Mondiacult ends with promises and pledges to spread peace through culture

Mondiacult, the world's largest conference on cultural policy and sustainable development, held its 2025 edition in Barcelona this week with thousands of participants and more than 150 ministers of culture, gathered to set the global agenda for...

Kiribati will adapt, refuse to sink in fight against Climate Change: UN told

Kiribati President Taneti Maamau has told world leaders at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) that his nation refuses to be defined by rising seas, calling for urgent global action to address the worsening climate...

See what leaders and organizations globally said of President Russell M. Nelson’s life and legacy following his death

The news of President Russell M. Nelson’s death on Sept. 27 has continued prompting reactions from leaders and organizations in government, religion and academia, both nationally and internationally. Their reactions have paid tribute to the late...

Kazakh Activists Shine a Light on Nuclear Fallout

Kazakhstan is surrounded by nuclear neighbors — Russia to the north and west, China to the east, and India and Pakistan to the south. Until 1995, when it completed a year’s long multi-nation effort to disassemble and remove the Soviet nuclear...

Pacific Islands Forum: Fate of New Zealand’s funding for Kiribati remains up in the air

In March, Newsroom reported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs review had found the funding should not be cut but its exact findings remain unknown. Media were able to capture an image of Luxon and Maamau but the leaders offered no opening remarks...

COP climate talks are ‘heartbreak’ for Pacific Islands. Here is why...

By Gabriella Marchant and Jordan Fennell Joseph Sikulu’s long-haul journey home to the Pacific has felt fruitless after the recent world climate talks. It has become a “heartbreaking” exercise seeing the annual United Nations Conference of the...

COP is 'heartbreak' for the Pacific. Here is why they still want to host

Joseph Sikulu's long-haul journey home to the Pacific has felt fruitless after the recent world climate talks. It has become a "heartbreaking" exercise seeing the annual United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) summit achieve so little of...

These countries require a 6-month passport validity for travellers

The rules are in place so that foreign travellers do not stay beyond the period specified on their visas, unintentionally due to sudden passport expiration. Sudden expiration results in unnecessary complications if they get stranded in a foreign...

HWPL 11th World Peace Summit Brings Together 800 Global Leaders to Present Achievements and Vision for Peace

Showcasing Achievements and Future Vision of Cooperation among International Organizations, Governments, and Civil Society for Peace Cheongju, Republic of Korea — September 18, 2025 — Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an...

America’s greatest secret weapon

Our grandson is a U.S. Marine. This week I told him about his great-grandfather, my dad, who was a proud U.S. Marine. Dad and other Marines I know are Marines, even if they aren’t currently serving. When the “The Marines’ Hymn” – “From the halls...

UN must adapt to Blue Pacific, not the other way around...

Pacific leaders took the 2050 Strategy to the UN, calling for climate justice, fair finance, and security defined by peace and solidarity. By Renate Rivers Pacific Island leaders addressed the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 80th session...

Pacific Islands Youth Group Wins Prize For Climate Legal Action

Stockholm, Sweden--A youth-led student group and a human-rights lawyer that took the issue of climate to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) received the Right Livelihood prize on Wednesday, dubbed an "alternative Nobel". The prize also...

Change of course? US sending mixed signals in the Pacific region

View from the West By James C. Pearce Republicans of old are all a little perplexed about something lately: national defense. It was once a pet issue for the neo-conservative Bush and Reagan administrations. Old-school Republicans (and Democrats)...

Pacific islands youth group wins prize for climate action

A youth-led student group and a human-rights lawyer that took the issue of climate to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have received the Right Livelihood prize, dubbed an "alternative Nobel". The prize also honoured Sudan's humanitarian...

Tuvalu prepares for inaugural cultural festival in 2026

Tuvalu is preparing to host its first national cultural festival, with organisers promising a five-day celebration that showcases traditions from across the country’s eight inhabited islands. The inaugural event, to be held in Funafuti in May next...

Pacific to IMO: Fast-track the Net-Zero fund or fail

Pacific leaders are calling for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to fast-track setting up its Net-Zero Fund (NZF), warning that without urgent action the Organisation will fail to deliver on its own commitment to contribute to a Just...

Br Peter Carroll elected Superior General of Marist Brothers

Br Peter Carroll FMS (Star of the Sea Province) Australian Marist Brother Peter Carroll has been elected Superior General of the Institute of the Marist Brothers, becoming only the second brother from Oceania to lead the worldwide institute....

Film Independent Names 2025 Producing Lab Fellows

EXCLUSIVE: Film Independent has named the filmmakers set for the 2025 editions of its Fiction and Documentary Producing Labs. Fellows on the Fiction side will include Ashim Ahuja, Gabrielle Cordero, Ebony Elaine Hardin, Betty Hu, Adam Kopp, David...

LaVancha, Harvey D. 

HARRISVILLE/WILLIAMSON NY: Harvey Dean LaVancha passed away on September 27, 2025, just 3 weeks after his 89th birthday. He was born on September 6, 1936, at Lowville Hospital in Lowville, New York, to the late Henry and Blanche (Mercell)...

Solomons graduation highlights USP’s heritage and academic excellence

A total of 238 students marked a significant academic milestone at The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) graduation ceremony held at the Friendship Hall in Honiara, Friday. The ceremony was officiated by His Majesty King Tupou VI of Tonga,...