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

China’s military expansion toward the Southwest Pacific and Oceania
Beijing is increasing military activities and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific and transforming the regional security landscape. April 25: A Chinese warship spotted in the West Philippine Sea. Beijing has been growing its military ambitions,...

Mentally-ill patient smashes hospital door, raising safety concerns
SAFETY concerns at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara have been raised a mentally-ill patient reportedly smashed the glass door of the Operating Theatre entrance (old Labor Ward) on Thursday, 26th June 2025. The unfortunate incident...

Small State, Big Stakes: The Maldives and Strategic Competition in the Indian Ocean
Located at the crossroads of vital Indian Ocean shipping lanes linking the Middle East and Asia, the Maldives has emerged as an unlikely but increasingly important foothold in Indo-Pacific strategic rivalry. Despite having less than 600,000...

Health services face legal risk over poor quality care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
*** Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article mentions someone who has died *** An urgent need to improve healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to progress structural reform are among the...

SI Women in Law Association participates in mental health workshop
A three-day training workshop on mental health, specifically designed for legal professionals, was completed last week for 24 members of the Solomon Islands Women in Law Association (SIWILA). Facilitated by mental health expert Debra Tuibau, the...

Sexual health screening for PALM workers
By: Mikaela Seymour and Stefanie Vaccher Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme workers and employers consistently rate healthcare, including access to sexual and reproductive health services, as a primary concern. However, little is...

Walking together in wellness, where collective rights enable Indigenous Peoples to thrive
Introduction by Croakey: An emerging paradigm shift for First Nations people in Canada, reflecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), is supporting a transformational shift from a focus on healthcare and...

Aspen Medical launches defence, national security division
Canberra headquartered Aspen Medical has announced the launch of a new specialist capability: Aspen Medical – Defence and National Security. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and long-standing...

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...

Naha Health Centre reaches halfway milestone with roofing installed
The construction of the flagship Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has reached the halfway mark, with the Birthing Centre roof now complete. Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said the milestone was a significant one for...

Collaboration to discuss women’s health issues
Vois Blo Mere Solomons (VBMS) in partnership with the National Council of Women (NCW) successfully held a discussion with the National Referral Hospital (NRH) women health workers to empower each other, collaborate and advance women’s health...

Australia expects Chinese spying during major war games, renews warning over Pacific military base
SYDNEY, July 13 — Australia’s government said today 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...

China likely to spy on drills: Australia
The Australian government yesterday said it expects China to spy on major military drills it is conducting with the US and other allies. It also renewed a charge — denounced by Beijing as a “false narrative” — that China wants to establish a...
)
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...

Taiwan is held up as a bastion of liberal values. But migrant workers report abuse, injury and death in its fishing industry
Taipei, Taiwan CNN — Silwanus Tangkotta was working aboard a Taiwanese fishing boat in the remote Pacific last year, when a heavy wave slammed a rolling metal door onto his hand, crushing his middle and ring fingers. The Indonesian migrant...

Australia Zoo rescues two crocodiles in devastating conditions
Australia Zoo’s Crocodile Rescue Team has successfully rescued two large saltwater crocodiles from devastating welfare conditions in the Solomon Islands, giving them a second chance at life. Both crocodiles, over two meters long, had tragically...

SI ranked 59th in global teenage pregnancy index
The Solomon Islands has been ranked 59th out of over 160 countries in the latest Global Teenage Pregnancy Index, raising concerns over the continuing trend of early pregnancies among adolescent girls in the country. According to the latest global...

Teen urges Kiwi youth to tackle climate-fuelled food poverty
Joel Titus visited Malaita in the Solomon Islands in December 2024 as a World Vision New Zealand youth ambassador. Photo: Supplied A young Kiwi Indian is urging young New Zealanders to rise up against the dual threats of climate change and food...

Pacific Islands News Roundup – July 4 – July 10, 2025
Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...

UN CEDAW Committee Publishes Findings On Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Fiji, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino and More
Geneva, 7 July 2025 The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) today issued its findings on Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Fiji, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino, Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Tuvalu, after reviewing...