Solomon Islands

Scientists in the southwestern Pacific Ocean have discovered the largest coral ever recorded. It's so big it can be seen from space. With the Pacific News Minute, HPR's Derrick Malama reports.

The United States has officially opened an embassy in Vanuatu. It's part of an ongoing effort to counter China's influence in the strategically important South Pacific. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands has requested assistance from his Australian counterpart to expand the Solomon Islands' police force by adding over a thousand officers. HPR's Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

Lawmakers in the Solomon Islands this week elected a former foreign minister to become prime minister. It’s a development that suggests the South Pacific nation will keep its close ties with China. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

The prime minister of the Solomon Islands says he still has power over security in the Pacific Island nation. There was no clear winner in the country’s recent election, but he’s meeting with opposition parties and trying to form a new government. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

Athletes from 24 Pacific Island nations are in the Solomon Islands this week to compete in the Pacific Games. It’s an Olympic-style tournament that has attracted controversy, mainly over the cost. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

China’s aid to its political allies in the South Pacific is declining. An Australian think tank says the drop in aid comes as competition increases with the U.S. for influence in the region. With the Pacific News Minute, HPR’s Derrick Malama reports.

The Solomon Islands now has an operating embassy in Beijing. The Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare officially opened it last week. The police cooperation pact was among nine deals Sogavare signed. He met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and China's President Xi Jinping.

The U.S. is working on increasing its diplomatic presence across a number of Pacific Islands, which some officials believe is in an effort to counter a growing Chinese influence in the Pacific region. HPR's Derrick Malama has more in today's Pacific News Minute.

The United States now has an embassy open for business in the Solomon Islands. The facility opened last week, in the latest move by the U.S. government to counter China's push into the Pacific. HPR's Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.