Richard Sanders in Olongapo The PREDA Foundation, established in 1974 by Father Shay Cullen in the Philippines, has become a symbol of hope and resilience in the battle against child abuse and exploitation. This non-governmental organization, which stands for People’s Recovery, Empowerment, and Development Assistance, has been instrumental in rescuing, healing, and empowering abused children….
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 In the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, amidst the rolling waves and the rhythmic ebb and flow of the tides, lies a structure that has baffled archaeologists and oceanographers alike: an ancient, underwater edifice that might hold secrets to human civilization and the enigmatic cultures that once thrived in…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor A policing expert in the Pacific says that as cyber threats become more sophisticated, the role of governments and organisations in safeguarding their assets has never been more critical. To address this, a security awareness training programme is being implemented to develop an information security mindset within the Pacific police…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a significant demonstration of military collaboration, China and Russia have successfully completed a joint aerial patrol in the Pacific region. This operation, which took place in early October 2023, underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two nations amidst a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and evolving security dynamics…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Training commenced this week in Suva, Fiji, aimed at assisting Pacific health professionals in tracking mosquito resistance to insecticides. The Pacific Mosquito Surveillance Strengthening for Impact (PacMOSSI) program encompasses various activities, such as identifying mosquito species to determine their local distributions, collecting larvae, and breeding Aedes mosquitoes for testing. Mosquito…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Pacific Island leaders have tried almost everything—from giving speeches in knee-deep seawater, to shouting and crying —to draw attention to the impacts of climate change on their nations. But as their attempts to spark drastic action have been met by slow-moving international climate negotiationsand the continued use of fossil fuels, interest in…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is getting healthier compared to other regions and was the least affected by Covid-19 deaths in the first two years, but the incidence of non-communicable diseases is rising due to increased smoking and drinking of alcohol. This mix of good…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor China has surpassed the United States and regained its place as the second-largest bilateral donor to the Pacific Islands, according to a new report published Wednesday by the Lowy Institute. Australia remains the largest donor. Every year, the Lowy Institute, an Australia-based research group, releases a Pacific Aid Map that…
by Jake Sanders, Editor Pacific media watchdogs have expressed concerns that strict limitations at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa indicate the government’s desire to control the narrative and minimize negative coverage. The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Pacific Freedom Forum have jointly appealed to Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiame…