News Roundup

Pacific Islands News Roundup – April 23 – 29, 2026

Political Leadership and Regionalism, Peace and Security

  • The cost of living crisis shapes Niue election as voters seek economic relief at the polls (PMN)
  • Department of War seeks to expand footprint on Guam; eyes land purchase (Pacific Island Times)
  • This Rich Hawaiʻi Super PAC Is Already Shaping A Key Statewide Election (Civil Beat)
  • Kanaky New Caledonia’s ongoing path to self-determination (PACNEWS)
  • Vanuatu rejects China security suggestions (Islands Business)
  • GNUT Caught Red-Handed: Solomon Islands Opposition Accuses Government Of Secret “Political Favor” In Fuel Tax Scandal (In-depth Solomons)
  • $22.6M questioned costs, ‘widespread’ issues in GovGuam’s handling of funds, ‘unbalanced’ budgets (Guam PDN)
  • Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Seeks Constitutional Protection for Commissioner Role (Fiji One)
  • Marape’s China visit puts spotlight on ‘grass that feeds a nation’ and PNG’s push for growth (PMN)
  • PNG to partner with Guangdong province in China (NBC PNG)
  • Palau Leader and Business Pioneer Surangel Whipps Sr. Dies at 86 (Island Times)
  • Bougainville landowners warn companies at Panguna mine to stop work (RNZ)

People-Centered Development

  • Pacific stands together to honour shared service and sacrifice across generations (PMN)
  • Lawmakers Move to Address Stateless Residents in Palau While Upholding Citizenship Limits (Island Times)
  • Scourge of unemployment hangs like a shroud over PNG (The National)
  • USA, PNG sign health agreement to combat infectious diseases (PNG Bulletin)
  • Fiji Health Ministry confirms staff shortage impact (FBC)
  • Zero-Tolerance Drug Law Clears Palau Legislature (Island Times)
  • French Polynesia coral house study points to ecological past (RNZ)
  • Tonga public invited to dispute land returns under legal rulings, but 10‑year limit yet unexplained (Kaniva Tonga)
  • Fijian shell-Island points to ancient ‘industrial’ shellfish processing (ABC/Audio Report)
  • Vanuatu launches container classroom trial to keep learning going after disasters (PMN)
  • Frank Rabon, Master of CHamoru Dance, named 2026 NEA National Heritage fellow (Pacific Island Times)
  • Jarome Luai confirms PNG move as he insists ‘we broke no rules’ in shock NRL switch (PMN)

Climate Change and Disasters, Ocean and Environment

  • Tiny Japanese island near Northern Marianas considered for nuclear waste site (ABC/Audio Report)
  • The unusual ways Fijians predict when a cyclone is approaching (PACNEWS/BBC)
  • Fijian PM Rabuka throws government support behind controversial waste-to-energy project (RNZ)
  • Palau farmers react as dry spell raises early drought concerns, water rationing begins (Island Times)
  • ‘Devil Weed’ Threatening Hawaiʻi Is Hitching A Ride In Turtles (Civil Beat)
  • ‘Industrial colonial takeover’: Cook Islands environment groups slam U.S deep-sea mining firm merger (Island Times)
  • Governor: $23M-$24M in business damages from Sinlaku, others still being assessed; D-SNAP, FEMA aid announcements after (Guam PDN)
  • Trump approves major disaster declaration for Northern Marianas following Sinlaku (RNZ)
  • Maui Resort’s Plastic Barrier To Save Beachwalk Faces Public Pushback (Civil Beat)
  • Pacific stake grows as new rules for North Pacific swordfish take shape (Pacific Island Times)
  • UK pledges new climate funding for Fiji and the Pacific (FBC)
  • Aquarium Fish Extraction Puts Reefs And Community Practices At Risk (Civil Beat)

Resources and Economic Development, Technology and Connectivity

  • Starlink set to return to Papua New Guinea after court quashes ban, clearing path for connectivity (RNZ)
  • Starlink: French Polynesian government’s proposal rejected… but the blockage remains complete (Tahiti Infos)
  • How climate change threatens the economic backbone of the Pacific (PACNEWS/BBC)
  • ‘We are at the mercy of the market’: Marshall Islands minister warns on fuel supply (RNZ)
  • Tuvalu energy stable but risks remain as Minister Kofe outlines backup plan after emergency (PACNEWS)
  • Nauru Financial Intelligence Unit flags crypto scam, warns public ‘promises of guaranteed returns’ (Island Times)
  • Govt’s subsea geothermal pilot to cut diesel reliance underway (Talanoa ‘O Tonga)
  • Cook Islands parliament launches AI agents to support operations (RNZ)
  • Palau Agencies Strengthen Fight Against Financial Crimes Amid Rise in Online Scams (Island Times)
  • Oʻahu’s North Shore: Where The Buffalo Roam? (Civil Beat)
  • Amata urges Transportation Secretary to prioritize air traffic control tower (Talanei)

Disclaimer:

The PIR seeks to include news coverage from news outlets across the Pacific, representing a diversity of coverage in the region. Please note that the inclusion of article links does not represent PIR or PIDP endorsement of the information presented in the articles.

The Pacific Islands Report (PIR) is a project of the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) at the East-West Center and the Center for Pacific Islands Studies (CPIS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

This non-exhaustive news roundup, featuring open-access information, is organized with the thematic areas of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its implementation plan.

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