.
He said the Government was working to complete several key reforms before voters go to the polls, including reviews of the electoral framework and the Constitution.
“The authorities contained in the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, we are bound by the provisions of those Acts and the Constitution to hold elections four years after the previous one,” Rabuka said in a video update today.
“Four years after the swearing-in of the government, four years after the first day of sitting of the newly elected government, which puts a date for this next election to between the 24th of December and the first week of February 2027,” he said.
“There are certain things that we are trying to get done before the election.”
Rabuka said the Electoral Review Commission had completed its report, while the Constitution Review Commission was continuing to gather public views.
“There has been an electoral review of the elections provisions commission. They have done their report. There have also been attempts to secure the views of the people in the Constitution Review Commission.
“Those have their own lifespan. If they are completed in time and the consequential activities carried out, whether they be parliamentary or outside of Parliament, they will have to be done independent of the preparation for the election.”
He said political parties should prepare for the election under the existing legal framework while remaining ready to adapt if electoral laws were amended.
“Parties will have to now be getting ready for the elections assuming that it will be based on the current laws, maybe even hoping and be amenable to amending their plans to cater for the changes that may be brought in with the amendment to the various laws and Acts that govern the conduct of elections.”
Rabuka said the Constitution also allowed the Prime Minister to advise the President to dissolve Parliament after three-and-a-half years, enabling an earlier election.
“Elections will be carried out unless the Parliament legislates a delay. It can right now, it can be brought forward. I can ask the President to dissolve Parliament according to the time that is constitutionally mandated and that is anytime after three and a half years after the previous election.
“So we’re now into the time when the Constitution empowers the Government to ask the President to issue a writ for election.”….PACNEWS
PALAU – ELECTION/POLITICS: ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 2: Fri 26 Jun 2026
July Elections set for Two Palau States
KOROR, 26 JUNE 2206 (ISLAND TIMES)— Two Palau states will hold elections for their legislatures next month, with Ngiwal voters choosing a new slate of lawmakers and Ngeremlengui holding a special election to fill a recent vacancy.
Ngiwal will hold its 22nd legislative election on 14 July. According to the Palau Election Commission (PEC), Ngiwal elects its legislature every two years even though the governor serves a four‑year term. The deadline for nominating petitions closed 29 May and voter registration ended 01 June.
PEC shares that there are 10 candidates listed on the ballot for Ngiwal legislature: Manasseh Temol, Bernard Ngiraibai, Marina I. Udui, Russell Masayos, Loraine Kloulubak, Elmis M. Bechab, Ilabsis Ngirakesau, Emilia “Emy” Katosang, Bolton “Balt” Tengoll, and Clarence Masayos.
Ngiwal currently has 758 registered voters.
In west Babeldaob, Ngeremlengui will hold a special election on July 28 to replace former legislator Marvin Bitlaol Wasisang, who resigned for a career change according to information obtained from the Ngeremlengui legislature’s office.
Wasisang had served as the legislature’s floor leader; his resignation triggered a leadership vacancy leading state legislators to elect Hilton Hideos to succeed him as Floor leader.
The deadline for both voter registration and submission of nominating petitions for the Ngeremlengui election is 13 July . The PEC has recorded 626 registered voters in the state. …..PACNEWS
PNG – WEATHER WATCH: THE GUARDIAN PACNEWS 2: Fri 26 Jun 2026
PNG at risk of food shortages as El Niño brings frost and drought
PORT MORESBY, 26 JUNE 2026 (THE GUARDIAN)—Families across Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are facing depleted harvests and the threat of hunger after the El Niño weather pattern brought frost and prolonged dry conditions that have destroyed food gardens providing sustenance and income for thousands of households.
The effects of El Niño emerged in recent weeks, bringing drought conditions, falling water levels and frost that are threatening food security in some of the country’s most agriculturally productive regions.
According to Oxfam PNG, Papua New Guinea is currently the Pacific’s worst-hit country from the impacts of El Niño. The aid agency said rainfall had been below average for almost a year and, combined with frost in the Highlands and invasive pests, had destroyed crops and livestock.
Oxfam PNG estimates that up to 3 million people could be affected nationwide, including a projected 1.9 million in the Highlands region. Communities that rely heavily on farming are already experiencing severe food shortages, with some reporting that food supplies may last only two to three months.
The agency warned that households forced to reduce meals and eat less variety are at increased risk of malnutrition.
Papua New Guinea’s National Weather Service says El Niño is causing severe drought and damaging frost by shifting rainfall away from the country and reducing moisture levels. The lack of cloud cover allows heat to escape rapidly at night, causing temperatures in the Highlands to drop below freezing and triggering frosts that can destroy crops.
In Tambul, Western Highlands province, farmer John Wankar woke last week to find his food garden covered in frost, with vegetables and staple crops damaged. Wankar said his family relied entirely on the garden for food and income and now faced uncertainty about how they would survive in the coming weeks.
In Chimbu’s Kundiawa-Gembogl district, 62-year-old Martha John described a similar experience after frost swept through her community.
“Last week Wednesday, all our gardens were covered in frost,” she said.
