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Australia to plough $492 million into the Asian Development Bank to better fund major projects in Pacific

Australia is set to plough $492 million into the Asian Development Bank as it continues to heap pressure on the organisation to overhaul the way it funds major projects in the region.
Updated
Aerial view of one of Tuvalu's islands: a tear-shaped island with houses very close to the land's edge, surrounded by ocean.

Orangutan becomes first wild animal seen using a medicinal plant to treat a wound

The male orangutan, called Rakus, was observed by researchers as he chewed leaves and applied a plant paste onto a facial wound.
An close-up of an orangutan in a tree with no wound on his face

'I have to have sex with you': Inside Vanuatu's disturbing world of unwanted children

Around the world, heated debates about abortion are taking place. But in the Pacific, the topic is so taboo, only a handful of people are willing to talk about it. You’re about to hear from some of them.
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'He's embarrassed the country': NZ's foreign minister slammed for on air-comments about Bob Carr

Bob Carr says he intends to sue New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters over controversial remarks made on radio this morning after weeks of debate about AUKUS.
Updated
A composite images of the headshots of Carr and Peters.

Solomon Islands has a new PM — and some say he will 'lower the temperature'

Former foreign minister and diplomat Jeremiah Manele has been elected as the new prime minister of Solomon Islands — and he's expected to maintain close ties with China.
Updated
A man in a suit rests his hand on his chest, standing in front of Solomon Island and China flags.

ASX closes higher after US Fed leaves rates on hold and indicates rate hike 'unlikely', NAB half-year profit drops 11.9pc — as it happened

The Australian share market closed higher after the US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell indicated a US rate hike is unlikely. NAB says its half-year profit fell 11.9 per cent from intense competition in the lending industry. 
Updated
A stock market watcher stands in front of an ASX board.

Mary's adoptive parents thought they were rescuing an orphan. Like thousands, they were lied to

South Korea once "sold off" babies to international families. Now adoptees are coming home and looking for answers.
Seoul Searching

Southern China road collapse kills at least 24, injures 30

Witnesses told local media they heard a loud noise and saw a hole open up several meters wide behind them. 
china road

Philippines says China damaged its vessels at sea with water cannons

The Philippines accuses China's coast guard of harassing and damaging two of its boats in a disputed area of the South China Sea, rejecting Beijing's position that it had expelled those vessels from the hotly contested shoal.
boat sprayed by water.

Recruiter says there's 'a lot of angst' as farmer demand for seasonal workers falls

Demand for Pacific Island seasonal workers is falling after a post-COVID boom in numbers, and some say one reason is changes requiring labourers receive at least 30 hours of work each week.
Farm workers picking tomatoes with a tractor in the background.