New study to explore how Pacific Gamers build community online
PACIFIC gamers across New Zealand, Australia and the wider Pacific are being recruited for a study examining how online gaming shapes wellbeing, identity, belonging and social relationships.
PM Wale urges unity to deliver reforms in Solomon Islands
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called on Members of Parliament to put aside political divisions and work together to deliver long-awaited reforms, saying leadership should be measured by service rather
Nuclear justice, climate resilience top Marshall Islands president’s parliamentary agenda
MARSHALL Islands President Hilda C. Heine called for stronger national security, climate adaptation and public-sector reform as parliament resumed, warning that geopolitical tensions, extreme weather and rising living
Solomon Islands reaffirms commitment to One China policy
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the One-China policy, describing it as the cornerstone of the country’s bilateral relationship with the
US Visa bonds hit five Pacific nations
NATIONALS from five Pacific Islands Forum member countries will continue to face United States visa bonds of up to $USD20,000 for temporary travel under the Trump administration's now-permanent Visa Bond Program.
PNG seeks Timor-Leste troops for 2027 election security force
PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said he would ask Timor-Leste to provide 200 defence personnel for a proposed multinational force to help secure and supervise PNG’s 2027 national
Fiji strengthens defence ties with Indonesia
FIJI has strengthened defence ties with Indonesia after 14 Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel took part in a major multinational peacekeeping exercise in Bogor.
PNG-Vanuatu breaks ground on new chancery in Port Vila
PAPUA New Guinea and Vanuatu broke ground for a new PNG diplomatic mission in Port Vila, deepening ties between the two Melanesian neighbours 46 years after a PNG military intervention helped secure Vanuatu’s
Pacific linguist urges Cook Islanders to embrace heritage
MORE Cook Islanders call New Zealand home and that means holding on to their culture and traditions can be a challenge at the best of times. Senior lecturer in Māori Studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of
Government announces $100,000 grant for WOWS Kids Fiji
“EVERY child matters, early diagnosis saves lives.”
Are social media algorithms killing Pacific news? — Part 2
AS demonstrated in the previous article in this two-part series, Pacific publishers have seen sharp, unexplained falls in their Facebook reach, at a time when much of the region depends on the platform for news,
Are social media algorithms killing Pacific news? — Part 1
FACEBOOK is strangling Pacific journalism, with some news organisations losing up to 70 per cent of their audience almost
Tuvalu launches new police strategy for safer communities
TUVALU has put partnership at the centre of its next phase of policing. Prime Minister Feleti Teo launched the Tuvalu Police Service Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and unveiled the Service’s new logo. The five-year
RMI and New Taipei seal museum pact
THE Republic of the Marshall Islands and New Taipei City have formalised a sister museum partnership to strengthen cultural cooperation and preserve Austronesian heritage. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed
Wale: Friends to all, enemies to none
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to an independent foreign policy, saying the priority is to advance national interests rather than become entangled in
Fiji’s HIV crisis deepens as meth use drives new infections
THE shape of Fiji’s HIV epidemic is now being described in alarming terms — a graph rising sharply, almost like a cobra lifting its head before a strike. For years, Fiji recorded very low HIV numbers across its
Naoero withdraws recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia
NAOERO has announced the withdrawal of its recognition of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia as independent states. The decision also marks the immediate termination of diplomatic relations
Timor Leste army builds all-women unit
NEW Zealand has deployed eight army instructors to Timor-Leste where they will help build foundational soldier skills in an all-female Timor-Leste Defence Force platoon group.
Traffickers go digital, trapping victims in scam networks
TRAFFICKERS are increasingly using social media, fraudulent job ads and other digital platforms to trap people in forced labour and forced criminality.
Naoero returns: Pacific nation reclaims its ancestral name
THE Republic of Nauru has officially reclaimed its traditional name, Naoero, marking a historic shift that leaders say is about restoring national identity rather than creating a new one.
Fiji raises alarm over scams, labour abuse
FIJI is stepping up efforts to fight human trafficking, forced labour and online exploitation as digital scams and fraudulent job offers increasingly lure vulnerable young people.
Fiji launches climate insurance cover for MSMEs
FIJI has launched a new parametric insurance product to help micro, small and medium enterprises recover faster from climate-related disasters.
Solomon Islands and Hong Kong to begin visa-free travel
TRAVEL between the Solomon Islands and Hong Kong will become easier from August 26, when a reciprocal visa-free arrangement takes effect.