“We wept, as these gardens are not only for us to eat but also our income. We have been growing potato and selling them in bulks, and all my children and grandchildren depend on this food for eating and also for income.”
The worsening conditions are also affecting access to clean water. Oxfam PNG said many rivers and creeks had dried up, forcing communities to seek alternative water sources. Some schools have reportedly reduced operating hours because of heat and water shortages.
While Papua New Guinea is experiencing the most severe impacts, Oxfam PNG said countries across the Pacific were also being affected. As many as 4.7 million people faced increased risks of hunger, poverty and disease due to El Niño-related droughts, erratic rainfall and frost. Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga were experiencing worsening drought conditions, while Kiribati and Tuvalu were expected to face flooding and rising sea levels.
The country’s national disaster minister, Billy Joseph, said assessments conducted in the region confirmed reduced rainfall, declining water sources and moisture stress affecting food gardens.
The prime minister, James Marape, has directed provinces and districts nationwide to prepare for the possibility of an extraordinary and prolonged dry season.
“This is a time for preparedness, not panic,” he said. “Every district and every province must know its vulnerable areas, know its water sources, protect its people and prepare early.”
Evidence of the growing crisis is already emerging across several Highlands provinces.
National Agriculture Research Institute officers recently assessed frost-affected areas in Tambul, reporting that one potato farmer lost half of his crop to frost. Under normal conditions, the harvest would have generated more than K10,000 (US$2,200) through Tininga’s Highlands Fresh, which buys potatoes at K3 a kilogram, the officiers said.
Reports from Gembogl in Chimbu, Upper Mendi and Imbonggu in Southern Highlands province, and parts of Hela province indicate frost has affected food gardens in a number of communities.
The National Weather Service director, Jimmy Gomoga, said El Niño conditions were expected to influence weather and climate patterns across Papua New Guinea for the coming months.
But with some families already feeling the effects, many Highlands communities are increasingly worried about where their next meal will come from….PACNEWS
FIJI – CLIMATE CHANGE: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 2: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Climate risks demand better preparedness among vulnerable communities in Fiji
SUVA, 26 JUNE 2206 (FBC NEWS)—Climate change is exposing gaps in disaster preparedness among vulnerable communities in Fiji, according to National Disaster Risk Management Office Director Napolioni Boseiwaqa.
He says increasing cases of localised flooding show that climate impacts are becoming more evident, placing greater pressure on communities already at risk.
Boseiwaqa said while Fiji has not experienced a cyclone making landfall in the past three years, the country cannot afford to become complacent.
He said changing weather patterns and the increasing intensity of climate-related events highlight the urgent need to strengthen community preparedness and resilience.
“So what we are witnessing here in Fiji is that the impacts of climate change are becoming more evident. As you can see, we are experiencing more localised flooding.”
Boseiwaqa warns that major climate-related events remain a serious threat, particularly for communities living in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
ADRA Fiji Country Director Iliapi Tuwai said disaster preparedness must remain a priority, with communities encouraged to understand their risks, develop evacuation plans, and follow early warnings issued by authorities.
“The Pacific Funding Partnership is allowing us to work in this space, and this is an advantage for us in Fiji because we are vulnerable to these impacts. Instead of simply responding, we are anticipating and taking action before anything happens.”
Tuwai said repeated flooding and extreme weather events reinforce the need to strengthen disaster preparedness efforts across the country…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – OMBUDSMAN: SAMOA OBSERVER PACNEWS 2: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Former high Court Judge Vui Clarence Nelson carries on justice career as Samoa’s new Ombudsman
APIA, 26 JUNE 2026 (SAMOA OBSERVER)—Former senior Supreme Court Judge, Vui Clarence Nelson’s career in public service will continue beyond the courtroom after he was appointed Samoa’s new Ombudsman.
The appointment comes shortly after he retired from the judiciary following more than three decades of service on the bench, including as Senior Supreme Court Judge.
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt announced the appointment after Parliament passed the Government’s 2026/2027 Budget.
The motion relating to the appointment was accepted by Parliament as the final item on the agenda before Parliament concluded after midnight on Thursday.
His new role will see him oversee complaints against government agencies, promote good governance and accountability, and carry out the functions of Samoa’s National Human Rights Institution.
The office also carries out research and activities for the promotion and protection of human rights in Samoa…PACNEWS
USA – SENATE HEARING: THE GUARDIAN PACNEWS 2: Fri 26 Jun 2026
New evidence casts doubt on RFK Jr testimony before Senate
WASHINGTON, 26 JUNE 2206 (THE GUARDIAN)—New evidence has emerged that Robert F Kennedy Jr was on a vaccine-related “mission” when he visited Samoa ahead of a deadly measles outbreak in 2019, raising further questions about whether the US health secretary lied to the US Senate when he said the trip had “nothing to do with vaccines”.
Records obtained by the Guardian show Kennedy’s colleague told Samoan officials in an email that he and Kennedy were coming as part of a mission to study the island nation’s medical records in the aftermath of a “discontinuity in vaccinations”.
