Take them off: Concern over teen social media use

Australia’s bold move to ban social media for children under 16 years, a world-first law, has sparked a global debate. The policy is now a topic of conversation and consideration in many countries, including those in

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Briefs

American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s Department of Health has announced an increase in respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the flu. The Department of Health is urging people to

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Movers and Shakers

Aisake Eke is Tonga’s new Prime Minister, after the shock resignation of Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku, just before the latter faced a discussion and ballot on a Vote of No Confidence in his government. Dr Eke is

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Hundreds of Fijians, Tongans among 1.4 million facing deportation from US

A total of 151 Tongans is currently among the estimated 1.4 million people in the United States who are at risk of deportation, reports said. It comes after President Donald Trump held firm to his campaign promise of

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No changes to Tonga cabinet – PM

Tonga’s Prime Minister, Dr Aisake Eke, has announced that his new Cabinet will comprise the same ministers from the previous administration until his new ministers are officially appointed. Eke was officially

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MSG Spearheads Fight in Landmark ICJ Climate Change Case

In a historic occasion for the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to amplify the Pacific’s call for climate justice, the sub-regional bloc’s Secretariat had the rare privilege of joining Vanuatu, to open the momentous

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Pacific Person of the year: Emmanuel Tjibaou

For Kanak cultural and political leader Emmanuel Tjibaou, 2024 has been quite the year. On 13 May, after months of peaceful protest, New Caledonia erupted in violence as young people rioted across the capital Noumea and

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Taking climate activism to the ICJ

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has heard the largest case in its history: to clarify what countries are legally required to do to combat climate change. The case saw 96 countries and 11 international

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Indo-Pacific Trumps Blue Pacific

On 20 January, US President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office. The US Republican leader has pledged engagement with island states, particularly in the northern Pacific. But at a time of heightened US-China

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USP Leader signals plan to resign

University of the South Pacific (USP) Council members meeting in Cook Islands in late November heard Vice Chancellor and President (VCP) Pal Ahluwalia state his intention to resign, and that he wanted to negotiate the

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Nauru’s new citizenship program is leading the world

Generating revenue has always been a challenge for Pacific Island nations, but the amount of funding required has dramatically increased with the need for large-scale climate resilience solutions, including expensive

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Opinion: Trump’s relations with the Blue Pacific

The second Trump administration will find a region different from when last in office. Pacific Islands countries view Donald Trump’s impending return as US president with hope and apprehension. Trump’s attention on

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