Kiribati’s suspended judges ‘a critical threat’: IBHARI
An international human rights body has condemned the suspension of three senior Court of Appeal judges by the Kiribati government, calling it a “critical threat” to the rule of law. In a statement on Wednesday, the
Opinion: Benchmarking microfinance
In the last few years we have seen a notably bleaker narrative around our efforts to end global poverty. Severe impacts of climate change, lingering effects of an unprecedented pandemic, and a looming food insecurity
Opinion: Shifting the dial on child malnutrition in the Pacific and Timor-Leste
As donors seeking to support development impact in the Pacific, the Australian government cannot afford to ignore the challenge of child undernutrition and its deep and long-lasting impacts on the Pacific region’s
‘Black eye’ for Marshall Islands: Hilda on alleged bribery scandal
The arrest and extradition to the United States last week of two naturalised Marshallese citizens indicted by the Justice Department for allegedly bribing multiple elected leaders is “a big black eye for the
Kiribati govt suspends all Court of Appeal judges
Kiribati’s government has dramatically escalated its campaign against the judiciary reports the ABC, suspending the country’s three remaining senior judges after they blocked the deportation of High Court
Connecting French Polynesia to the world
ICT in French Polynesia will likely see further improvement as the territory’s infrastructure is expected to connect to a new submarine cable. Hawaiki Niu Submarine Cable LP, a subsidiary of BW digital, and Office Des
Rugby Unions meet in Fiji to plan post COVID
Over 24 representatives from member rugby unions across the Pacific, including Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Kiribati are attending a combined 5 day World Rugby and
Kiribati drought at critical stage says UNICEF
Fears of malnutrition and other illnesses are mounting in Kiribati as the country grapples with an ongoing drought. The Kiribati government in June declared a state of disaster after the discovery of high salinity
Verdict on Vanuatu Dissolution to be declared September 9
The constitutional case to decide whether or not there will be an early election in Vanuatu will not be decided until the end of this week. At Friday’s hearing before Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek, the counsel for the
Pacific Islands Forum re-engages with Kiribati
Fijian Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Voreqe Bainimarama says Forum Leaders are committed to exploring options for closer diplomatic engagement between Kiribati and the Pacific Islands Forum.
American Samoa: Amata says No to U.S. citizenship
American Samoa Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata supports U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision not to ‘impose’ U.S. citizenship on U.S. nationals in American Samoa. “I am gratified that the Biden
Fijian Warriors finishes the series in style
Fijian Warriors finished off the Fiji Rugby Invitational Series in style beating Manuma Samoa 39-22 in the final match at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Saturday. Captain Tetiva Ikanivere opened the scoresheet for the Fijian
‘If we win, it’s going to be huge!’ : Cook Islands Cricket coach
The Cook Islands national cricket squad departed for Auckland last week to join the other half of their team before going to the East Asia Pacific Sub-Regional Qualifying Tournament in Vanuatu. The national side,
Fiji Tourism looks north
As Fiji reopens to the world, Tourism Fiji’s top priority is securing new markets. “We were very serious about what we were doing over there,” says Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill about Fiji Airways’ recent
Economic diversification is key for Fiji
Fiji’s recovery is good; however it needs to diversify its economy said Dr Kishti Sen, ANZ Pacific Economist, during his visit to Fiji last week. “Our expectations towards the end of last year was that the tourism
Niue premier warns against falsifying travel documents
The Niue government is concerned as allegations emerge of passengers falsifying travel application requirements while the Health Department continues investigations into the origin of the index case of the current
PNG facing downgrade, says Popoitai
Frustrated by the lack of prosecution of financially-motivated crime cases, Bank of PNG has warned that the country’s global standing and cost of banking could be affected as a result. Bank of Papua New Guinea acting
PNG proposed carbon credit law queried
Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu has asked in Papua New Guinea Parliament for an update on a proposed amendment by the Forestry Authority to include forestry produce under its authority. This would include classifying carbon
Fisheries important to recover Pacific economies
Pacific Fisheries Ministers have identified maximising value from their fisheries as key to supporting the economic recovery from COVID-19. This was raised by delegates at the annual 19th Forum Fisheries Committee
PNGDF probe shooting in PNG waters
Papua New Guinea’s Defence Force has set the terms of reference to start off internal investigations into the shooting of an Indonesian fisherman in PNG waters allegedly by soldiers last week following the
Air Vanuatu confirms interim plan with lessor to safeguard 737
The national airline Air Vanuatu has confirmed that its Boeing 737 is at risk of repossession by its lessor. Air Vanuatu owed USD$8 million lease payments to American Leasing Company (ALC), which is approximately VT897
PNG remain neutral with issues in the APEC region: Marape
Papua New Guineans will not be caught up in the fight between the Eastern and Western countries but will maintain its stand on being friends to all and enemy to none. Prime Minister, James Marape made this known when
Opinion: Assessing Remittances Potential to Build Climate Resilience in the Pacific
While contributing very little to global warming, Pacific Island nations are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, already experiencing extreme climate-induced disasters such as tropical cyclones.