“We all look forward to the opportunity to be of service to the people of Samoa with our mission,” Dr Michael Graven wrote.
Kennedy was at the time serving as chair and chief legal counsel of Children’s Health Defence, a non-profit group known for its anti-vaccine activism. Graven was the group’s chief information officer. Spokespeople for Kennedy at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Kennedy’s trip to the Pacific island nation is among the most heavily criticized activities he undertook before being named health secretary by Donald Trump. Kennedy has frequently claimed that his reason for going to Samoa was not about vaccines and that his visit did not influence people’s decisions on whether to vaccinate. At his Senate confirmation hearing last year, he said: “You cannot find a single Samoan who will say I didn’t get a vaccine because of Bobby Kennedy.” Instead, he said he went to attend a Samoan independence celebration and to introduce a “state-of-the art” medical informatics system.
Samoan officials later said Kennedy’s visit bolstered the credibility of anti-vaccine activists. A measles outbreak, which tore through the Pacific island nation a few months after Kennedy’s visit, sickened thousands and killed 83 people, mostly children under age five.
Earlier this year, the Guardian and the Associated Press obtained emails from US government and Unicef officials that undermined Kennedy’s claims about why he visited Samoa. That prompted two Democratic senators and a member of the House to say the reporting showed Kennedy lied to the Senate.
The US Department of State has been turning over the emails – many heavily redacted – in batches since January as a result of an open records lawsuit brought with the assistance of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
Anti-vaccine activists in the U.S became interested in Samoa when two infants died in 2018 after they were injected with a tainted measles, mumps and rubella vaccine that was improperly prepared. The government halted all vaccinations for 10 months, until April 2019, and vaccination rates plummeted. During that time, Kennedy’s group Children’s Health Defence started reaching out to the Samoan government, according to emails previously obtained by the Guardian and the AP.
Despite the evidence that vaccines are safe and have saved millions of lives, Kennedy has long called for studies in which some children would not be immunized in order to compare the health of vaccinated children against unvaccinated children. Samoa’s pause would have provided such an opportunity.
By the time Kennedy arrived on 30 May 2019, vaccinations had resumed, but rates were still very low.
Emails released by the state department show Graven traded messages with Samoan officials before he, Kennedy and Kennedy’s wife, the Curb Your Enthusiasm actor Cheryl Hines, traveled there.
In one email dated 8 March 2019, Graven said he would “be with Kennedy as the Health Informatician who will be performing the statistical investigations”.
He went into more detail two months later in a message on 13 May by saying he was sending it “after discussion with” Kennedy and describing the trip several times as a “mission”.
“The mission involves health informatics evaluation from medical record data from all hospitals and clinics in Samoa to evaluate outcomes associated with the recent discontinuity in vaccinations,” Graven wrote. “Kennedy asked me to join this mission as I have performed health informatics initiatives in 48 other countries over 40 years.”
Graven, a pediatrician who died in 2022, described collecting data and doing a statistical analysis, saying he planned to travel to all hospitals and clinics in Samoa.
He said the mission would be conducted “without bias”, adding that he had witnessed the harmful effects of vaccine-preventable illness, and that he also had served countries where they had discovered “bad vaccine lots”.
Graven’s description of their work stands in contrast to Kennedy’s comments before the Senate last year, when he repeatedly denied the trip had anything to do with vaccines. In questioning from Ron Wyden, a senator from Oregon, Kennedy said: “I went there, nothing to do with vaccines. I went there to introduce a medical informatics system with digitalized records in Samoa and make health delivery much more efficient.”
The following day, under questioning by Edward Markey, of Massachusetts, Kennedy said: “My purpose in going down there had nothing to do with vaccines.”
Upon further questioning, Kennedy again denied it had anything to do with vaccines before adding: “My purpose in the trip was not to – I ended up having conversations with people, some of whom I never intended to meet.”
Kennedy went on to say that Children’s Health Defence had a US$6m grant “to digitalise the health records of Samoa … and to bring in a state-of-the-art medical informatic system” to the island nation. This was “the purpose” of his trip, Kennedy said.
In the records obtained by the Guardian, Graven said in emails in March and May that he planned to spend weeks visiting sites and collecting and analysing data. But an email that Antone Greubel, a state department employee stationed in Samoa, sent to colleagues on 4 June said Graven left with Kennedy a few days after arriving.
“Based on conversations with my contacts RFK and Dr [Graven] fell far short of their goal to influence Samoan government vaccination policy,” Greubel wrote.
The emails provide the most detailed view yet on Kennedy’s trip to Samoa and suggest it was connected to his longstanding interest in scientific studies that compare the health of vaccinated people with those who are unvaccinated. Children’s Health Defence did not respond to a request for comment.
Kennedy’s 2023 book, Vax-UnVax: Let the Science Speak, called for more studies comparing the health of fully vaccinated children with those who are not vaccinated. The New York Times reported this month that in his role as health secretary, Kennedy has asked government scientists to undertake such studies, which he believes will prove vaccines are harmful. And last year, the U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) granted funding to a study that would have compared the health of children who were vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine with children who had not received it in Guinea-Bissau. It was deemed unethical by the head of the World Health Organisation and others and was paused.
