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

Pacific 2025: What is happening?
(BenarNews) -- Vanuatu’s devastating earthquake and dramatic political developments in Tonga and New Caledonia at the end of 2024 set the tone for the coming year in the Pacific. The incoming Trump administration adds another level of uncertainty,...

Belfast woman allegedly killed by husband lived with ‘purpose and adventure’
The Belfast woman who was allegedly killed by her husband in Readfield last month had only recently gotten married and moved to Maine with him, according to one of her relatives. Police have accused Samuel Whittemore, 34, of murdering Margaux...

Pacific Island Forum | Growing stature
The island nation of Tonga played host to the annual meeting of the leaders of the Pacific Island Forum from August 26 to 30. More than 1,500 delegates from 40 nations were in attendance at the conference. A grouping of island nations in Oceania,...

Craving Paradise? These Are the 30 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
The 30 Beautiful Beaches in the World Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Ah, white sand, crystal clear waters, tropical drink in hand—who doesn't want to be relaxing on a...

Overseas Filipino voters in Canada express uncertainty over disenfranchisement and online process
Afghanistan Islamabad PE Albania Rome PE American Samoa Honolulu PCG Angola Lisbon PE Anguilla Washington D.C. PE Antigua and Barbuda Washington D.C. PE Argentina Buenos Aires PE Aruba The Hague PE Australia Sydney PCG Australia – Canberra;...
French Polynesia: Unionized bus drivers' strike in Moorea and Tahiti islands ongoing as of Sept. 6 /update 2
Severe weather is forecast across parts of northeastern Spain through at least Sept. 8. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are forecast across the region over the coming days. Strong wind gusts, lightning, and hail may accompany storms. As of Sept....

French Polynesia warns France to ‘change direction’ on Pacific decolonization
President of French Polynesia Moetai Brotherson arrives for a meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga on Aug. 26, 2024. Photo courtesy of Benar News/Stefan Armbruster By Harry Pearl and Stefan Armbruster Nuku’alofa, Tonga...
Forum SG Waqa stresses unity and accountability at RMI Nuclear Victims...
At the 2025 Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day in the Marshall Islands Monday, Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa stressed the lasting impacts of nuclear testing on the Pacific and reaffirming a commitment to justice and unity. In his statement,...

Whales ‘relentlessly pestered’: tourism boom sparks new rules in French Polynesia
Lisette Muratore swam with humpback whales for the first time off the coast of Mo’orea, an island in French Polynesia, as part of a guided tour. She describes the experience as “overwhelming.” “You have a sudden realisation of the immensity of...

Cruise ship bans to come into force in 12 locations and 7 others may follow
People hoping to head on a cruise ship for a getaway may have their holiday plans ruined. It follows a surge in protests last year over the impact foreign tourists had on already strained housing market and infrastructure. This has led to new...

Feeding Sharks For Tourism May Be Harming Their Health And Reproduction
One of the most striking results was lower haematocrit levels in sharks at feeding sites, suggesting ... [+] a general decline in health.Universal Images Group via Getty Images Shark ecotourism is booming, with operators around the world offering...

SCIENCE AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR GEOHAZARD RESILIENCE IN THE PACIFIC REGION TOWARDS A MULTI-HAZARD EARLY WARNING SYSTEM – 24th -28th February 2025.
OPENING REMARKS by Dr Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Director UNESCO Pacific Regional Office. Dear Honorable Minister T. C. Schuster, Samoa Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) Dear Diplomatic Corps, High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Heads...

Young Pacific Leaders Women’s Sport Programme To Empower Emerging Female Leaders In The Pacific Islands.
21 October 2024 Women in Sport Aotearoa Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa and Pasifika Sisters in Sport (SiS) are thrilled to launch the second cohort of the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Women’s Sports Programme. The programme is designed to empower...

Papua New Guinea Announced As First Pacific Island Nation To Host The 2025 CPEM
Monday, 28 October 2024, 11:34 am Press Release: PacREF Chair unveiling plaque (Photo/Supplied) Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – October 17, 2024 – Papua New Guinea has made history by becoming the first Pacific Island nation to host the 2025...

Pacific Islands Climate Risk Growing as Sea Level Rise Accelerates
The realm of island nations spread across the vast Southwestern Pacific Ocean can conjure up an idyllic image of tiny tropical gems scattered on a deep blue jewelry table. But those clusters of islands and atolls, reaching 3,000 miles from French...
FRANCE: Internet sites of several cities hit by cyber attacks
The internet sites of several French cities and at least one department were inaccessible Tuesday after a group of hackers claimed attacks they described as retaliation for French support for Ukraine. At 1600 GMT, the sites of the cities of...

The Most Beautiful Island Groups in the World, Ranked
From remote volcanic landscapes to idyllic, sun-kissed beaches, the world is filled with some of the most stunning island groups that offer unmatched beauty and tranquility. Whether you’re drawn to vibrant coral reefs, lush jungles, or the peace...

Eyewitness account of Rainbow Warrior voyage – new Eyes of Fire edition
By Giff Johnson, editor of the Marshall Islands Journal Author David Robie and Little Island Press are about to publish next week a 40th anniversary edition of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, a first-hand account...
The Pacific Islands News Association at 50: part 2
A perspective on the history and future of the Pacific Islands News Association from incoming President Kalafi Moala The Pacific Islands Media Freedom (PIMF) Index 2023, published by the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), referred to challenges facing...

‘Not Welcome’: China’s ICBM Test Raised Alarms in the Pacific Islands
In late September, China fired an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean between the northern islands of French Polynesia and the southern islands of Kiribati, highlighting its long-range nuclear capabilities and...