Residents of an informal Port Moresby settlement that was razed following the gang rape and murder of a woman by 20 men say they are being unfairly punished by Papua New Guinea authorities over alleged links to the crime. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

A landmark court conviction in Papua New Guinea related to the murder of a mother-of-five accused of sorcery is being hailed as a major victory in the fight to stop such attacks and murders. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia will see notable bumps in Australian foreign aid this year, while analysts say there are some indications that Canberra is stepping in to fill a void left by a U.S. freeze on foreign aid. engdev.benarnews.org/english…

Legal immunity for security forces, vague use-of-force provisions, spying on citizens all add up to legal overreach writes Michael Kabuni. benarnews.org/english/commen…

Australia’s policies toward the Pacific will continue to be primarily driven by China’s resurgence, no matter who is elected, writes Tess Newton Cain. benarnews.org/english/commen… #AusVotes2025 #AusPol

Prabowo Subianto cruised to victory in Indonesia’s 2024 presidential election, but only five months after taking office, he faces a host of challenges and chaotic policy rollouts, analyst Zachary Abuza writes. benarnews.org/english/commen…

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. is “not seeking war with China” but warns any attack on America’s Pacific territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands would be an attack on the mainland. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia will see notable bumps in Australian foreign aid budget this year, while analysts say there are some indications Canberra is stepping in to fill a void left by the U.S. freeze on USAID. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) commander claims responsibility for attack that killed a teacher and injured six others accused of spying. Indonesian authorities vow swift response, condemn the violence as an unprovoked attack on civilians. engdev.benarnews.org/english…

The leader of ab insurgent group blamed for instigating attacks that provoked a deadly offensive by the Myanmar military in 2017 has not spilled “significant information,” police said. benarnews.org/english/news/b…

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's proposal to send officials guilty of corruption to a remote island prison with sharks as guards has been met with a lukewarm response. An enduring solution required stronger anti-graft laws, said critics.benarnews.org/english/news/i…

In case you did not see this: During a Senate hearing, Marcos administration officials defended legality of former president’s arrest. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

.@ZachAbuza writes: "While there is a compelling legal case against Duterte that will play out in The Hague, the crux of the issue was the fallout between two rival political dynasties." READ: benarnews.org/english/commen…

The Marcos administration subjected her father to “extraordinary rendition” by arresting Rodrigo Duterte and transferring him to the custody of a world court, Vice President Sara Duterte testified as the Senate launched an inquiry into the arrest. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

The Pacific’s peak diplomatic bodies have signaled they are ready for direct talks with PNG’s Autonomous Government of Bougainville as mediation begins on the delayed ratification of its successful 2019 independence referendum. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

Chinese officials escorted Thai journalists during a visit to Xinjiang, insisting on viewing photos and deleting any they didn’t approve of, said a reporter who made the trip. benarnews.org/english/news/t…

In case you did not see this: The upcoming midterm elections have become a political battleground for the influential Duterte and Marcos families, analysts say. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest on a world court warrant over alleged crimes against humanity has raised the stakes for May midterm elections amid an already volatile political climate, analysts said. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

In case you did not see this: Marco Rubio imposed sanctions on Thai officials involved in deporting 40 Uyghurs to China. benarnews.org/english/news/t…