Wyden said in response to questions from the Guardian that the new findings “offer more proof that Robert Kennedy is a liar on a mission to take vaccines away from kids who need them”.
“Republicans have turned a blind eye to Kennedy’s anti-vaccine crusade and abdicated their responsibility to hold those who lie to Congress accountable. Democrats will not hesitate to use every available tool to thwart the Trump administration’s healthcare agenda that is making America sicker and poorer.”
In a 2021 blog post, Kennedy wrote that he went to Samoa to discuss “the introduction of a medical informatics system” to track drug safety. He suggested in that post that it was Samoan officials who “were curious to measure health outcomes following the ‘natural experiment’ created by the national respite from vaccines”….PACNEWS
UN- WEATHER WATCH: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 2: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Europe heatwave breaks records as UN agencies ramp up health warnings
GENEVA, 26 JUNE 2206 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—-As a record-breaking heatwave grips large parts of Europe, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), national weather services and partners are mobilising heat-health action plans for millions of people facing dangerous temperatures.
The extreme heat is also impacting economic activities, infrastructure, agriculture and ecosystems, the UN weather agency said on Thursday, providing an overview of the situation.
France recorded its hottest day on record on 24 June, with an average national temperature of 30.0°C, according to the national meteorological service Météo-France, beating a record set only the previous day and surpassing earlier national records from July 2019 and August 2003.
In the western town of Pulluau, temperatures climbed to 43.8°C. Overnight temperatures also reached a new national high. Authorities issued top-level red alerts for a record 58 departments, covering most of the country, and warned of increased risk of forest fires due amid worsening drought.
WMO noted that 40 people reportedly died in drowning accidents in France, underlining the dangers associated with the life-threatening heat.
Neighbouring Spain also recorded its hottest June days on record (23 and 24 June) with temperatures above 40°C in several locations, according to the national meteorological agency AEMET.
The United Kingdom’s met office issued a red extreme heat warning for 24 and 25 June and reported a provisional new June daily high of 36.1°C at Gosport, in southern England, on 24 June.
Meanwhile, Germany’s national weather service has also issued widespread red alerts, including for Bonn, Frankfurt and Cologne, while three cities in Switzerland – Geneva, Basel and Zurich – were also under red alert.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell weighed in on the extreme temperatures in Europe, saying the “savage heatwave has the fingerprints of the climate crisis all over it”.
He warned that “until humanity stops burning coal, oil and gas, extreme heat will keep getting worse,” highlighting the need for countries to accelerate the shift to renewable energy, protect forests and boost climate resilience.
The heatwave is expected to spread across large parts of western, central and southern Europe over the next two weeks, according to a regional climate monitoring centre that is part of a WMO network.
The forecast indicates temperatures between 3°C and 10°C above the weekly average for this time of year while daily maximum temperatures above 35°C are expected in many areas, with some locations in the southwest exceeding 40°C.
Many places are also likely to experience so-called “tropical nights”, when nighttime temperatures do not fall below 20°C (68°F). These conditions, which become increasingly common during heatwaves and particularly in cities, increase the risk of heat stress, forest fires and, in some areas, strong thunderstorms with hail.
Nighttime heat can be especially dangerous because it prevents the body from recovering, said Armel Castellan, an extreme heat services technical advisor at the climate and health joint office of WMO and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“This is why, when assessing the health impact of a heatwave, minimum temperatures can be more telling than the peak afternoon high,” he explained.
“A day that reaches 38°C but drops to 18°C overnight is very different from a day that reaches 36°C and stays above 25°C through the night. The second scenario carries a much higher health risk.”
Heat stress is a leading cause of weather-related deaths, WHO said, estimating that some 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred each year between 2000 and 2019.
The deadly European heatwave formed the backdrop to a major keynote speech by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at London Climate Action Week on Monday.
“We have just lived through the eleven hottest years ever recorded,” he said. “Around the world, Climate disasters are becoming more frequent, more destructive and more costly.”
He warned that El Niño risks “turning up the heat”, disrupting food and water systems and hitting the most vulnerable people the hardest.
El Niño, a naturally occurring weather pattern, is characterised by a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific.
Extreme heat is expected to occur with increasing frequency and intensity as the climate changes, WMO said. The UN agency recently issued an update which said that El Niño would affect weather and climate patterns in the coming months, although impacts are typically greater outside Europe.
WMO is among UN agencies supporting the Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, issued in July 2024. It urges countries to protect vulnerable people, safeguard workers, use data and science to boost the resilience of both economies and societies and limit global temperature rise.
WMO is supporting the Call to Action through the Early Warnings for All initiative, aimed at ensuring that people everywhere receive timely warnings and clear information on how to protect themselves before dangerous heat or other hazards strike.
Alongside WHO, it has developed guidance on extreme heat and heat-health early warning systems which support national plans and response efforts.
