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

Australia says China likely to spy on military drills with US
Australia says China likely to spy on military drills with US by AFP Staff Writers Sydney (AFP) July 13, 2025 Australia's government said Sunday it expects China to spy on major military drills it is conducting with the United States and other...

Seabed Strategy: Why Nauru Should Be Central to Trump’s Deep-Sea Mining Vision
By Emmanuel Ogbonna In an executive order issued in April 2025, President Donald Trump emphasized the strategic necessity of offshore critical minerals in building U.S. supply chains that are independent of adversarial nations like the People’s...
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Australia warns China likely to spy on military drills with US amid tensions
Australia’s government said Sunday it expects China to spy on major military drills it is conducting with the United States and other allies. It also renewed a charge – denounced by Beijing as a “false narrative” – that China wants to establish a...

RPNGC TO HOST FIRST EVER MUSICAL BAND TATTOO COMPETITION
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) will host a Police-Band parade and first ever musical band Tattoo competition in honor of the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary, the event to take place on Tuesday July 22nd in Port Moresby...

Kiribati youth maintain culture through music and connection
As Kiribati Language Week unfolds across Aotearoa, university student Ronita Kuaoni reflects on what it means to be i-Kiribati while living and studying far from home. Born in Tarawa, Kuaoni says her connection to the atolls of Nonouti and Nikunau...
Kiribati Language Week: Celebrating culture amid rising seas back home
Kam na bane ni mauri, greetings everyone, it's Kiribati Language Week in Aotearoa, marking five years since the celebration began. This year's theme is: "Living our valued cultural practices through love and respect upholds our dignity and fosters...

Eased NZ travel rules welcomed
Samoans are excited and optimistic about New Zealand’s new immigration changes, which allow Pacific Island citizens to be issued a two-year multiple-entry visa. The changes, which came into effect on 6 July 2025, have sparked positive responses...
They need to listen and act now: Pacific countries ramp up…
Pacific countries have taken a critical step to finalise their priorities as they ramp up the call for a high-ambition treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. Ahead of the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental...

Uto Bulabula Returns: Expanding Healthy Heart Programme for Children in Pacific Region
Photo: Pasifika Medical Association Following the success of its 2024 launch, the Uto Bulabula – Healthy Hearts initiative is back for a second year, expanding its reach to include children from Tonga. The programme supported life-saving cardiac...

World War II Marine identified after 80 years to receive full honors in Oklahoma
KOLBY TERRELL, KOCO FIVE NEWS. A U.S. MARINE KILLED IN WORLD WAR TWO. NOW IDENTIFIED AFTER EIGHT DECADES AND HEADED HOME TO OKLAHOMA. OFFICIALS SAY PRIVATE RICHARD GORDON WRIGHT DIED IN THE BATTLE OF TARAWA WHEN HE WAS JUST 20 YEARS OLD IN 1943....

All 65 countries where it’s illegal to be LGBTQ+ in 2025, including the UAE and Mali
How many countries is it still illegal to be gay in 2025? More than you’d think, probably. Since we last updated this list, Mali has criminalised LGBTQ+ activity and Trinidad and Tobago have re-criminalised it, although more positively, Namibia...

Renewed calls for Ballyarnett investment in Derry as search for Amelia Earhart makes global headlines
As the search for Amelia Earhart continues to make headlines a man who lives metres from where she completed her historic transatlantic flight in Derry in 1932 has renewed calls for greater investment in the area. Davy Cregan and the Ballyarnett...

Amazing finish for an amazing team
(Northern Marianas Sports Association) — Team Marianas closed out its campaign in the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau with a bang, winning a gold medal in the half marathon and a bronze in 3x3 basketball on Wednesday. Northern Marianas Athletics’...

Australia's climate visa: A model for sinking islands?
In the tiny South Pacific nation of just over 10,000 people, one in three citizens has already entered the ballot for a world-first climate visa which would allow them to permanently migrate to Australia. Tuvalu is classified as being extremely...

OPINION Tydingco: Micronesia must become a global destination to revitalize tourism
The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a devastating blow to the tourism industry in Micronesia, decimating visitor arrivals and crippling economies that rely heavily on this sector. Now, as the global travel industry regains momentum, Micronesia must...

Pita Tipene stands for Northland Regional Council
Pita Tipene is throwing his hat into the ring to stand as a councillor for Northland Regional Council at the coming local elections. Tipene (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Te Tarawa) is standing in the council’s Te Raki Māori constituency, which he says...

Uto Bulabula - Healthy Hearts Initiative Returns | A Growing Regional Response To Paediatric Cardiac Care In The Pacific
Photo/Supplied The Uto Bulabula - Healthy Hearts initiative will return for it’s second year to continue delivering life-saving cardiac surgeries to children across the Pacific, including, for the first time, patients from Tonga. Children are...
ISA 7th Regional Committee Meeting for Asia and Pacific Region set to advance regional partnerships
Catalysing solar cooperation The International Solar Alliance (ISA) will host the Seventh Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) for the Asia and the Pacific Region from 15-17 July in Colombo. This important gathering will bring together Government...
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...

Prominent Māori leader Pita Tipene stands for Northland Regional Council
Prominent New Zealand leader Pita Tipene is throwing his hat into the ring to stand as a councillor for Northland Regional Council at the coming local elections. Tipene (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Te Tarawa ) is standing in the council’s Te Raki Māori...