By Tonga reporter Marian Kupu and the Pacific Local Journalism Network’s Nick Sas In short: (ABC-Australia) The ABC has spoken to multiple Tongan women who have been lured into an arranged marriage syndicate operating in China. One woman says she was locked in a room and had her passport confiscated. What’s next? Tongan police say […]
Category: World News
China warned Pacific missile sparks ‘strong concerns’
MANILA, 22 JULY 2026 (AAP) — Australia has raised its concerns with China over its nuclear-capable missile test in the South Pacific, noting many of the region’s nations also shared the same view. Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of ASEAN talks in Manila on Tuesday evening. […]
Fresh concerns over radioactive risks from deep sea mining near American Sāmoa
PAGOPAGO, 22 JULY 2026 (PMN) — A new scientific warning is adding to growing Pacific opposition as the United States moves ahead with plans to auction offshore deep-sea mining leases near American Sāmoa later this year. Researchers and environmental groups say mining could release naturally occurring radioactive materials into the ocean, raising fresh questions about […]
Russia unleashes one of biggest ballistic missile attacks of the Ukraine war, Kyiv says
In short: (ABC-Australia) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia battered Ukraine’s capital Kyiv overnight into Sunday local time, with one of its biggest ballistic missile barrages of the war. At least one person has been killed and 16 others have been injured. Mr Zelenskyy says “the enemy launched more than 40 missiles of various types”. […]
Taipei reassesses ties with PNG after office closure
TAIPEI, 20 JULY 2026 (TAIPEI TIMES/CNA/REUTERS) — Taiwan is reassessing its economic ties with Papua New Guinea (PNG) after the Pacific nation on Wednesday unexpectedly ordered the immediate closure of Taipei’s representative office in Port Moresby, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung said Saturday. The ministry convened a meeting to discuss potential responses, which included […]
Oil reserves eased Iran war price shock, but now they are ‘spent’, IMF says
By Ahmed Yussuf In short: (ABC-Australia) The global economy was spared from the worst of the biggest oil shock in 50 years because of large oil reserves, according to the International Monetary Fund. It says lower consumption in Asia and higher oil production outside of the Gulf helped absorb further price shocks. What’s next? Experts […]