As the heatwave shifts across Europe, UN agencies are stressing that early warnings must lead to early action, which includes protecting people during the hottest hours, preparing health services, reducing heat exposure in homes and workplaces and building cities that can withstand a hotter climate….PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
FIJI – BUDGET: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Finance Minister defends disciplined budget amid fiscal pressures
SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Fiji Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel has defended the 2026-2027 National Budget as a disciplined fiscal plan designed to restore the country’s financial stability rather than deliver pre-election giveaways.
Presenting his first national budget in Parliament after less than eight months in the portfolio, Immanuel said the Government faced the difficult task of managing the nation’s finances at a time of significant fiscal pressure and global uncertainty.
“This Budget is not a populist budget that one would expect before an election, nor is it built on short-term promises or commitments that the country cannot afford. This is ‘A responsible budget for sustainable future’,” he said.
The finance minister said the budget was realistic, disciplined and centred on delivering tangible outcomes for Fijians.
“We will live within our means, make prudent choices and invest in the foundations that will strengthen the economy, create jobs and secure a more stable future for all Fijians,” Immanuel told Parliament.
He said the Government had a responsibility to be honest with the public about the country’s financial position.
“In a period of uncertainty, leadership requires honesty and responsibility… the Fijian people deserve an honest assessment of the challenges before us and decisive action and leadership to provide solutions.”
Immanuel said Fiji’s fiscal position had changed dramatically over the past decade, with public debt increasing from about $4 billion (US$2 billion) in 2016 to almost $12 billion (US$6 billion) by the end of 2026, pushing the debt-to-GDP ratio from around 43 percent to almost 85 percent.
He said the increase reflected the combined impact of major events including the COVID-19 pandemic, Tropical Cyclone Winston and ongoing global geopolitical tensions and energy market disruptions.
The Minister also highlighted rapid growth in government spending, which rose from around $3 billion(US$1.5 billion) to $4.8 billion(US$2.4 billion), while operating expenditure more than doubled to almost $4 billion(US$2 billion), accounting for more than 80 percent of total spending.
Mr Immanuel said the expansion of Government services had also seen the public sector workforce grow to more than 42,000 employees, including civil servants, disciplined forces, independent institutions and statutory bodies.
He said wages, salaries and associated support services now cost the Government more than $2.3 billion(US$1.15 billion) annually, representing almost half of the national budget.
“Of this $2.3 billion(US$1.15 billion), over $1.5 billion(US$575 million) per year is required just to cater for the wages and salaries of the 42,000 employees. This is equivalent to almost $6 million(US$3 million) per day or almost $60 million(US$30 million) per fortnight.”
He added that a further $800 million(US$400 million) annually was required to fund operational support, including office accommodation, vehicles, fuel, travel, electricity, telecommunications, IT systems, training, security and maintenance.
“So, basically now we need $9 million(US$4.5 million) per day just to operate the public service,” Immanuel said…..PACNEWS
FIJI – BUDGET: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Fiji Finance Minister urges unity as debt costs reach $600M
SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel has warned that Fiji’s rising debt burden is consuming hundreds of millions of dollars in interest payments each year, leaving less funding available for critical infrastructure and essential public services.
Continuing his 2026-2027 Budget address in Parliament, Mr Immanuel said annual interest payments on government debt had doubled to almost $600 million, while a further $400 million(US$200 million) to $600 million(US$300 million) was needed each year to refinance maturing debt.
“All these factors have contributed to the significant increase in overall public expenditure,” he said.
Although government revenue had increased from $2.8 billion(US$1.4 billion) to almost $4 billion(US$2 billion) over the past decade,Immanuel said expenditure had grown at a much faster pace.
“What this meant was that Government had to continuously rely on increased borrowings to meet the growing expenditure commitments.”
He said Fiji was now facing a widening gap between government spending and state revenue, with the average fiscal deficit increasing from around 2 percent in the previous decade to approximately 6 percent over the past 10 years.
Immanuel said the dominance of operating expenditure, now approaching $4 billion(US$2 billion) or more than 80 percent of total government spending, had come at the expense of long-term capital investment.
He said this had limited the Government’s ability to build and maintain roads, replace bridges, upgrade hospitals and medical facilities, expand water and wastewater infrastructure, improve drainage systems and create an environment that would support private sector-led economic growth.
The Finance Minister said Fiji’s fiscal challenges had been compounded by the recent global fuel crisis and continued international economic uncertainty, which had further weakened government revenues.
Describing the current trend as unsustainable, Immanuel called for a united national response rather than political point-scoring.
“This chronic challenge of debt-fueled expenditure growth at the current rate cannot be sustained. As a nation we must come together to resolve this.”
“We cannot play the blame game or rant about why we are in this situation. We have to be responsible and solution oriented.”
Immanuel appealed to all Fijians not to politicise the country’s fiscal challenges, saying long-term solutions required collective support.
“I plead that we don’t politicise this issue and call upon everyone to be part of the solution. We need the support and understanding of each and every Fijian.”
“We cannot fall for short-term political gain and populist policies. We need to learn to live within our means. We need to learn to do more with less. And we need to ensure that we deliver the best long-term outcomes for our people,” he said
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel said Fiji’s 2026-2027 Budget maintains a higher fiscal deficit as a temporary response to the global fuel crisis, while outlining a longer-term strategy to reduce borrowing through economic growth rather than higher taxes.
r Immanuel said the Government had set the fiscal deficit at 7 percent of GDP to cushion the impact of lower revenues caused by the global fuel crisis and economic slowdown.
