Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Pacific leaders call for peace amid Middle East tensions as Melanesia eyes regional solidarity
Pacific Media Network
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Pacific leaders have voiced their worries about the ongoing political unrest around the world, especially the conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The concerns were shared during a meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group...
Call for Pacific unity –
The Fiji Times
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July 20, 2025
REGIONAL economic integration is no longer an abstract goal for Pacific countries but the most viable pathway to resilience, said Secretary General for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Baron Waqa as he issued a stern reminder to Pacific trade...
Avaroa taps Hawaiki to boost Pacific communications, connect Samoa and Australia
Pacific News Service
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Avaroa Cable Limited (ACL) has today announced the selection of Hawaiki Submarine Cable LP (Hawaiki) for the turnkey provision of international capacity from Samoa to Australia. A state-owned enterprise of the Cooks Islands Government, and funded...
New opportunities in Oceania Rugby
The Fiji Times
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July 18, 2025
Oceania Rugby president Richard Sapias says the region is set to benefit from new international partnerships, including a potential French-backed competition to be hosted in Fiji, following a productive Annual General Meeting held yesterday at...
Niue: Tally of nations with anti-homosexuality laws drops to 65
Erasing 76 Crimes
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June 23, 2025
South Pacific island nation of Niue repeals law it inherited from New Zealand Pride marcher in New Zealand poses with the flag of the tiny island nation Niue. (Claire-Eastham-Farrelly photo courtesy of NZTV) The South Pacific island nation of Niue...
US, Japan Honiara embassies echo ‘disappointment’ over deferment decision
The Islandsun
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September 3, 2025
BY IRWIN ANGIKI Embassies of Japan and the United States have echoed shared disappointment over Solomon Islands’ decision to exclude dialogue and development partners from this year’s Forum Leaders meeting. Solomon Islands, as chair for the 54th...
Film aims to inspire 'queer' Pacific youth to confidently embrace their true selves
Pacific Media Network
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A Wellington artist says representation is crucial within the Pacific households, especially for young Pacific queer people. Christopher Ulutupu, of Sāmoan-Niuean descent, says many young queer Pasifika face various challenges growing up. Ulutupu...
Pacific News Briefs: Award-Winning Māori Short Film
Samoa News
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June 23, 2025
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — An award-winning short film, which honors the resilience of Māori youth, has been named a finalist at the New Zealand International Film Festival. Written and directed by Aroha Awarau (Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Porou, Niue,...
How Samoa's Ballroom scene is carving space for Pacific futures
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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July 17, 2025
On a warm Tuesday night in Fugalei in Apia, Samoa's capital, the air hums with anticipation as a local hall fills with young people. With the Boom Kaisi Ball just days away, Pacific Rainbow+ youth have gathered for a series of workshops designed...
Tonga Crown Prince calls for ‘Ocean of Peace’ vision
Pacific News Service
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The Tongan Crown Prince has urged Pacific leaders to define peace beyond security at a major regional summit in Suva this week. Speaking at the 2025 Pacific Regional and National Security Conference in Fiji, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala...
Pacific Islands Countries Push For Action at UN Ocean Conference
The Diplomat
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June 20, 2025
Last week, more than 60 world leaders convened in Nice, France, for the third – and the most-attended – United Nations Ocean Conference. There was cause for celebration: during the week-long conference, 19 countries ratified the Agreement on...
Cook Islands backs bold plastic treaty push to support growing national efforts
Cook Island News
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July 14, 2025
Halatoa Fua, Secretary of the National Environment Service with NES staff at the Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting – 25071816 The Cook Islands stands to gain significant international support to back up its growing national efforts to tackle...
Cook Islands' 60th anniversary: 'Who New Zealand sends, sends a message'
RNZ
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July 15, 2025
Dancers prepare to welcome dignitaries at 50th celebrations in Rarotonga in 2015. (file image) Photo: RNZI/Sally Round New Zealand has an opportunity to "show maturity" as Cook Islands celebrates six decades of self-governance, a Cook Islands...
Crown Prince calls for ‘Ocean of Peace’ vision
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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July 16, 2025
The Crown Prince urged Pacific leaders to define peace beyond security at a major regional summit in Suva. Speaking at the 2025 Pacific Regional and National Security Conference in Fiji, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala...
Bizarre international fixture announced as pacific nation launch fundraiser for long-awaited return
Love Rugby League
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July 15, 2025
Japan will play host to Niue in a friendly this autumn, with the fixture representing the latter’s first outing on the international front since 2018! Known as the ‘Samurais’, Japan’s men’s side are currently ranked 41st in the world having played...
Bangladesh’s tax-GDP ratio lowest in Asia-Pacific: OECD
Daily Star
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July 14, 2025
Bangladesh sits at the bottom of a list of 37 countries in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of the tax-to-GDP ratio, largely stemming from the failure to tap into the potential originating from the steady growth of the economy and a lack of...
Niue, the tiny island selling the sea to save it from destru...
Modern Ghana
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On a remote raised coral atoll in the South Pacific, the tiny island nation of Niue is quietly protecting one of the world's most ambitious marine reserves. While global leaders at the UN oceans gathering in Nice debate how to scale up efforts to...
They need to listen and act now: Pacific countries ramp up…
Pacific News Service
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Pacific countries have taken a critical step to finalise their priorities as they ramp up the call for a high-ambition treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. Ahead of the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental...
Japan risks its reputation in Oceania with Fukushima discharge
Pacific News Service
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A rollcall of Pacific Island nations have very different views on the release of treated radioactive wastewater. By Derek Grossman Japan’s decision last month to begin discharging treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean from its...
Pacific media freedom:an update on rankings
The National
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Media freedom is a crucial element of a functioning democracy. In the Pacific Islands, media freedom levels differ. This post analyses is the latest media freedom rankings for Pacific nations and suggests two ways the re-elected Albanese...