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…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a bid to combat rising health issues associated with the ‘Western diet,’ researchers are urging people to adopt dietary habits similar to those of residents in various Pacific islands. The call to action comes as a growing body of scientific evidence highlights the benefits of traditional diets that emphasize…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Location: Suva, Fiji — In a development that has raised eyebrows among Western powers and regional allies, the Pacific island nation of [Insert Island Name] is poised to deepen its economic and political ties with China. This shift comes amid ongoing concerns about China’s growing influence in the Pacific, which…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a significant shift that could alter the balance of power in the Pacific region, a key US ally has begun to reassess its foreign aid commitments to a strategic Pacific nation, raising concerns about the potential for increased Chinese influence in the area. The nation in question, which has…
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters Richard Sanders On Sunday, New Zealand’s foreign minister expressed “significant concern” regarding the Cook Islands’ imminent cooperation agreement with China. Prime Minister Mark Brown is scheduled to visit Beijing next week, where he is expected to sign a “joint action plan” aimed at establishing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with…
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…