Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
An Aston Martin, fine art and a yacht: Police probe millions spent protecting detention company luxury
WAtoday
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June 18, 2025
The latest allegations about the AFP’s targeting of Canstruct – the Australian government’s biggest South Pacific contractor – pose a fresh political challenge for the Albanese government after it campaigned hard on integrity and sought to...
Bring back Rwanda scheme to end small boats crisis, says architect of Australia's successful migrant crackdown
Daily Mail
·
June 20, 2025
The mastermind behind Australia's migrant crackdown has called on Keir Starmer to 'reinstitute' the Rwanda scheme. Alexander Downer called on the Prime Minister to 'eat a bit of political humble pie' and resurrect the scheme, which was scrapped...
Reinforcing the links between the law and Pacific fisheries' sectors
RNZ
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June 18, 2025
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...
Mastermind of Australia’s successful small boats crackdown urges Sir Keir Starmer to resurrect Rwanda plan
The U.S. Sun
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June 19, 2025
A MASTERMIND of Australia’s successful small boats crackdown has urged Sir Keir Starmer to resurrect the Rwanda plan. Alexander Downer said it was a tragedy Labour axed the scheme and the PM should “eat political humble pie”. 3 Alexander Downer,...
Maltese human rights expert John Pace honoured in Australia
Times of Malta
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June 18, 2025
A Maltese human rights expert and former UN senior official has been recognised in Australia’s King’s Birthday Honours List. John Pace, a former secretary of the UN Commission on Human Rights, was recognised for his “distinguished service to...
Seven things we learned at the UN Ocean Conference (and one we didn’t)
The Third Pole
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June 18, 2025
The French port of Nice was overrun last week with politicians and diplomats sweltering in suits, cooler representatives from NGOs and local communities, and a staggering number of police. More heads of state, governments and members of civil...
The Stars and Stripes Diplomacy of the Vatican: Leo XIV Inherits Pope Francis’s Chinese Legacy
Pressenza
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June 19, 2025
Fuzhou, June 2025 – The appointment of Bishop Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou by the Vatican marks a turning point in Sino-Vatican relations. Under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV, the first US pontiff, the Holy See has fully implemented...
Slowing growth faces Pacific, need for more inclusive workforce highlighted
Solomon Star
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June 17, 2025
HONIARA — 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 on Tuesday in Honiara, projects regional growth...
Who really owns what? Beneficial ownership reforms gain ground in the Pacific
The Pacific Island Times
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June 15, 2025
A single question posed at the start of a regional transparency webinar stopped many in their tracks: "Have you heard of beneficial ownership before?" It wasn’t just a conversation starter. It was a litmus test for how well Pacific island nations...
Palau votes with US and Israel in opposing UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire
Island Times
·
June 17, 2025
Palau voted with the United States and Israel in opposing a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. Palau is one of the 12 countries that voted against the resolution, which was backed by 149 member states,...
Morocco ranks 111 globally in tobacco use, but big gaps remain between men and women
Hespress
·
June 16, 2025
Moroccans don’t smoke as much as many other countries, but tobacco use is still a public health concern, according to a new report by the CIA’s World Factbook. The report says that about 12.3% of the Moroccan population over the age of 15 smokes,...
Tan, Andrew strike gold in athletics
Marianas Variety
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(Northern Marianas Sports Association) — A smiling Tania Tan crossed the finish line of the women’s 10,000m race at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau on Friday morning — and she had more than one reason to smile. She bagged the gold medal,...
Morning Mail: Israel and Iran threaten further escalation; severe jobseeker penalties exposed; Piastri collides with teammate
The Guardian
·
June 15, 2025
Good morning. World leaders are urging Israel and Iran to de-escalate their conflict – but as yet there is no sign of either country stepping back from the brink as they continue to exchange missile fire. There are reports that Donald Trump...
The big reset: How will Tom Harley and Greg Swann improve the AFL?
The Sydney Morning Herald
·
June 15, 2025
“It’s important they have the respect of the football world because so many calls made are 50/50,” one board member said. Loading That means clubs need to respect, rather than necessarily agree, with decisions being made at head office. “They are...
UNESCO Cultural Chief Ottone Urges Promoting Paris as Catalyst for Peace, Guardian of Shared Heritage
Bulgarian News Agency
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Paris should continue to be promoted as a catalyst for trust and peace, a driver of sustainable development and, above all, the guardian of the common heritage all nations share, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone said...
The hidden US-China battle beneath the Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Island Times
·
June 12, 2025
The U.S. has rekindled its interest in deep-sea mining, targeting critical minerals and power resources, which President Donald Trump said would secure America’s energy future and cut its dependence on China. Trump’s April 24 executive order,...
Morrison’s Companion of the Order for Gaslighting Australia
Independent Australia
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Scott Morrison – known for his inability to hold a hose and shirking all responsibility – has been handed the highest accolade in the land, a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). The award was presented to the former PM (IA emphasis): ‘For...
INTERPOL-Led Effort Dismantles Infostealer Malware Network in 26 Countries Across Asia-Pacific Region
TechRepublic
·
June 13, 2025
Image: EA09 Studio/Adobe Stock A sophisticated international law enforcement operation has dismantled a major cybercrime network used to distribute data-stealing malware, with authorities seizing critical digital assets and arresting dozens of...
Wealth beneath the waves: US takes a step toward promoting deep-sea mining amid concerns in the Pacific
The Pacific Island Times
·
June 11, 2025
Around 16,404 feet beneath the northern Pacific Ocean, the whole seabed—stretching around 4,500 miles from east to west—is littered with potato-sized chunks of what look like charcoal lumps called polymetallic nodules. Rich in metals such as...
PNG participates in Pacific Workforce Planning
Papua New Guinea Post Courier
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June 12, 2025
PAPUA New Guinea Department of Personnel Management joined representatives from the Pacific for a workforce planning intensive workshop in Canberra, Australia. The training took place from Monday, May 26, to Friday, May 30, 2025. A workforce...