“For this Budget we have kept the fiscal deficit at 7 percent of GDP as a countercyclical response to the global fuel crisis.”
He said the higher deficit was necessary to maintain government spending despite revenues falling by around $200 million while accommodating an additional $200 million in new expenditure.
Immanuel said that without the decline in revenue, the deficit would have been below 5 percent of GDP, while public debt would have been around 83 percent of GDP.
Although defending this year’s deficit, the Finance Minister said the Government’s medium-term objective was to reduce it to around 3 percent of GDP.
“With a 3 percent deficit, our debt to GDP ratio will decline much faster and Government will be able to finance its deficit without putting pressure on the domestic market or getting overly reliant on external debt.”
Immanuel said there were only two realistic ways to reduce the deficit — either reduce expenditure or increase revenue.
However, he firmly rejected raising taxes as the solution.
“But we cannot and should not try to increase our revenues by merely increasing taxes. That is not an option as it will worsen the cost-of-living challenges, further add to the cost of doing business and slow down the economy further with negative consequences for all.”
Instead, he said the Government’s strategy was to expand the economy, creating a larger tax base while maintaining a stable tax regime.
“We have to keep our tax regime stable, with focus placed on supporting the private sector to take the lead.”
Immanuel said Government would work to create a more enabling business environment by streamlining approval processes, removing bureaucratic red tape, addressing skills shortages, improving productivity and competitiveness, tackling the country’s drug and HIV crises, and supporting economic diversification through new businesses and industries.
He also called on Fiji’s major institutional investors, including the Fiji National Provident Fund, Fijian Holdings, BSP Life, Unit Trust, Provincial Councils and other investors, to play a leading role in financing economic expansion.
The Minister said major state-owned entities, including Energy Fiji Limited, Fiji Airports Limited, Fiji Ports Corporation Limited, Fiji Roads Authority and the Water Authority of Fiji, would be expected to provide the infrastructure needed to support future growth.
He added that public investment would complement private sector activity through increased spending on roads, bridges, jetties, water and wastewater infrastructure, health facilities, housing, drainage and waste management.
Immanuel said Government would also prioritise strengthening public sector capability to deliver major infrastructure projects efficiently and ensure value for money. …PACNEWS
NAURU – SUBMARINE CABLE: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Naoero’s east Micronesia cable goes live, ending reliance on satellite internet
YAREN, 26 JUNE 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS)—Naoero has entered a new phase in its telecommunications development.
The East Micronesia Cable (EMC) connection between Naoero and Guam officially went live on 24 June, the Naoero Fibre Cable Division of Cenpac Corporation said.
The launch marks a major milestone for the country’s communications infrastructure, as customers on the Naoero Fibre Cable Division network begin the transition from satellite-based services to the new submarine cable system.
The company said the rollout will start with its existing cable users and will extend over the coming weeks to nationwide mobile and home internet customers.
The new cable is expected to improve international connectivity and provide a more stable and resilient link to the global internet.
Unlike satellite services, which can be affected by rain, heavy cloud cover, and other weather conditions, submarine cables should reduce interruptions and performance drops for users.
Cenpac said network testing and optimisation will continue in the weeks ahead to further improve speed, stability and overall performance.
The company described the activation as an important step toward more dependable digital access for households, businesses and mobile users across Naoero…..PACNEWS
PAC – CHEFS: PMN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Pacific chefs celebrate recognition but there’s more ‘talent to shine’
AUCKLAND, 26 JUNE 2026 (PMN)–Auckland is known as the Polynesian capital of the world, but only a small number of Pacific-owned businesses made a list of the top 100 eateries.
Pacific food business owners say they welcome recognition through Auckland’s Iconic Eats programme, but more South Auckland and Pacific food stories deserve a place on the city’s culinary stage.
A review of this year’s 100-dish Iconic Eats list by Local Democracy Reporting identified seven South Auckland eateries and a small number of Pacific-owned businesses among those recognised.
Among the Pacific-owned businesses featured were chef Michael Meredith’s Metita and Tokos Tacos, the Tongan-owned Avondale eatery founded by Ben Fonua.
Māngere favourite Banh Mi Boy, owned by John Giang, was also recognised.
LDR’s review identified two dishes featuring palusami, a traditional Pacific dish of taro leaves baked with coconut cream, among this year’s 100 entries – Paua Palusami from Trivet and the Palusami Pie from Pakuranga Bakery.
Trivet, whose kitchen is led by Samoan chef Uelese Mua, was approached for comment but did not respond before publication.
Meredith said it was encouraging to see Pacific and ethnic cuisines gaining recognition through a programme that celebrated Auckland’s food culture.
“The more ethnic Polynesian-focused restaurants come up, I think the more we’ll get recognised,” he said. ‘It’s a start, so we’re going to build on that.”
