by Martin Haffner Associate Editor On Sunday, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown concluded his visit to China. In response to some Western media’s skepticism about the outcomes of his trip, he stated that there will be “nothing to worry about” and emphasized, “Our relationship and engagement with China complements, not replaces, our long-standing relationships with…
Francis Tuschek North Korea has test-fired strategic cruise missiles to demonstrate its nuclear “counterattack” capability, the country’s state news agency KCNA reported on Friday. The missiles covered a distance of 1,587 km in an oval trajectory, taking about 2.2 hours to reach their targets, according to KCNA. This marked the fourth missile launch of the year and…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate more than 90 percent of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding means “nothing’s safe right now,” a regional political expert says. President Donald Trump’s government has said it is slashing around US$60 billion in overall US development and humanitarian assistance around the…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor As the geopolitical landscape in the Pacific region evolves, Australia is grappling with the ramifications of recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid that are expected to significantly impact several nations within its sphere of influence. The reductions, which reflect a shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities, have prompted urgent discussions…
Richard Sanders As of Wednesday, the Tongan government has reported a total of 73 dengue cases. According to a statement from the health ministry, the most affected age group is 10-19 years old. Five cases are currently hospitalized and are stable. Tongatapu, the main island, has the highest number of confirmed cases (33), followed by…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a rare meteorological phenomenon, the South Pacific is currently witnessing the simultaneous development of three tropical cyclones, a situation that has alarmed meteorologists and residents alike. The cyclones—named Tino, Ulysses, and Vicky—are not only impacting local weather patterns but also pose significant threats to several island nations and coastal…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The category 1 system is expected to intensify into a category 2 system overnight. A tropical depression to the east of Vanuatu has intensified and been named Seru, the Fiji weather office has confirmed. Cyclone forecasters at the Fiji Metservice have confirmed to RNZ Pacific that the system is expected…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The head of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) believes that Pacific Island countries have the right to explore relationships with non-traditional partners. Dr Transform Aqorau told delegates attending the two-day Pacific Islands Political Studies Association Conference in Wellington last week that for decades, the region has felt traditional development…
Dave Chamberlain Britain and France are drafting a plan to deploy up to 30,000 “peacekeepers” in Ukraine, depending on whether Moscow and Kiev reach a ceasefire, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing unnamed European officials. However, that plan depends on persuading US President Donald Trump to commit to a limited American military role, the report…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor An international relations professor is warning China’s activity in the Tasman Sea shows it wants to establish a permanent military presence in the Pacific, and New Zealand must prepare for that. Canterbury University’s Anne-Marie Brady said it served as a serious threat, and New Zealand must boost defence spending to…