The tragedy of New Caledonia
On the night of Monday 13 May, Noumea exploded. Across many parts of New Caledonia’s capital, young people took to the streets, stoning French riot police, looting and burning shops, car yards and factories. The next
Nic Maclellan
Change in direction, or just smoother sailing?
It was perhaps the most watched and closely observed elections to have taken place within the Pacific region in the last decade. As voters in Solomon Islands went to the polls on 17 April 2024, the world’s two
The complexities of undersea cables
While outside actors may see undersea cable infrastructure through a lens of geopolitical competition, political leaders in the Pacific Islands region are geared towards providing digital connectivity to the islands, an
In the shadow of global challenges
Cybersecurity threats and governing generative AI are amongst the most pressing challenges facing telecommunications companies globally. While the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) characterises the
USP problems fester behind veil of silence
One month after the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Council voted to move controversial Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia from Samoa to Fiji, the University’s two unions are demanding Ahluwalia’s
Opinion: A turnstile of bad debt
Buried beneath the big-ticket items in the Australian Government’s latest budget statement, a relatively small outlay to Papua New Guinea (PNG) barely rates a mention. But, while the commentariat hones in on Stage
SOGIESC activists rally for inclusivity and justice
Advocates for SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics) are rallying for inclusivity and justice in the Pacific, saying that their struggles intersect with broader issues such as
Whispers
Against independence – and each other As French President Macron flew into Noumea for 18 hours, there were sharp divisions between political leaders – and that’s just on the anti-independence side! Even though
Vanuatu women stump Zimbabwe in World Cricket Qualifier
A decade after its women’s cricket debut, Vanuatu’s women’s cricket team defeated 12th-ranked Zimbabwe in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier in Abu Dhabi in April. It was the first for a Vanuatu team to
Briefs
American Samoa American Samoa is working to establish and record physical addresses. Talanei News reports that the absence of official physical addresses or location identifiers for streets, households, business,
Movers and Shakers
The Solomon Islands Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has sworn in 12 Members of Parliament as Ministers. They are:- Rex Annex Ramofafia, National Planning and DevelopmentCoordination.- Makario
Opinion: How integrating traditional leadership will impact Pacific Islands governance and diplomacy
Pacific Island nations have declared a campaign to move toward recognition of indigenous and traditional leaders in policy development. While it may appear an unconventional move in the Pacific’s contemporary context
Hawaii officials say they’re ready to host FestPAC as nations begin arriving
Hawaii officials say they are ready to host the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture next week. FestPAC, the largest gathering of Pacific Islanders, is anticipated to draw more than 100,000 people and over 2,100
Pacific Islands Forum calls for global support at SIDS4 Conference
Head of delegation for the Pacific Islands Forum, Sione Tekiteki has addressed the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States(SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda, highlighting the resilience and
Opinion: Increasing women’s political representation in Solomon Islands
On 29 December 2023, the Solomon Islands National Cabinet approved the introduction of temporary special measures (TSMs) to improve women’s political representation in the Provincial Government Assemblies (PGAs).
Award-winning playwright Sia Figiel on murder charge in Samoa
Details are emerging after a well-known Samoa playwright was charged with murder on Monday for allegedly stabbing a woman in Vaivase-uta last Saturday. Award-winning playwright Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, was earlier
France lifts state of emergency in New Caledonia, maintains curfew
France on Tuesday lifted a state of emergency in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia but is maintaining a curfew and sending hundreds of paramilitary reinforcements after two weeks of unrest in which seven people
Tourism Fiji calls for increase in government budget allocation
Tourism Fiji Chief Executive Officer has called for an increase in government spending towards the tourism sector as it aims to “keep its momentum going”. With the Fiji government’s budget announcement a month
Christian Karembeu says family killed in New Caledonia violence
Former footballer Christian Karembeu shared that he has tragically lost two family members amid the recent surge of violence in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia. Amid contentious voting reforms, seven
Opinion: Fiji’s enormous contribution to global peacekeeping
29 May – the International Day of UN Peacekeeping – is an important day on the United Nations’ annual event calendar. It is a day that we mark with great pride, admiration, solemnity and honour for the men and
The Shepards: Spreading kindness in Fiji and the world
Twenty-six years ago, Judy and Dennis Shepard’s son, Matthew, was killed in a hate crime. More than two decades later, they continue to share a message of kindness, most recently during a visit to Fiji. They are
NZ commits $20m to Cook Islands budget, $10.5m for public service
Cook Islands has secured $20 million (US$12.30 million) in Core Sector Budget Support and an additional $10.5 million (US$6.45 million) for continued public sector strengthening during the 8th Cook Islands-New Zealand
PNG landslide: Thousands more to evacuate as death toll mounts
Six villages down hill from the landslide disaster that has claimed an estimated 670 lives in Papua New Guinea’s highlands will be evacuated over fears more of the mountainside will crush them. The landslide in
