Pacific Islands beauty pageant turns ugly

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…

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Concerns Emerge in New Zealand Over Cook Islands’ Upcoming Cooperation Deal with China

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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