Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Unlocking Sustainable Finance, Key to Transition Pacific SIDS Economies
Apia, Samoa – 20 June 2025 – A timely policy dialogue held this week in Apia discussed ways to unlock sustainable finance solutions for Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This is recognition of the critical role sustainable finance...

No tax on basic food and $1K for newborns: HRPP election promise
Newborns to receive $1000 and the removal of Value Added Goods and Services Tax (VAGST) from basic food items are part of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) election promise to alleviate poverty. HRPP announced the third instalment of its...

Land Rover launches new model paying homage to 1980s classic 4X4s - and it's not cheap
Land Rover has unveiled a special-edition Defender to pay homage to a classic model that proved the incredible off-road capabilities of the British 4X4s in the 1980s by racing across some of the world's most gruelling terrains. New 'Trophy...

FITNESS to Fight Corruption. Malimali's Tuvalu admission - Drunk and Crashing Out in the Judge's Hotel Room who was hearing her client's case- a damaging blow to FICAC's Integrity. Her SACKING is JUSTIFIED
Fijileaks: Under Judicial Service Commission (JSC) standards, knowledge of such serious misconduct—specifically, Malimali admitting to drinking and “crashing out” in a judge’s room during the Tuvalu appeal—would almost certainly have disqualified...
The Countries With The Highest Share Of International Migrants May Surprise You
The number of international migrants worldwide hit 304 million in 2024, a figure that has doubled since 1990. As people relocate across borders for reasons ranging from work opportunities to conflict and displacement, certain countries have become...
Pacific news in brief for 19 June
The Porgera region of Enga Province experienced the devastating Mulitaka landslide, which claimed many lives and shut the main road link out of the district. Photo: Zijin Mining Papua New Guinea - mining The mining company New Porgera is...
Lewas hand four-wicket beating to Samoa
THE Papua New Guinea Lewas delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday, securing a four-wicket victory over Samoa in the women’s PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational at Amini Park, Port Moresby. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the...

Pacific Nations Cup 2025 finals set for Denver, Utah
DENVER — World Rugby, in partnership with USA Rugby and TEG Rugby Live, has announced the full schedule for the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup, marking the second edition of the revitalized international tournament. In Brief: Denver to host PNC 2025...

The Knights' six rising talents in State of Origin arena
The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long...
NZ Rugby says it isn't blocking Pacific heritage players from representing island nations
Jona Nareki in action for the Highlanders during a Super Rugby Pacific match earlier this year. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber/ActionPress Professional rugby players contracted to New Zealand-based Super Rugby clubs are free to choose which national team...

Team Samoa off to Palau despite cash issues
The Samoa Association of Sports and the National Olympic Committee challenged the 46 athletes to the Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games to bring 49 medals amidst financial challenges. President Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork said they only received $168,000...

At UN Ocean Conference, Nations and Funders Seek to Create and Expand Large-Scale Marine Protected Areas
NICE, France—Resolute about their efforts to protect 30 percent of the Earth’s global ocean by 2030, world leaders agreed to sweeping but nonbinding commitments at last week’s United Nations Ocean Conference to designate vast stretches of their...
Reinforcing the links between the law and Pacific fisheries' sectors
The Judicial Symposium 2025 opened on Wednesday in Honiara, bringing together Regional Chief Justices of Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Justice experts and fisheries...

Decades of climate uncertainty: Cook Islands grower speaks
After more than 30 years of farming on her Takuvaine plantation, Jean Tekura Mason says climate change has disrupted everything she understood about farming. “I’ve been a planter, gardener for over 30 years basically and what I’ve noticed over...

Investigation of fatal shooting at Utah 'No Kings' rally continues with no charges yet filed
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah investigators sought help from the public on Wednesday as they work to unravel who was at fault when a safety volunteer at a “No Kings” rally fired at an alleged gunman and inadvertently hit and killed a protester. The...

Samoan traditional healers' holistic approach, diet expertise, and spirituality attract patients
Traditional healers have a key role in Samoan society, say experts who interviewed 14 Taulasea in Samoa and Aotearoa. The Taulasea said their practise has a deep spiritual aspect and they consider it a freely offered 'act of service', expecting...

BOB BIRD: A renewal of anti-war conservatives
American history has always been taught from a perspective that centralization and an increase of government power is good. Thus, the maligned Articles of Confederation have long been tossed into the dustbin as short-sighted, inefficient and...

Armed robbery of delivery truck in Samoa
Three men armed with knives held up a delivery truck in a brazen violent daylight robbery at Best Buy Supermarket in Vailoa, Faleata last Friday. A police search is underway for the three suspects. Samoa Observer reports the men assaulted the...

The Pacific Islands: America’s Power Vacuum and China’s Offensive
The United States has traditionally provided significant assistance to Pacific island countries. Many of these countries and regions still use the U.S. dollar as their currency and, absent their own armed forces, rely on the U.S. military for...

In Quran burning conviction, UK judge uses violence against defendant as evidence of his guilt
Last year, FIRE launched the Free Speech Dispatch, a regular series covering new and continuing censorship trends and challenges around the world. Our goal is to help readers better understand the global context of free expression. Want to make...