Pacific makes powerful impact at World Expo

The Pacific region is making a strong impression at this year's World Expo in Japan. Countries represented include Papua New Guinea, Sāmoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, the Solomon...

Georgian Dream-installed president mentions occupation and Ukraine war in UN speech without naming Russia

Kavelashvili’s speech at the UN Georgian Dream-installed president Mikheil Kavelashvili said in his speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly that “the people of Georgia will not tolerate ultimatums, blackmail, or intimidation,”...

Palestine and the Pacific

Why have island nations been so prominent among supporters of Israel? By Nic Maclellan Standing beside Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on 17 September, Fijian prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka declared that “the people of Fiji share a very close...

Australian government extends use of Nauru as a refugee prison

Without any prior public notification or scrutiny, the Australian Labor government has just extended a contract for the running of an asylum seeker prison on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru until at least 2027. Accommodation in the Nauru offshore...

Pacific nations' UN Palestine vote 'goes against common sense' - expert

While most of the world is calling for a two-state solution, Pacific nations are going against the tide on the Israel-Palestine issue, and one international politics expert believes their position risks undermining the principal of...

WHP steps up fight against tobacco use in Western Pacific

By Pacific Island Times News Staff Governments in the Western Pacific have made progress in advancing their tobacco control laws and expanding smoke-free environments. The sale of e-cigarettes, for example, is banned in 10 countries in the region,...

Pacific to IMO: Fast-track the Net-Zero fund or fail

Pacific leaders are calling for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to fast-track setting up its Net-Zero Fund (NZF), warning that without urgent action the Organisation will fail to deliver on its own commitment to contribute to a Just...

Familiar Tensions Emerge at the Pacific Islands Forum 

Tension at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is not new. At the summit in 2018, China’s envoy started a spat with the host country, Nauru, which recognized Taiwan at the time. In 2019, at the summit in Tuvalu, Australia was the disruptor. The...

China to step up Pacific push after Australia–PNG defense treaty

CANBERRA (AFR)—China will double down on efforts to expand its influence across the Pacific after Australia and Papua New Guinea agreed to ink a comprehensive defense treaty, foreign policy experts have warned. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister...

Rising authoritarianism has accelerated and normalised mass deportation of migrants

Under President Donald Trump, the United States is expanding its efforts to detain and deport non-citizens at an alarming rate. In recent months, the Trump administration made deals with a number of third states to receive deported non-citizens....

Nauruans to head to the polls on 11 October

The new logo for the 2025 Nauru general election. It shows the frigate bird - Nauru's national national symbol - carrying its ballot paper ready for voting. Photo: Nauru Electoral Commission Nauruans will head to the polls on 11 October after the...

Optus in government’s sights as parliament returns

Embattled telco Optus has been put on notice as the federal government prepares to push through new laws beefing up oversight of the industry. The Singapore-owned company’s chief executive Stephen Rue, along with the heads of rival telcos Telstra...

Nauru Airlines back in Suva

WHEN pre-eminent leaders of Fiji and Nauru – the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and Hammer de Roburt – shook hands some 50-plus years ago, ongoing flight connections between the two island nations were established, and continues unabated to this day....

Nauru ‘peddling dangerous fallacies’ at UNGA: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Australia Pacific FIJI/SYDNEY – Friday, 26 September 2025 — In response to Nauru’s statement on deep sea mining at the UN General Assembly, where it falsely claimed deep sea minerals were ‘essential’ for the green energy transition, the...

How to watch Australia vs New Zealand: FREE Rugby Championship 2025 streams, TV schedule, preview

The Rugby Championship 2025 has entered its final week and there is still plenty on the line for New Zealand and Australia. In what has been one of the most competitive tournaments for years, both sides know that a victory in Perth would give them...

Pacific Resilience Facility Launches Capitalisation Memorandum for Investors at UNGA80

As part of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ broader engagement at UNGA80 — the PRF Partners Roundtable Talanoa was convened at the UN Headquarters on 23rd September. The event marked the launching of the PRF Capitalisation Memorandum for...

Bold move for The Blue Pacific

THE Pacific Islands leaders have taken a strong first step toward regional unity and self-reliance. The approach is timely and necessary. We, the Blue Pacific, must now push forward with a broader agenda that reflects our shared interests and...

Everything that’s wrong with this immigration debate

On his London visit last week, after his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Anthony Albanese shared his thoughts on fighting the far right. Politicians, he said, must keep their promises on economics and immigration. He cited first...

Pacific leaders launch memorandum for investors to climate fund

Pacific leaders meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA for a PRF Partners Roundtable Talanoa. 23 September 2025 Photo: Supplied / Finau Soqo Pacific leaders have met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to launch a...

Nauru President defends seabed mining in UNGA speech

Nauru's President David Adeang has defended moves to open his country's waters to deep sea mining. He called on the International Seabed Authority to speed up its drafting of regulations for Nauru to adopt...so it could have global approval on...