

Tsunami warning in the Caribbean after 7.6 mangitude earthquake in the Pacific: these are the affected areas
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea north of Honduras on Saturday, prompting neighboring islands and countries to issue tsunami alerts, including an advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “There is a tsunami threat for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands due to sea level fluctuations and…

Fiji Faces Rising Child Abuse Concerns: A Call for Action Inspired by NGOs
Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica Richard Sanders In a stark revelation, Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, who also co-chairs the anti-porn taskforce, disclosed that social media companies in the United States reported over 3,600 cases of child sexual abuse material being shared on their platforms in Fiji in 2024. This alarming statistic underscores…

Mark Brown on China deal: ‘No need for New Zealand to sit in the room with us’
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand is asking for too much oversight over its deal with China, which is expected to be penned in Beijing next week. Brown told RNZ Pacific the Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship was reciprocal. “They certainly did not consult with us when…

Cook Islands reportedly dropping separate passport idea, Winston Peters ‘blindsided’ by China move
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Foreign Affairs Minister’s office is aware of media reporting suggesting the Cook Islands has backed down from its controversial proposal to introduce its own passport, an initiative that threatened to shake the island state’s relationship with New Zealand. It comes as Peters also expressed shock on Friday morning that…

Cook Islands PM Critiques New Zealand’s Oversight Demands in China Agreement
Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands has expressed concerns that New Zealand is requesting excessive oversight regarding their upcoming agreement with China, which is set to be finalized in Beijing next week. In a recent statement, Brown emphasized that the relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is reciprocal. He pointed out…

Fiji leader to press Pacific Islands concerns in Washington after U.S. aid frozen
by Martin Haffner Associte Editor Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, is set to embark on a crucial diplomatic mission to Washington, D.C., to address pressing concerns from Pacific Island nations regarding the recent freeze on U.S. aid. The move comes amid growing apprehension among Pacific leaders about the implications of U.S. budgetary decisions and the…

Solomon Islands landowners file for compensation over 300-tonne oil spill near world heritage site
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Solomon Islands’ UNESCO Heritage Site at Risk: Landowners Seek Compensation for Devastating Oil Spill HONIARA, Solomon Islands – A group of landowners in the Solomon Islands has embarked on a long and arduous journey, seeking compensation for a devastating oil spill that has ravaged their ancestral lands and polluted one…

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have formalized a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive sustainable development and climate resilience across Pacific Island Countries (PICs). This collaboration leverages the strengths of both organizations to protect the Pacific’s…

Cook Islands government accused of misleading public on seabed mining
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Over 150 people headed out to sea in vessels of all sizes to promote their call for ocean protection. Photo: Supplied / Ocean Ancestors Cook Islands government is misleading the public into believing the country is undecided on whether to allow deep seabed mining, claims an advocate for ocean conservation and protection….

PNG Prime Minister Calls for Greater Support for Women’s Roles Amid Gender Equality Challenges
Tusi Tala Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape emphasized the significance of women’s roles in “maintaining the household and nurturing children” during a recent meeting with the United Nations’ leading representative for gender equality in the region. Marape’s office announced that he met with Christine Arab, UN Women’s Asia Pacific regional director, in Port…