Looking back, moving forward
AS Pacific leaders prepare to gather in Palau for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM55), it pays to look at the past and forward to the future in order to better decide what course of action to take
Whispers
Red money WHAT’S the real reason behind the decision to challenge the appointment of a woman to head a sub-regional body for the first time?
PACNEWS THREE, 19 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. UN — Tonga nominates Ecuadorian diplomat in race to be next UN chief2. USA — U.S sued as it pushes to auction massive tracks of water around American Samoa3. PACIFIC — Pacific
PACNEWS TWO, 19 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — China dismisses Palau President’s missile test claims as Pacific leaders prepare to discuss issue2. PACIFIC — Winston Peters urges Pacific leaders to put economic growth at
PACNEWS SPORTS, 19 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. RUGBY — Nakarawa returns home to join Fijian Drua2. FOOTBALL — OFC Men’s Champions League 2026 will be held in Ba on Wednesday3. BADMINTON — Pacific representatives
PACNEWS ONE, 19 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — ‘Regional ownership matters most,’ Pacific foreign ministers say amid fragile bloc unity2. COOKS — Cook Islands election gives Brown powerful majority as Mangaia MPs join
Operation Island Chief identifies 16 vessels in illegal fishing crackdown
A REGIONAL surveillance operation targeting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing identified 16 vessels of interest and led to the detention or apprehension of four
PACNEWS TWO, 18 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. TONGA — Tongan leader backs ‘renewed blood’ as three ministers join Cabinet2. USA/FIJI — Alleged US$165 million crypto Ponzi scheme mastermind deported from Fiji to U.S3. PACIFIC
PACNEWS ONE, 18 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Key Pacific leader pushes for ‘united front’ against China’s missile tests2. PACIFIC — Former Forum SG Taylor calls for Pacific leadership grounded in culture and
PACNEWS THREE, 17 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PACIFIC — Human rights groups urge Tuvalu and Ireland to put rights at centre of fossil fuel transition talks2. SOL — Solomon Islands shapes first national response to climate Loss
PACNEWS TWO, 17 AUGUST 2026
In this bulletin: 1. PNG — Papua New Guineans to start serving in Australian defence force2. PALAU — PIF 2026: Palau prepares for a Pacific meeting shaped by regional divisions3. VAN — Former Vanuatu
