by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Honolulu, Hawaii – Climate change is causing irreparable damage to the Pacific Islands, not only in the form of rising sea levels, intense storms, and coral bleaching but also through a significant decline in tuna stocks. The devastating impact on the tuna population has far-reaching consequences for the region’s economy,…
Richard Sanders Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims has uncovered a massive gap of nearly $5 trillion in US federal spending that it cannot account for. DOGE has claimed that Treasury records made some payments untraceable. Since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on January 20, DOGE has been pressing ahead with budget…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Tarotonga, Cook Islands – Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced his government’s commitment to releasing details of a significant deal with China, amidst growing concerns about transparency and potential impacts on the South Pacific nation’s sovereignty. The move comes after increasing pressure from the opposition and international observers demanding more…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is hoping to have “an opportunity to talk” with the New Zealand government to “heal some of the rift that has occurred from our side.” Brown returned to Avarua on Monday afternoon (Sunday, Cook Islands Time), following his week-long state visit to China, where…
瓦努阿图撤销贸易专员外交护照，因担忧滥用权力 Richard Sanders In a move aimed at addressing growing public unease, Vanuatu’s Internal Affairs Minister, Andrew Napuat, has signed an order revoking diplomatic passports held by trade commissioners. The Vanuatu Daily Post reports that Minister Napuat stated the government has received credible reports of inappropriate conduct by a number of trade commissioners, prompting the…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown (left), Cook Islands Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tukaka Ama, China’s Premier Li Qiang, China’s Minister of Natural Resources Guan ZhiouFrom left: Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Cook Islands Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tukaka Ama meeting with…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Cook Islands has signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement with China without disclosing the contents with New Zealand prior to ratification. Cook Islands Foreign Minister Tingika Elikana confirmed to RNZ on Saturday morning the deal with China had been signed. While the agreement has been long-signalled, the manner in…
Richard Sanders, Kaoshiung, Taiwan The Pacific Islands, characterized by their vast ocean expanses and scattered geography, face unique challenges in the electoral process. With many islands being remote and accessible only by boat or plane, traditional voting methods often lead to logistical nightmares. Voter turnout can be influenced by the difficulty of reaching polling stations,…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The tranquil beauty of the Pacific Islands has been marred by controversy in recent days, as allegations of bribery and favoritism have rocked the annual Miss Pacific Islands beauty pageant. The pageant, which has been a staple of the region’s cultural calendar for decades, has been plagued by accusations that…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Apia, Samoa – In an unexpected turn of events following the recent Miss Pacific Islands pageant, a group of judges has found themselves the focus of a police investigation after being questioned and stopped at the border upon attempting to leave Samoa. The incident has cast a shadow over the…