Opinion: Fixing the plastics problem when delivering urgent aid

Coping with climate change is hard enough. Sustainability cannot be overlooked in humanitarian action across the Pacific.  In March last year, twin cyclones – Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin – ravaged Vanuatu.

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Palau faces challenges, Opportunities in merging solar and diesel power

The Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) is undergoing a significant transformation driven by new energy technologies.   This shift, centred on merging solar energy with existing diesel-generated power, presents

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Social worker says Pacific men misinterpreting the Bible to justify domestic violence

There is concern over Bible verses being misinterpreted by some Pacific men to justify domestic violence, a Samoan-Chinese social worker says.  Genevieve Sang-Yum, a lecturer in social work at Unitec’s Waitakere

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CARE, SIUP, SIPRA nominate Matthew Wale as Solomon Islands PM candidate

The Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE), Solomon Islands United Party (SIUP) and Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement(SIPRA) has officially nominated former Opposition leader Matthew

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Cook Islanders invited to discuss Health Bill, medicinal cannabis access 

Cook Islands Health Secretary Bob Williams says it is important for the public to know and understand the Public Health Bill, set for public discussions starting today.  A series of public consultations on the

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CCTV network launched in Samoa

Criminals beware, you are now being watched as the Samoa Police and Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched the Safer CCTV Network that will keep an eye on hotspots around Apia.  It comprises 30 CCTV cameras, a

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Solomon Islands Caretaker PM Manasseh Sogavare bows out, won’t keep his job following elections

Solomon Islands Caretaker Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has passed on the leadership of the Parliamentary Wing of OUR Party to Prime Ministerial candidate, Jeremiah Manele.  Speaking at a press briefing Monday

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‘Tongan Pablo’ identified in corrupt Air NZ baggage crew smuggling drugs from Los Angeles into Auckland 

A Tongan man has been named as the senior baggage handler at Auckland Airport who had arranged for his criminal colleagues to import methamphetamine into Aotearoa during the Covid-19 lockdown.  A New Zealand Herald

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Palau tourism rebounds, aims for Pre-Pandemic levels by year’s end 

Palau’s tourism industry is experiencing a significant comeback, with visitor arrivals steadily increasing throughout 2023 and into 2024.  Total arrivals in 2023 surpassed 42,000, reaching nearly 45 percent of

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Opinion: Pacific elder excoriates Australia on AUKUS panel with Bob Carr 

Former foreign minister Bob Carr recently described AUKUS as “fragrant, methane-wrapped bullshit”. This remark — tailor-made for the headlines — was covered by media outlets on both sides of the Tasman Sea.  

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Fijian Drua rebound with tense win over Moana Pasifika

The Fijian Drua have hung on for a 24-17 win over Moana Pasifika in Lautoka.  It was a pair of returning stars for Mick Byrne’s side that proved the difference and Taniela Rakuro and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula secured

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NSW Waratahs complete perfect season with commanding win over Fijian Drua

The NSW Waratahs have claimed their fifth Super Rugby Women’s title with a 50-14 win over the Fijian Drua at Ballymore.  Winger Desiree Miller finished the game with a hat-trick as they built an early lead in the

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HK Airlines resumes Saipan service; hotel group ‘ecstatic’ about the return of Chinese tourists

After a  four-year hiatus, Hong Kong Airlines will resume direct flights between Hong Kong and Saipan this weekend, foretelling the resurgence of the China market in the Northern Marianas.  The Hotel Association of

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Australian-born judge David Lambourne closer to deportation as Kiribati parliament votes for High Court removal, ‘major setback for justice’ – UN

An Australian judge is a step closer to being deported from Kiribati after the country’s parliament voted in favour of his removal from the High Court.  David Lambourne’s suspension from office two

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Capsizing of Tuvalu boat carrying vaccines highlights climate change challenges, UNICEF says

The capsizing of a boat carrying childhood vaccines and health workers in Tuvalu underscored the challenges of healthcare in remote Pacific Islands as they battle extreme weather caused by climate change, the UN

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Pacific job market shows resilience amidst challenges, ILO report shows

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), reports ongoing challenges within the Pacific job market, despite resilient growth. The Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work and the 2050 Strategy for the

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Nambawan Super planning new Port Moresby suburb

Papua New Guinea superannuation operator Nambawan Super Ltd says about 1000 families will have to move from the Bush Wara settlement in Port Moresby by mid-July.  Managing director Paul Sayer said in total about 5000

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Ni-Vanuatu workers in Australian prisons: Minister

Vanuatu’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Johnny Koanapo, has revealed that many Ni-Vanuatu citizens are currently in prisons in Australia for a wide range of offences, varying from what he described as “very

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ADB calls for more sports, retirement and medical tourism in Fiji

Continued recovery in Fiji’s tourism sector boosted the country’s overall economic growth last year, according to the Asian Development Bank.  In its annual Asian Development Outlook report released this month, the

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No records for 80 percent of names on 2021 electoral roll

Samoa’s Electoral Commissioner Tuiafelolo John Stanley says the biggest problem his office is facing is reconciling information from voters to office records.  He told TV1Samoa News that they cannot find records

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Election results for Gao-Bugotu Constituency in disarray after pre-polling ballots were left uncounted   

Election results for Gao-Bugotu Constituency in Isabel Province has been thrown into disarray after officials found pre-polling ballots for the constituency have not been counted.   Independent candidate Trevor Hedley

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Opinion: The Climate Crises & High Debt-Levels in the Pacific: Who will pay?

As Fiji and neighbouring Pacific Island Countries face the daunting prospect of dealing with unprecedented national debt levels and the effects of climate change, the issue of how climate action will be financed becomes

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IAEA team inspects treated radioactive water release from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant

A team of experts from the UN nuclear agency inspected the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant Wednesday for a review of its discharge of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific.  The

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Samoa, as Chair of AOSIS, flags special circumstances of SIDS at plastic treaty talks. Pacific SIDS calls for global solidarity in addressing the plastics crisis, asks for high ambition

Samoa, as Chair of AOSIS, flags special circumstances of SIDS at plastic treaty talks As officials and negotiators sift through the revised draft text of the international legally binding instrument on plastic

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