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Pacific News headlines with summaries.
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Pacific news in brief for 15 August
15 Aug 2025A round-up of news from around the region, including a commitment for a marine protected areas between Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.
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Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 15 August
15 Aug 2025A round-up of sports news from around the region, including a former All Black in the Flying Fijians squad.
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Why is King Tupou VI taking control of foreign affairs and defence?
There is upset in Tonga after the Tongan Legislature passed new legislation that would hand foreign affairs back to the monarchy - a move some say could set back democracy. Audio
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Rabuka's 'ocean of peace' proposal set for approval at Pacific leaders' summit
15 Aug 2025The Fijian Prime Minister's initiative to declare the Pacific an 'ocean of peace' is slated for approval at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara next month. Audio
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'Full sovereignty': FLNKS rejects France's Bougival project
14 Aug 2025New Caledonia's pro-independence front on Wednesday confirmed its "block rejection" of the document outlining the French territory's political future.
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Pacific AFL talent to compete in Cairns
Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Fiji, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Tonga will comepete in the AFL Pacific region Under-17 Pacific Nations Challenge in September.
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NZ offers to hosts 2027 Pacific Islands Forum
14 Aug 2025Foreign Minister Winston Peters made the request at the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Suva on Thursday.
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Australia and Vanuatu agree to $500m deal
The Nakamal Agreement will supplant a previous security pact that was scrapped in 2022. Prime ministers from both countries will meet next month to formalise the agreement.
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Competition to name PNG's NRL team
14 Aug 2025Prime Minister James Marape said the name should be driven by a motive that reflects national unity, positive growth, and a strong partnership with Australia.
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7yo is sixth dengue-related death in Samoa
Schools in Samoa are closed for a third straight week due to the outbreak. Audio
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'No visitors': Peters hints at Solomon Islands' unilateral decision to block PIF donors
14 Aug 2025The NZ Foreign Minister fell just short of confirming that Honiara has made an independent move to shut the door on Pacific Islands Forum dialogue partners for this year's annual leaders' summit.
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Police charge tourist with false declaration after vape bust
14 Aug 2025The 19-year-old Australian visitor, who tried to smuggle vapes, a banned product, into the country was apprehended by police and charged with making a false declaration.
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Winston Peters blames 'outsiders' for Pacific Islands Forum tensions
The New Zealand Foreign Minister is attending the PIF Foriegn Ministers' Meeting in Suva, the final high-level meeting ahead of the Pacific leaders' summit next month.
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'Nothing stopping' China from meeting PIF leaders, says expert
A geopolitics expert says there is "nothing stopping" China from attending Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting side events if dialogue partners are blocked from the event. Audio
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Samoa ready to challenge defending champs NZ
Samoa has been the in-form team at OFC 2025 Under-16 Women's Championship alongside New Zealand.
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Flying Fijians coach expects RWC stakes to raise intensity
Mick Byrne is expecting a tougher Pacific Nations Cup series this year, with the event doubling as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
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New bill gives Tonga's King control over diplomacy
New legislation passed by Tonga's parliament could give the King Tupou VI significantly more say in the country's foreign affairs.
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FBI expands reach to Cook Islands
13 Aug 2025The United States is increasing its presence in the Pacific, including the Cook Islands, due to concerns over China's growing influence in the region.
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Samoan women seek life-changing weight loss surgery in Turkey
Sarah Bennett and Lemau Timu's journeys highlight the rise of medical tourism and challenges in Pacific healthcare access.
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Samoa backs Solomon Islands' call to defer partner talks during leaders' week
The region's foreign ministers are meeting in Suva on Thursday for the final high-level meeting in a suite of gatherings ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting. Audio
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Australia, Vanuatu close to signing Nakamal Agreement
A $500 million deal between Australia and Vanuatu is close to being signed.
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Suspension of salary 'unjustified' - Pryde
Fiji's chief prosecutor claims the President's suspension of his NZ$184,000 salary is illegal and unjustified.
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Meet the Fiji female engineers making their mark in Marshall Islands
13 Aug 2025Thirty years ago, the presence of a female worker in the power plants in the Marshall Islands wasn't just unusual: It rarely occurred, but that's now changed.
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Show me the money: finance question for plastics treaty
13 Aug 2025Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are scheduled for a regional meeting on Tuesday in Geneva.
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