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

Marine Corps General Tapped for JAG of the Navy
From U.S. Department of Defense, June 24, 2025 ARLINGTON, Va.–Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced today that the president has made the following nomination: Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David J. Bligh for appointment as judge advocate general...

Pacific Islands Forum head: Island region 'must remain a beacon of hope and unity'
The Pacific Islands Forum's secretary general has reaffirmed the region’s commitment to a united, resilient and inclusive Blue Pacific Continent. “In a world increasingly marked by turbulence, the Pacific must remain a beacon of hope and unity,"...
Pacific Islands Forum head: Island region ‘must remain a beacon of…
The Pacific Islands Forum’s secretary general has reaffirmed the region’s commitment to a united, resilient and inclusive Blue Pacific Continent. “In a world increasingly marked by turbulence, the Pacific must remain a beacon of hope and unity,”...

The escalating risk environment requires more than empty words
The security environment in our region is changing and the risk to Guam is increasing. U.S. presence, once seen as a deterrent, now makes Guam a target. As the environment changes and the risk to Guam escalates, more candor is required about the...

14 Common Navy Ship Abbreviations (And What They Mean)
When the United States Navy ships' hull designations first appeared in 1895, ships were referred to by class followed by their series numbers, such as "Battleship 7" or "Destroyer 17," with abbreviations like "B-7" and "D-17." As the Navy grew and...

Lae factory will deliver clean water to PNG households -Rotomold
The man behind one of the South Pacific’s biggest tank manufacturers says a new factory in Lae will help ease long-running water shortages across Papua New Guinea. Prakash Chand, the Managing Director and Chairman of Rotomould Group, officially...

On board with the Pacific tuna tagging crew!
Meet Jeff, Pauline and Joe. These are the dedicated scientists onboard this year’s tagging cruise, sailing out of Honolulu in pursuit of tuna schools in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Their goal? Tag nearly 10,000 tuna during 45 days at sea....
Ben Morgan’s Pacific Update: Chinese aircraft carriers exercise near Japan – China’s force projection capability is increasing
On 30 June, the People’s Liberation Army – Navy confirmed two Chinese aircraft carriers; PLANS Shandong and Liaoning exercised together in the Western Pacific. The ships conducted a range of drills practicing defensive and offensive operations....

Amazing story of Louisiana WWII hero finally buried on home soil
A Louisiana World War II hero was finally buried on home soil last week 81 years after being killed in action in 1944 during one of the most consequential campaigns of the Pacific Theater. Private First Class Harry LeBert, a U.S. Marine who was 24...

The Quest for Earhart’s Plane
West Lafayette, IN (WOWO) – The Purdue Research Foundation believes they might have a positive lead on how to find Amelia Earhart’s lost plane. On July 2, 1937, Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to become the first female...

New Ritz-Carlton Yacht Cruises Explore Bora Bora, Bali, and More in 2026–27
If you’ve ever dreamed of cruising in ultra-luxury, The Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection just dropped something to get excited about. Their Winter 2026–27 line-up unveils 32 new getaways aboard two yachts, the Evrima and the soon-to-launch Luminara,...

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Reveals Winter 2026–2027 Itineraries
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection unveils its Winter 2026–2027 itineraries, introducing an expanded portfolio of luxury yachting experiences across French Polynesia, Hawaii, and Asia-Pacific aboard Evrima and Luminara. Sailing from October 2026...

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...
In the Pacific, 'who has kava is king' but some fear it's hurting families
Michael Louze has seen a kava-led boom unfolding on the roads of Vanuatu's remote islands. Over the 25 years he's exported the crop, he's never seen prices so high — or growers so flush with cash. "Farmers are buying Land Cruisers with cash...

FEATURE | The beginning of surveillance patrol
BY FIJI NAVY FOLLOWING the welcoming ceremony on February 19, 1976, the commissioning and the naming ceremony for the first two Fiji naval ships was held on February 21, 1976. The quarter guard led by Sub Lieutenant David AG. Lane with the RFMF...

Marshall Islands announces full schedule for 2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation has announced the full lineup of matches for the 2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup, set to kick off this August in Springdale. The tournament features the Marshall Islands’ first...

Time for Australia to sign non-nuclear treaty
Australia has long been at the forefront of global efforts towards the containment of nuclear threats. Now, in the wake of the American military strikes on Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency says the global nonproliferation system is on...

Pacific Mini Games 2025
KOROR, Palau— Athletes, coaches, and officials from across the Pacific have begun arriving in Palau ahead of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, scheduled to open in two days. Teams from Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Tonga, and Samoa arrived on June 25,...
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From America’s revolutionary war to resource wars: Climate change and global security
As the United States marks the 249th Independence Day, US President Donald Trump is undoing the US leadership of the world. For decades, from terrorism to climate change, the United States served as the world’s leader. But, under Trump, the United...

India-EU Relations: Charting New Vistas for Climate Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
Among the host of commitments that found their way into the Leaders’ Statement during the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to India in February 2025 was the need for greater cooperation across a number of areas...