Pacific

Australian officials are increasingly worried about the Pacific's vulnerability to cyber attacks, with the government spending $26 million to set up "rapid assistance" teams made up of experts from the private sector and specialists from intelligence agencies like the Australian Signals Directorate.

Seven years in the making — and hundreds of millions of dollars later — this week Solomon Islands officially plays host to the 2023 Pacific Games, the region's "mini Olympics". But there's many other games going on.  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been under attack from the Coalition and some sections of the media since he took office for the number of international trips he has taken. But how does he compare to other recent prime ministers?

The current El Niño phase of the Pacific Ocean is forecast to peak during the coming months as one of the strongest on record, laying the platform for unprecedented global temperatures through 2024.

The developing system is the second cyclone of the South Pacific season which only began a fortnight ago. 

The itinerary of Anthony Albanese's latest foreign excursions involved some incredible diplomatic U-turns that neatly sum up the dilemma and danger we face in our region, writes business editor Ian Verrender.

The president of Kiribati has played down the chances of his country striking a treaty with Australia similar to the landmark pact that Anthony Albanese signed late last week with Tuvalu's prime minister.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a new pact with the low-lying island country of Tuvalu, allowing residents facing displacement from climate change the ability to resettle in Australia. 

The Pacific Islands Forum has climate change concerns front and centre as island nations deal with the brunt of the changing climate.

Pacific Leaders met in Rarotonga Cook Islands. Climate change and the Treaty of Rarotonga are agenda items for this year's Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

While Anthony Albanese wraps up a trip to China, some of Australia's closest neighbours are gathering in the Pacific.

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.

Six Pacific Island countries have voted with Israel to oppose the UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza. For many nations in the region, the connection to Israel runs deep.   

Para-Matildas, Australia's national women's team for footballers with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or stroke symptoms will play in the 2023 Asia-Oceania Championships in Melbourne tomorrow.

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

China's small police liaison team in Solomon Islands will increase to help provide security for this month's Pacific Games, while the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force gets another donation of equipment from Beijing including metal detectors and drones in a move that's causing concern in Canberra.

The latest Lowy Institute Pacific Aid Map shows the way Australia distributes development assistance is changing.

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

The gallery houses artefacts of deep cultural significance to the diaspora in Australia, including a rare 1,000-year-old replica Rotuman headdress. 

Seven months after being battered by twin cyclones, Vanuatu is bracing for another one as cyclone Lola bears down on the country's second-biggest city.

The Pacific Engagement Visa will give to opportunity to 3,000 people from the region each year to permanently settle in Australia. 

Guns are not a common sight in Tonga — but that is changing. An increase in crime and drug use in the small island nation is causing many to arm themselves, both legally and illegally.

A critic says the commercialisation of the drug is potentially dangerous and culturally insensitive, but others say the "great alternative to alcohol" has never been hard to source in the west.

José Ramos-Horta says Beijing did not want to help develop police and military infrastructure over concerns of an "overreaction" from Australia.

Faith leaders from different religions and denominations are coming together to share a strong message about climate change.