Six refugees relocated
Six of the 64 refugees and asylum seekers housed in Papua New Guinea by Australia have been relocated from their current accommodation because of unpaid bills. The National reports that according to Pakistani refugee
The National/ Pacnews
Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned
Cook Islands has concluded public consultation for seabed mineral exploration guidelines, while the Prime Minister emphasises exploration’s potential for future prosperity and responsible resource
Forget the past, says Puna
“I don’t want to live in the past and I’m sure the leaders don’t want to live in the past. We’ve moved on from that and we want to move forward,” said outgoing Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum
Te Ipukarea Society: Deep seabed mining and the emerging risk to our tuna fisheries
Last week saw the Cook Islands host one of the most significant meetings with respect to the shared tuna stocks in the region. That was the annual session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission,
Bougainville anniversary
The fourth anniversary of the historic referendum on Bougainville was on 11 December. Ninety-eight per cent of Bougainvilleans voted for Independence in the non-binding Bougainville Referendum – Post Courier
COP28: Celebrating the Crumbs
After 28 years of international climate negotiations, the COP summit finally reached an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. The mention of fossil fuels is in itself a breakthrough. But it is low-hanging
Hotel groups want unique visa for Chinese tourists
The two largest businesses groups in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas (CNMI) are pleading for the administration of Governor Arnold I. Palacios and other local officials to support the creation and implementation
U.S. Air Force plans to host 12 Singapore fighter jets on Guam
The U.S. Department of Air Force is proposing the beddown of up to a dozen Singapore Air Force F-15 fighter jets, which forms part of a 2019 agreement with the Asian ally to establish a permanent training detachment at
Cook Islands Parliament passes medicinal cannabis import bill
Cook Islanders who require medicinal cannabis for their health’s wellbeing can now import or bring the item into the country, provided the product is being prescribed by an overseas medical practitioner. This comes
National Referendum in six months: Vanuatu PM
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai announced in Parliament Tuesday that a national referendum is expected to happen within the next six months. This announcement followed the unanimous approval of the
Pragmatist, Puppetmaster or Puppet?
“Tonight we take the first step in telling our story to the whole world.” That was Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s declaration when opening the region’s premier sporting competition, the
Spirituality in action
The glitter of the family name, the association with one of Fiji’s biggest business houses, the label of international performing artist and the presence on some of the world’s largest entertainment stages. It all
Westpac stays, so what’s next?
Westpac’s October announcement that it no longer planned to sell its remaining businesses in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and its statement to the Australian Stock Exchange that it would increase investment in its
Whispers
Uni’s rough start The news on the newest regional university is not good. Launched at an ecumenical gathering in New Caledonia early this month, its application for funding has been rejected by two banks. The
Amidst HIV surge, solidarity is key
Ten years ago, Christopher Lutukivuya was diagnosed as HIV-positive. “I actually didn't tell anyone about my status,” he recalls. “I went home, placed my medication on the shelves, and I asked my mother, ‘You
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s newest park is being developed on eight acres of government land in the village of Vaitogi. The Talanei reported that $839,340 has been spent on the project. It will include a 27-hole
Opinion: The Fiji Military and the 2013 Constitution
The view that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) plays an important and necessary role as the guardian of the 2013 Constitution and as a keeper of the peace within Fiji has recently been expressed by several
“We are facing Goliath” – West Papuan church leaders call for solidarity
“We are facing Goliath, or even the Pharaoh,” says West Papua church leader Rode Wanimbo, “but we still have to speak out strong.” Wanimbo is coordinator of the Women’s Department of the Evangelical Christian
Aboard the Run Da vessels
A warning for Pacific crew Sometime in 2018, a Fiji policewoman told us an incredible story about a young Fijian fellow who had been a deckhand crew member on the Run Da 5, a Chinese longline vessel licensed to fish in
Movers and Shakers
The Pacific Community (SPC) has appointed a new Micronesia Director based in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. William Kostka has decades of environmental, community and development expertise across the North
Fiji’s national living treasure: Dr Dick Watling
Dr Dick Watling believes that for conservation programmes to be successful, they must “place resource owners and their needs and aspirations at their centre and train people to implement them.” Dr Watling makes his
Moana Pasifika to host first Super Rugby game in Tonga
Moana Pasifika will stage a Super Rugby match in Tonga for the first time in history next year in a bid to grow the sport on the island, the club said Wednesday. Nineteen of the team’s 38-man playing squad are
COP28 adopts ‘UAE consensus’ paving the way for fossil fuel transition
The President of COP28 Sultan Al Jaber has announced that participating parties have endorsed the ‘UAE Consensus’ Wednesday in the climate change negotiations in Dubai. The consensus, supported by representatives
