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

Nauru Launches Crypto Regulator: A Bold Move In Blockchain!
(MENAFN- Crypto Breaking) The Pacific island nation of Nauru has recently taken significant strides in cryptocurrency regulation by passing new legislative measures. This milestone reflects Nauru's commitment to becoming a compliant and globally...
Why most Pacific governments stand with Israel
A supporter of Israel holds an Israeli flag in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, on 8 October. Photo: JULIA NIKHINSON / AFP Amid uncertainty in the Middle East, one thing remains clear: most Pacific governments continue to align...
Pacific nation Nauru passes law to establish a crypto regulator
The tiny Pacific nation of Nauru has passed legislation to establish a dedicated virtual asset regulatory authority covering crypto, digital banking and Web3 innovation, aiming to become a crypto hub. Nauru is a western Pacific Island sovereign...
‘Only 15’: Predator’s twisted Grindr text
A convicted child sex pest from Lebanon who was caught in a vigilante sting attempting to meet a 15-year-old boy on Grindr should be allowed to stay in the country due to his “low risk of reoffending” and “contribution to the Australian...

ADB’s Director General for Pacific in Honiara
Director General (DG) of the Pacific Department within the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) is on a five-day visit to the Solomons. Emma Veve who was appointed to the position in late February 2025 arrived in Honiara on Monday and has been visiting...

What a Potential Travel Ban on Tuvalu Reveals About US Foreign Policy Under Trump
In mid-June 2025 reports emerged that the Trump administration would consider adding to its existing travel ban on 19 countries (signed in early June) an additional 36 countries, including three in the Pacific: Vanuatu, Tonga, and Tuvalu. In an...

Fiji and Japan sign agreement on project for improving cyber security capability in the Pacific
Fiji and Japan sign agreement on project for improving cyber security capability in the Pacific Permanent Secretary of Policing Berenado Daveta and JICA Fiji Office Resident Representative Satoshi Wakasugi signed an agreement on the record of...

Nauru says deep sea mining and ocean conservation can coexist
Deep sea mining involves extracting potato size rocks called nodules - which are packed full of valuable metals - from the seafloor many kilometres deep. (file image) Photo: NOAA Ocean Exploration Ocean conservation and deep sea mining are not in...

Australia overtakes China in the Pacific as America vacates the lane
Something interesting is happening in how Australians think about their own country’s influence in the Pacific. According to the Lowy Institute’s 2025 poll, 39 per cent of Australians now see Australia as the most influential power in the Pacific...

Pacific Economic Update: Slowing Growth Highlights Need for More Inclusive Workforce
HONIARA, June 17, 2025 — Economic growth is slowing across the Pacific as countries face weak global growth, natural hazards and climate related shocks. The World Bank’s flagship Pacific Economic Update, released today in Honiara, projects...
New Zealand withdraws millions in aid from Cook Islands
New Zealand has abruptly halted nearly $NZ20 million ($US11 million) in funding to the Cook Islands in retaliation for a partnership agreement the tiny Pacific Island nation concluded with China in February without consulting Wellington. NZ...

'Slow but sure' economic rise in most of Pacific - World Bank
Photo: AFP The Pacific regional economy is growing, slowly but surely, reports the World Bank. In their latest Pacific update, released 17 June, they argue for more employment of women to help the economy amidst global economic uncertainty,...

Travel ban stays as High Court refuses Grace Road’s Daniel Kim to go to Nauru
The Lautoka High Court last week refused to uplift a travel ban on Grace Road President, Daniel Kim. He had filed an application for bail variation on June 6 to allow him to travel to Nauru for a meeting with the country’s President, David W.R...

China irks NZ as its influence spreads in the South Pacific
Hong Kong, June 23 (ANI): The Pacific Islands are considered a point of vulnerability for Chinese encroachment and influence peddling, and the Cook Islands is following in the footsteps of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in signing strategic deals...
Pacific media freedom:an update on rankings
Media freedom is a crucial element of a functioning democracy. In the Pacific Islands, media freedom levels differ. This post analyses is the latest media freedom rankings for Pacific nations and suggests two ways the re-elected Albanese...

Pacific lawyers meet in Tonga to develop cybercrime toolkit
The Attorney‑General’s Office hosted the first in‑person Pacific Islands Law Officers’ Network (PILON) Cybercrime Legislation Implementation Handbook Subcommittee workshop from 11–13 June at the Tano’a Hotel in Nuku’alofa. Attended by delegates...

World News | China Irks NZ as Its Influence Spreads in the South Pacific
Hong Kong, June 23 (ANI): The Pacific Islands are considered a point of vulnerability for Chinese encroachment and influence peddling, and the Cook Islands is following in the footsteps of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in signing strategic deals...

Pacific news in brief for 16 June
More than 20,000 malicious IP addresses have been taken down as part of Interpol's Operation Secure. Photo: Unsplash / RNZ Nauru - Interpol Two people have been arrested in Nauru in connection to a massive cyber info-stealer bust. More than 20,000...
Need for independent science during plastic treaty negotiations
Poor science heard during the negotiations for a new Plastics Treaty has caused concern for the Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty. A group of approximately 240 scientists representing over 250 independent scientists across the...
20,000 malicious IPs and domains taken down in INTERPOL infostealer crackdown
SINGAPORE – More than 20,000 malicious IP addresses or domains linked to information stealers have been taken down in an INTERPOL-coordinated operation against cybercriminal infrastructure. During Operation Secure (January – April 2025) law...