Samoa

Five years after Starlink satellites started orbiting the Earth, Pacific Island countries are still weighing up its benefits despite calls to approve its services.

Pacific leaders are ramping up pressure on France over tensions in New Caledonia, pressing Paris to allow a "high-level" Pacific delegation to visit the troubled territory before a critical regional meeting next month.

The royals will also visit Samoa to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Pacific Island workers coming home from Australia say it's a long and complicated process to get their superannuation — and the barriers appear to be stopping many from claiming their money.

An alleged murder involving two well-known writers and former friends has shocked the Pacific island nation of Samoa. Police are still piecing together what happened.

Two people are dead and nine have been injured, two of them critically, in a serious minibus crash that has closed a major highway in Victoria's north-west.

Sydney teenager Catherine Laga'aia has been cast as Moana in a live-action remake of the Disney film. Laga'aia says she's excited and honoured to "represent young girls who look like me".

The first Pacific Engagement Visas will be granted in late 2024. Experts and community leaders welcome the scheme, but say the government needs to manage it carefully.

Air Vanuatu's collapse has raised questions about the future of aviation in the Pacific. While experts say the problems are vast, there are glimmers of hope for the region's airlines.

Pacific Island nations are looking abroad for workers, and taking control of labour mobility schemes at home, as they look to address labour shortages hitting employers. But experts say it's too early to say whether they're succeeding.

In Samoa, churches spend millions building cathedrals to connect communities to God. But as debts and poverty skyrocket, many are questioning the price tag.

Copra production was a major source of income for Samoa, helping fund local churches.

The visit comes ahead of a critical meeting of Pacific leaders later this year, with officials seeing the meeting as yet another sign that China is intent on pushing its presence in the region.

For many children of Pacific migrants, this generation is living out the dreams of their ancestors. But breaking glass ceilings also means getting a few cuts and bruises along the way.

Australia's neighbours have targeted palm oil, chicken wings, rice and other essentials to curb inflation. But experts say there's one thing the most successful responses have in common.

A surf culture is emerging in Samoa, with the help of some donated boards left by visiting surfers. 

After COP28's central document was approved, Samoa's lead delegate delivered a critical assessment of the Dubai climate summit agreement's flaws — and pointed out the Pacific Islands delegates were not even in the room when the deal was done.

Last-minute negotiations are taking place in Dubai at the UN's climate conference, as representatives from nearly 200 nations try to agree on the future of oil, gas and coal.

Three Pacific ministers attend a high-level meeting on police cooperation between China and Pacific Island nations as Beijing continues its push to cement deeper security ties with the region.

Fifteen years after a tsunami engulfed Samoa's shores there are still the telltale signs of entire reefs and coral beds that washed away. Tapping into the knowledge of fellow Indigenous leaders is sparking hopes for their restoration.

Fifteen years after a tsunami engulfed Samoa's shores there are still the telltale signs of entire reefs and coral beds that washed away. Tapping into the knowledge of fellow Indigenous leaders is sparking hopes for their restoration.

Pasifika people are generous people – their commitment to serving and supporting others is central to their identities. But that generosity comes at a cost.

Pacific leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will descend on the beautiful island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands this week for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting. And the two "big Cs" will be on the agenda.

Fiji opposes Israel-Gaza ceasefire ahead of Pacific Islands forum where climate change will be top priority.

A leading think tank is warning the Australian government to be careful not to overload Pacific countries with debt in China's absence.