WASHINGTON, 12 MARCH 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — An American right-wing think tank is proposing a “Pacific Charter” that advocates for a greater United States presence in the region. The Heritage Foundation, closely associated with the ruling Republican Party, wrote that China is “covetously” looking to the Pacific nations while they are vulnerable to major security […]
Category: Pacific News
Posted inPacific News
The electric vehicle dilemma: Guam’s car dealers weigh in on deep-sea mining discussion
HAGATNA, 09 MARCH 226 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Touted as a green alternative to traditional fuel-powered cars, electric vehicles eliminate tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollutants and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The electric vehicle industry is rapidly driving a surge in demand for battery metals and spurring a race to the ocean floor. In Guam, electric […]
Posted inPacific News
Fiji fears crisis as WHO warns it has world’s fastest growing HIV epidemic
SUVA, 09 MARCH 2026 (RFI) — After recording more than 1,000 new infections in 2024, in a population of 900,000, authorities in Fiji announced the launch of an HIV epidemic response plan and the implementation of a four-year HIV control strategy. “Fiji has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world, which is very worrying,” […]
Posted inPacific News
When U.S closes a door, China opens a window
APIA/HAGATNA, 09 MARCH 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP) and the Pacific Community, formerly known as the South Pacific Commission (SPC), are among the 66 international organisations that the United States has abandoned. In early January, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum cutting the United States’ ties […]
Posted inPacific News
Palau steps up preparations for 55th Pacific Leaders Meeting
KOROR, 05 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS/PIFS)—The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Deputy Secretary General Esala Nayasi met Wednesday with Palau Minister of State Gustav Aitaro and members of Palau’s National Planning Committee to discuss preparations for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (55PIFLM). The meeting will be hosted in Koror from 30 August – 04 September […]
Posted inPacific News
A global energy crisis’: Fuel price hike looms for Pacific amid Middle East conflict
SYDNEY, 04 MARCH 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — Analysts are warning fuel prices are expected to jump in the Pacific following the Israeli and U.S attacks on Iran, and the subsequent response by Iran. Iran borders the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply, and shipments have been suspended […]