Meredith said there was also scope to better showcase smaller food businesses and takeaways by including different categories. He suggested a dedicated “Iconic Street Eats” initiative could help highlight neighbourhood food businesses and local takeaways.
Fonua said Pacific businesses remained underrepresented despite the contribution Pasifika communities made to Auckland’s hospitality sector.
“But at the same time, I know the potential is there for the Pasifika people to get a lot more winners.”
Fonua said Pacific food businesses had much more to offer Auckland’s food scene.
“I really do think as we progress, the talents will shine later on.”
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited director of destination Annie Dundas said Pacific communities made an important contribution to the city’s culture, identity and hospitality sector.
“Auckland’s food scene reflects the diversity of Tāmaki Makaurau, including the significant contribution Pacific communities make to the city’s culture, identity and hospitality sector.”
Dundas said Iconic Eats was a community-driven programme based on public nominations, with Aucklanders and visitors nominating dishes they loved and sharing the stories behind them.
“As a result, the programme showcases the breadth of Auckland’s food scene and the many cultures, cuisines and communities that shape it, including the important contribution of Pacific food businesses and traditions.”
However, asked whether the programme tracked Pacific representation, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited said it did not formally monitor Pacific-owned businesses or Pacific cuisine as standalone categories.
“We do categorise entries using broad cuisine and food group classifications to understand the diversity of dishes represented across the programme.”
Dundas said businesses regularly reported increased visibility and customer interest after being featured, and the programme encouraged Aucklanders and visitors to explore different neighbourhoods.
Giang, whose Māngere eatery has featured on several previous Iconic Eats lists, and was again among a small number of South Auckland businesses recognised this year, said the recognition provided an opportunity to share his culture through food.
“This is my take and me bringing forward my food, my culture, Vietnamese street food to the heart of South Auckland and just for everyone to enjoy.”
He said there was still room to create more opportunities for small businesses to share their stories.
When asked what more could be done to support food businesses, he said: “Building more platforms for people who want to get out there and put forward their product, their food, their identity, their culture.”
He said many local businesses had strong ideas and unique stories, but often lacked the visibility needed to reach new customers…PACNEWS
FIJI – TAXI FARES HIKE: FBC NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Fijians to pay more for taxi fares from next week
SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FBC NEWS)—Fijians will pay more for taxi services from next week after the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission approved a temporary fare increase due to rising global fuel prices.
The adjustment will take effect from Wednesday, with the drop charge increasing from 10 cents (US$0.05c) to 14 cents (US$0.07c) per 100 metres travelled.
The FCCC says the increase is limited only to the distance-based component of taxi fares, while flag fall and waiting charges will remain unchanged.
For taxis operating in Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Ovalau, Taveuni, and Kadavu, the drop charge will increase from 10 cents to 14 cents ((US$0.05c – (US$0.07c) per 100 metres.
For Nadi International Airport taxis, the drop charge will increase from 15 cents to 21 cents per 100 metres, while other airport taxis across Fiji will see the drop charge increase from 10 cents to 14 cents per 100 metres.
FCCC Chief Executive Senikavika Jiuta said the decision was made following an assessment of the impact of rising fuel prices on taxi operators.
She says taxis, like buses, are an essential public transport service relied on by thousands of Fijians every day.
“Like the bus industry, taxis are an essential public transport service relied upon by thousands of Fijians every day. They provide an important source of income for many families and play a critical role in connecting people to work, education, healthcare, and other essential services.”
Jiuta said the commission received reports that some taxi operators were considering reducing services or temporarily stopping operations due to increasing fuel costs.
She said the temporary adjustment is aimed at ensuring taxi services remain available while balancing the interests of operators and consumers.
The FCCC said the fare adjustment will remain under review and will be reassessed if global fuel prices stabilise or decline.
Consumers are also encouraged to report any unfair trading practices, including overcharging by taxi operators, to the FCCC….PACNEWS
PAC – SHIPPING: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 26 Jun 2026
Fiji welcomes Pacific Blue shipping partnership charter
SUVA, 26 JUNE 2026 (FIJI GOVT)—Fiji has welcomed the signing of the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership (PBSP) Charter, a major step in strengthening regional cooperation to advance sustainable, climate-resilient maritime transport across the Pacific.
Signed earlier this month in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, by seven Pacific Island countries, the Charter formally establishes the PBSP as an international organisation dedicated to supporting a just and equitable transition for domestic shipping.
Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, said the signing marked the culmination of a shared Pacific vision, reflecting the progress made during Fiji’s tenure as outgoing Co-Chair of the Partnership.
He also congratulated the Republic of the Marshall Islands on its appointment as the inaugural Chair of the PBSP Ministerial Council and the selection of Majuro as the Partnership’s headquarters, acknowledging the country’s leadership in sustainable maritime transport and climate action.
The Partnership is strategically important for Fiji, supporting efforts to strengthen maritime connectivity, modernise infrastructure, improve access to climate finance, and promote low-carbon shipping that connects communities, supports trade and tourism, and drives sustainable development.
