Pacific digital toolbox needs expanding to hammer out misinformation
By Romitesh Kant, The Australian National University in Canberra A shortage of resources and investment from major digital platforms has left the Pacific region battling a campaign of misinformation and
PNG election update: Voting starts
Prime Minister James Marape cast his vote at Tari Urban yesterday on the first day of polling in the PNH election, saying he was confident he would come home victorious. He repeated that he will resign as a member of
Oceans emergency declared
Updates from the UN Oceans conference The United Nations Secretary General has declared an “ocean emergency” at the 2022 UN Oceans Conference co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya in Lisbon. Addressing delegates attending
Vanuatu, Niue borders reopen this week
After closing its international borders to everyone except citizens and residents two years ago following the COVID-19 pandemic, Vanuatu is reopening and reconnecting with the world starting this Friday. Vanuatu had not
PNG tops Pacific Mini Games
PNG tops Mini Pacific Games Team Papua New Guinea ended the Mini Pacific Games with flying colours, topping the medals tally with a total of 80 medals in Saipan, Northern Marianas. They returned with 33 gold, 28 silver
Draw date confirmed for OFC Champions League 2022 group stage
The final eight teams vying for Oceania club football supremacy will learn their OFC Champions League 2022 group stage draw this Thursday. The draw will take place at 1.00pm NZT at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o
Stunning electoral victory for independence party in French Polynesia
In an unprecedented electoral victory, the independence party Tavini Huira’atira has won all three seats allocated to French Polynesia in the French National Assembly. Voters across French Polynesia turned out on
Australia recommits to Nauru ‘regional processing centre’
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has recommitted to maintaining the regional processing centre on Nauru, which accounts for more than half of the island country’s budget. Revenue from the processing centre
Opinion: This year’s Pacific elections marginalise and isolate too many
As 2022 Pacific elections unfold, it is evident that a global decline in democracy is disadvantaging the most vulnerable. By Mere Nailatikau Election season is in the air. With Australia’s ballots counted,
Pacific states push for TPNW assistance to nuclear survivors
Pacific delegates will play a key role at a major nuclear disarmament conference this week in Austria, as governments discuss the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and implementation of the new Treaty on the
Australia’s submits more ambitious climate targets
Australia has submitted more ambitious climate targets to the United Nations, with the government declaring the country had turned a corner on the issue. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed an updated version of the
Fiji: tidal flooding to abate today
The heavy swells that affected several communities around Fiji early yesterday morning were triggered by a king tide coupled with moderate to heavy swells, according to the Fiji Meteorological Service. The phenomena
A trip to remember: Moce island
The trip to Moce in Fiji’s Lau group, I must admit, was scary but thrilling for me. It was the first time I’ve travelled by boat by myself, and I didn’t know anyone else aboard. At the back of my mind as I boarded
Seasonal workers scheme needs balance: Samoa PM Mata’afa
Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa says there needs to be a circular process for the seasonal workers scheme to ensure human resource constraints in Samoa are dealt with in a balanced manner. Mata’afa
Cook Islands election set for August 1st
Cook Islands elections will be held on August 1st. Queen’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters dissolved Parliament yesterday, and announced the polling date. Prime Minister Mark Brown will lead Cook Islands Party
A call for more collaborative, science and grassroot involvement in oceans management
World Oceans Day saw a flurry of activity in Fiji’s capital, Suva, as people gathered to celebrate the ocean as an integral part of their lives. It coincided with a two-day Pacific Oceans Alliance meeting that
Oceans vision laid out at oceans meeting
What kind of ocean would we like to pass to our future generations? What would it take to do so? Are we doing enough? This was the challenge raised by Pacific Ocean Commissioner and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary
Making a point: Rosy Akbar on sexism in parliament
On the eve of the first Pacific Women Leaders meeting, Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar has revealed how she deals with sexism in parliament. “I have always spoken out to
‘The family stays together’
Micronesian members will stay in Pacific Islands Forum “I think that big dark, dark cloud that has been hanging over the Pacific has evaporated from this meeting.” That was Federated States of Micronesia President,
Pacific Islands Forum unity talks underway in Fiji
Fiji today hosts the second day of talks aimed at keeping the Pacific Islands Forum membership intact, with the leaders of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and Cook Islands in the country for meetings with their
China, PNG discuss free trade deal
China and Papua New Guinea held talks on a free-trade deal Friday, as Beijing’s foreign minister wrapped up a landmark tour of the Pacific Islands with a stop in the resource-rich nation. Papua New Guinea’s
Cook Islands, Samoa open first ever diplomatic missions in Fiji this week
The Cook Islands and Samoa open their first diplomatic missions in Suva this week. The Cook Islands High Commission will open today, and the Samoa High Commission tomorrow. Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe
Expired booster vaccines administered in Niue
A total of 51 people in Niue who took their booster vaccines on Tuesday last week have been informed that the vaccine used was expired, according to a government statement. Director General of Health and Social