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

World Bank: Conflict, instability driving extreme poverty in Nigeria and 38 other economies
The World Bank has raised alarm over the growing impact of conflict and instability on 39 developing economies, including Nigeria, warning that these states are being left behind on key development indicators, with extreme poverty, hunger, and...

Building Pacific capacities to support trade and market access
To strengthen the skills of Pacific biosecurity, border control, exporter representatives and relevant stakeholders in using Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) databases and platforms, a regional capacity-building workshop is underway in...

Tjibaou on New Caledonia talks in Paris: “We want to resolve this now”
Koror, Palau-It’s been two weeks since the curtains fell on the third UN Ocean Conference. At this largest ever ocean summit, the Pacific voice echoed as a collective, calling for more global ocean accountability, and offering transformational...
How Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez went from hosting ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ to running an aerial film production company
It’s the wedding of the year — and she’s the bride. Lauren Sánchez, a former journalist, is set to marry Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in a wedding ceremony in Venice, Italy, this week. The nuptials, which have sparked protests from groups unhappy...

Global Climate Risk Index Ranks 188 Countries by Vulnerability and Access to Finance
The Climate Finance Vulnerability Index ranks 188 countries according to both their vulnerability to hazards and their financial resilience. Researchers at the Columbia Climate School, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, have unveiled a...

NZ trailing behind world on cybersecurity laws
New Zealand companies risk being seen as a weak link in global supply chains as the Government lags behind foreign counterparts in tackling cybersecurity threats, a senior industry figure has warned. The International Telecommunication Union’s...

'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,...

Micronesian Summit in Majuro this week
Flags from most of the Micronesian islands participating in the regional summit this week fly outside the International Conference Center in Majuro on Monday. Photo by Giff Johnson MAJURO — The Micronesian Islands Forum cranks up with officials...

Pacific Islands need to boost women in jobs: World Bank
Less than half of working age women are employed across the Pacific Islands due to outdated laws and other barriers, the World Bank said in a new report yesterday, adding that closing the gender gap could boost economic growth. The World Bank...

Yei women embrace farming to alleviate economic hardships
Women in Central Equatoria State’s Yei River County are increasingly turning to agriculture as a livelihood to mitigate economic adversities. Located about 100 miles west of the capital, Juba, Yei has long been recognized for its fertile land and...

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...

As economic growth slows, Pacific Islands should boost women in jobs, says World Bank
By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -Less than half of working age women are employed across the Pacific Islands due to outdated laws and other barriers, the World Bank said in a new report on Tuesday, and said closing the gender gap could boost...

Developing Economies Cannot Afford a Fossil-Free Future Yet
While the world pushes for clean energy, developing economies still rely on fossil fuels, and without major financing, the transition will remain unequal and out of reach. According to Greenpeace, one of the world’s leading environmental...

Historic OFC debut for Kiribati
Kiribati will take part in its first ever OFC Forum in Fiji later this month. The news was announced earlier this week in a press release, and is made possible by a partnership between the brands Young Pioneer Tours, Unchartered Football, Stingz,...

‘It’s not Chinese assistance’: Australia accuses China of taking undue credit for aid projects in the Pacific
China is bolstering its geo-political influence in the Pacific by “branding” Asian Development Bank projects – funded in significant part by Australian taxpayer dollars – as Chinese projects, the Australian government says. On the island of...

Solomons Joins Regional Initiative to Safeguard Financial Lifelines as Pacific Banking Project Goes Live
Solomon Islands will maintain uninterrupted access to the global financial system through its participation in a World Bank project to strengthen correspondent banking relationships in the Pacific region. Solomon Islands joins Fiji, Kiribati,...

Solomon Islands joins regional initiative to safeguard financial lifelines as Pacific Banking Project goes live
Solomon Islands will maintain uninterrupted access to the global financial system through its participation in a World Bank project to strengthen correspondent banking relationships in the Pacific region. Solomon Islands joins Fiji, Kiribati,...

Nauru, Metals Company revise deep sea mining agreement
Nauru President David Adeang at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 25 August 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis Nauru has revised its commercial agreement with Canadian mining group The Metals Company for deep...

PACIFIC JOURNOS MEET CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL, PRAISE CHINA
Beijing, China – SIX Pacific Islands journalists met with the Director of the Pacific Island Division, Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry on Foreign Affairs, Gu Xinqiang in Beijing and exchanged views within...

Nauru, Metals Company announce revised deep sea mining agreement
Nauru President David Adeang at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 25 August 2024 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis Nauru has announced an update to its commercial agreement with Canadian mining group The Metals...