The PBSP will help mobilise climate finance for low-carbon vessels, maritime infrastructure, workforce development and institutional strengthening across participating Pacific Island countries. Fiji remains committed to working with regional partners to deliver cleaner, safer and more resilient maritime transport systems throughout the Pacific…PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Ugandan solar energy pioneer named 2026 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year
LONDON, 26 JUNE 2026 (COMSEC)—Shifra Ainomugisha from Uganda has been announced as the 2026 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year at the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards ceremony in London on 25 June.
Government representatives, high commissioners, youth leaders, and other stakeholders attended the award ceremony to celebrate young people’s contributions to sustainable development goals in communities across the Commonwealth.
Shifra, founder and CEO of Solafam, an agri-tech social enterprise, was recognised for her climate-smart, AI-driven projects that deliver solar-powered cold storage and irrigation, improving farm productivity and reducing food loss and hunger in communities across Uganda.
Her work is inspired by growing up in a tomato-farming family in Uganda, where she witnessed poor harvests and crops perishing because of inadequate storage and limited market access. Her experience of living in a patriarchal environment, where hard work is often perceived to be associated more with men than women, also motivated her to become an entrepreneur.
Since 2022, Solfam has reached more than 1,500 smallholder farmers – 70 percent of whom are women – cutting post-harvest losses by 30 percent and increasing household incomes by 28 percent, thereby building economic and climate resilience for women and youth in Uganda.
In her remarks, the Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey said: “My congratulations to you all finalists. You are already winners. To be selected from across 56 nations is a testament to your courage and your creativity. You embody the very best of our family. You have shown resilience in the face of challenge and innovation in the face of constraint.”
“Today is not about recognition alone — it is about momentum. It is not about isolated excellence — it is about collective advancement. Together, we will continue to strengthen the Commonwealth Youth Programme as a flagship vehicle for youth development in the Commonwealth,” she said.
It was a double victory for Shifra Ainomugisha, who also received the top regional award for Africa, earning her a total prize of £5,000(US$6, 594).
Overcome with emotion as she accepted the award, she stated: “I am honoured to be named the 2026 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year. This recognition is not only personal but also represents the farmers and communities in Uganda whom we serve. It also affirms that solutions built from lived experience can create real impact. I cannot wait to continue this journey with the support of the Commonwealth and its remarkable network of partners.”
The Youth Awards support young changemakers aged 15–29 by scaling up their innovation. Since their inception, these awards have invested over £400,000 directly into grassroots youth-led enterprises. The investments have reached more than 12 million beneficiaries, generated over 4,250 jobs, and contributed to all 17 SDGs. Crucially, 40 percent of the funding has supported women-led initiatives—reinforcing the Commonwealth’s mandate for gender equality and inclusive growth.
Regional winners
It was also a significant victory for four other regional winners, each of whom will receive a total of £3,000(US$3,956)
Regional Winners 2026
*Asia: Bushra Mahnoor from Pakistan received the Asia Regional Award for her work on promoting affordable sanitary hygiene for women and adolescents.
*Caribbean: Moesha Allen from Jamaica received the Caribbean Regional Award for work which addresses school violence in vulnerable Jamaican communities.
*Europe and Canada: Justin Huang from Canada received the Europe and Canada Award for developing a youth-led ocean conservation initiative that uses AI and open-source satellite imagery to monitor marine plastics and water pollution in near real time.
*Pacific: Aileen Zuhukepe from Papua New Guinea received the Pacific Regional Award for her work on improving early detection of breast cancer among rural women in Papua New Guinea.
The ceremony was streamed live on Facebook. Breaking new ground this year, the Commonwealth Association, a Commonwealth Accredited Organisation, sponsored the inaugural Patsy Robertson Award for Outstanding Communications Skills. The new category was created to honour the legacy of the late Patsy Robertson, a former Director of Communications at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Maria Maina from Kenya clinched the Patsy Robertson Award for her work in advancing gender equality through Social Justice Insights, a digital platform using research, advocacy and storytelling to educate young people on gender-based violence, femicide and women’s rights.
Maria received a cash prize of £1,000(US$1,318), a certificate and a trophy while five other candidates were recognised as finalists.
Each finalist in this category will also receive a complimentary membership in the Commonwealth Journalists Association, granting them access to a global network of journalists and a range of professional development opportunities.
The finalists listed in alphabetical order and by region are:
* Fawaz Adebisi (Nigeria)
*Felicity Akwa (Nigeria)
*Maddy Nicholl (United Kingdom)
*Sawyedul Amin (Bangladesh)
*Tina Afiqah (Brunei Darussalam)
Congratulating the finalists, Max Gaylard, Chair of the Commonwealth Association, said: “We honour Patsy Robertson by rewarding young people and by highlighting the important work of communications professionals”. We are proud to partner with the Commonwealth Secretariat to recognise these outstanding communicators and to showcase the work of the next generation of leaders in this important area.”
From over 970 submissions, 20 finalists were narrowed to five regional winners by a pan-Commonwealth adjudication panel. Each of the 20 finalists will receive a trophy, a certificate and £1,000 to support their work.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work is an initiative of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, which has been supporting youth development work in member countries for over 50 years…..PACNEWS
