Second political pact signed in Vanuatu

The signing of another agreement by representatives of the political parties who were excluded from the new Vanuatu Government formation took place Thursday night. The parties involved are Vanua’aku Pati (VP),

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New $1.5M social scheme to help Tonga tsunami-affected families

The Tonga Government will distribute Humanitarian Cash Transfers of $1.5 million pa’anga (US$614,000), to support 3,000 beneficiaries from affected areas in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai, to recover from

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Opinion: The Pacific, emerging from COVID, slowly

The impact of COVID-19 on the economies of the Pacific island region has been much more severe than on any other region or group of countries. The Pacific contracted by 5.4% between 2019 and 2021; other regions or

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Kaua’i, first county to regulate devt on sea level rise forecast

Kaua ‘i, the fourth largest island of Hawaii, became one of the first counties to enact proactive development regulations based on scientific modeling projections of sea level rise. “Today is truly a historic day as

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Vanuatu: Pact signed to form new government

The formation of Vanuatu’s new Government is in the works, after a pact signing between 31 candidates of the snap election who have secured seats in their respective constituencies, according to unofficial

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Collective action is necessary for Pacific security: Sovaleni

Tonga Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni welcomed Tuesday, senior defence delegates from the region to discuss Pacific security challenges and build collective Pacific responses. Attending the 7th South

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Samoa opposition MPs suspended for two years

Samoa Opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi are officially suspended from Parliament for a record two years. The House voted 29 – 19

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Journey to COP27: Pacific Women negotiators state their case for 1.5 world

Pacific women negotiators at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC COP) are adamant about what they want to come from COP27 in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

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Palau: More flights announced, Taiwan to assist tourism promotions

More flights to Palau are coming this November, with United Airlines (UA) adding two more flights a week, revealed Peter Polloi, Director General of Civil Aviation at Palau National Aviation Administration. UA’s

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Corruption, a major impediment to PNG businesses

Corruption in the systems of government has continued to be a major impediment to businesses, the Small Medium Enterprises, new investors as well as existing companies operating in Papua New Guinea. The director of the

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Runoff predicted in CNMI’s three-way race for governor

There are 19,275 registered voters for the CNMI 2022 general elections. This number excludes absentee voters.  According to the CNMI Constitution, “If no candidates receive more than one-half of the total votes

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Vanuatu snap election: International observers arrive

There are a total of 49 regional and international observers currently in Vanuatu to monitor the running of the October 13 snap election. The election was triggered after the dissolution of the country’s

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Oceania Rugby men’s championship returns to PNG

The 2022 Oceania Rugby Men’s Championship will be hosted by Papua New Guinea Rugby Union at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium on October 19-27, Oceania Rugby confirmed today. The tournament returns for the first time

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PNG to share vessel tracking data in new partnership

In a new partnership with Global Fishing Watch, Papua New Guinea has committed to sharing vessel tracking data from its Fishing Industry Association on the organisation’s public map. Through this agreement, PNG is

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Over 200 stranded pilot whales die on Pacific island

New Zealand’s conservation office on Tuesday said all 240 pilot whales stranded on the remote Pitt Island have died, just days after 215 whales died on a beach on nearby Chatham Island. Dave Lundquist, marine

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UNDP calls for debt relief now for 54 countries

Fifty-four countries that are home to more than half of the poorest people on the planet need urgent debt relief now, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said in a paper published on Tuesday that calls for rich

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Fisheries businesses off to Mauritius

Seven members of the business community across the region have been selected for a business peer-to-peer exchange programme in Mauritius this month. Pacific Islands Forum Director of Programmes & Initiatives, Zarak

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World Rugby Chairman opens home of Fijian Drua

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont Monday officially opened the Fijian Drua’s home base. The opening was done in the presence of Fijian Government leaders, World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin, stakeholders, sponsors,

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Losing Samoa police to seasonal work overseas: Schuster

Samoa Minister for Police & Prisons, Faualo Harry Schuster has raised concern over the loss of police officers to the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) workers scheme. Faualo told Talamua that it is an issue that

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Vanuatu Snap Election countdown

All ballot boxes are expected to be dispatched to all 18 respective constituencies in Vanuatu by today. The first dispatch of the ballot boxes occurred over the weekend for the Noumea Polling Station in New Caledonia.

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Opinion: High-stakes drama in Marshall Islands or just another day at the office?

A word of free advice: if you’re going to try to bribe legislators to create a special zone to attract at best suspicious investment, don’t do it as an officer of a non-governmental organisation you formed in the

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PNG Court orders Govt premises unlocked

The Mexican standoff over the closure of PNG government offices due to nonpayment of rentals has ended. The National Court last Friday ordered landlord Nambawan Supa Limited to remove all locks to Vulupindi Haus,

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PNG Govt kicked out of premises

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape’s whirlwind four-nation tour did not end with the best homecoming he expected. He arrived home Wednesday to be greeted with news that his ministry, National Planning

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Biden Administration vows to renew Compacts with Palau, FSM and RMI

The Biden administration has committed to renewing the Compacts of Free Association, with Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.   The promise of renewal of the partnership agreements from the United

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