News
Seven-year-old is sixth dengue-related death in Samoa
Schools in Samoa are closed for a third straight week due to the outbreak. Audio
Show me the money: finance question for plastics treaty
Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are scheduled for a regional meeting on Tuesday in Geneva.
Marriage Act in Solomon Islands under review
Around six percent of girls are married before the age of 15 in the country. Audio
Nauru grants first citizenship through investment scheme
The first approved applicants are a German family who recently sold their business and are living in Dubai, the Nauru government says.
Fiji's anti-corruption watchdog charges top prosecutor
New Zealand citizen Christopher Pryde says he is "dismayed" at FICAC's decision "to charge me in absentia". He claims there is a concerted effort to keep him out of Fiji.
Four confirmed and one probable dengue-related death in Samoa
The Samoan government says more than 5600 clinically diagnosed dengue cases have been recorded since January.
US tariffs: Some Pacific nations get relief, others face increase
Pacific Islands still face tariffs from the United States, but some rates are lower than originally announced in April. Audio
Nauru is the latest Pacific nation to report dengue deaths
The first reported case of dengue fever in Nauru was on 27 June. Audio
Tsunami threat eases across Pacific following magnitude 8.8 quake off Russia's coast
There are now no formal warnings in the Pacific, but the threat of tsunami waves remains possible.
Pacific on tsunami watch following powerful 8.8 quake off Russia
The Cook Islands Meteorological Service has upgraded its earlier tsunami advisory to a tsunami warning following 8.8 magnitude quake off of Russia.
Baby found in hostel bin at university
An investigation is underway in Fiji after newborn baby was found in a sanitary bin in the toilets of a university student hostel in Lautoka city.
PM Manele visiting NZ this week
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says Solomon Islands is an important partner for New Zealand.
More Pasifika households denied emergency housing - report
A new report on homelessness in Aotearoa shows more Pasifika families were denied emergency housing due to ineligibility than were accepted in the month of March.
Australia opens 2025 visa ballot for Pacific
The Pacific Engagement Visa programme allocates up to 3000 visas from nine Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to live and work in Australia permanently.
Pacific news in brief for 16 July
A round-up of news from around the region, including Tonga's National Health Information System - hacked three weeks ago in a cyber attack - now back in action.
Medical students are reportedly submitting AI-generated assignments
It is causing concerns among health educators in the country.
Over 102,000 register to vote, candidate nominations open
The Samoa Electoral Commission says the nomination of candidates to contest the general election next month is underway.
Manusina player asks for financial help for Rugby World Cup
"Funding for teams like Manusina is scarce and financially has been weighing heavy on our minds."
China rejects 'false narratives' on Pacific military base claims
Beijing's embassy in Fiji says it is not interested in geopolitical competition, warning that its cooperation with Pacific Island nations "can never be erased by smears".
'Please tell the Holy Father that we're sinking'
Archbishop Ryan Jimenez of Agaña, Guam, has spoken to Pope Leo XIV about the climate challenge the Pacific faces. Audio
78,000 in FSM to benefit from US$17.9m climate-health project
The Federated States of Micronesia has developed a major climate change and health programme aimed at preventing the spread of climate-sensitive diseases.
American Samoa on alert after dengue cases confirmed
The territory's health department says the disease was found in travelers who recently returned from Samoa. Audio
Bougainville parliament wrapping up ahead of election process
President Ishmael Toroama says he is "committed to building a government that is efficient, accountable, and fully capable of leading Bougainville into the future."
Nearly 95,000 Samoan voters fully registered - electoral office
The country's electoral commissioner says based on the 2021 Census, that's 81 percent of all eligible voters who have completed full registration, including biometrics and photos.
About 14 million births in Asia and Pacific not registered within first year
Governments across Asia and the Pacific have made a pledge to ensure all births are registered and all deaths recorded by 2030.