Vanuatu's new prime minister to revisit security agreement

Vanuatu's new prime minister, Jotham Napat, has announced plans to reconsider a security agreement with Australia. He believes the current pact does not address important priorities for Vanuatu, such as climate change and easier travel for its citizens. Napat wants to renegotiate the deal to create a "win-win situation." He has already discussed these ideas with Australian officials, who support revisiting the agreement. In the Solomon Islands, a report from Human Rights Watch highlights the struggles of the Walande people. The report shows that they face problems like limited access to land and the effects of rising sea levels. The Walande community had to move to the mainland after severe flooding in 2009. The report notes that while the Solomon Islands' government has made strides to support climate-affected communities, more action is needed. Tonga’s Ministry of Health has reported six new positive cases of dengue fever, bringing the total to 308 cases. Most cases come from the islands of Vava’u and Tongatapu. Currently, 12 people are hospitalized due to the virus. In Fiji, Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad is calling for stronger political leadership on climate issues. He made these comments during a meeting in Nadi, emphasizing the need for clearer commitments and decisive action ahead of COP30. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Pacific scholars are concerned about the government's decision to go back to 2007 Relationship and Sex Education Guidelines. They argue this move removes the progressive changes made in 2020, which allowed Pacific communities to see themselves reflected in education. Scholars say the earlier framework was crucial for discussions about identity and well-being for Pacific students.