Vanuatu Election results disrupted by Chair’s death, COVID-19 precautions
The Vanuatu Electoral Commission has hit its worst nightmare as the official results continue to be delayed due to the COVID-19 situation and sadly, the passing of its Electoral Chairman Martin Tete in the early hours
‘Prepare as well as you can’: Mitchell to Pacific Olympic hopefuls
Will the 2020 Olympics still go ahead in July as scheduled? The International Olympic Committee says it will make a call within the next four weeks. Options could include a scaled-down version of the Games, a delay of
Pacific children take centre stage
“It’s within our culture and religion to discipline our children physically, but sometimes we don’t know the line between discipline and abuse, so usually its confusing for us to find that line.” “Physical
InDepth:COVID-19- Managing the myths and the virus
Does the coronavirus survive in hot, tropical climates? Should doctors treat younger patients first? Was the virus created in a laboratory? These and many other questions were put to one of Fiji and the Pacific’s
New Vanuatu government to struggle with economy
Vanuatu’s citizenship scheme has been the focus of political campaigns as the country goes to the polls this month. One of Vanuatu’s biggest revenue sources, sales of Vanuatu passports through various
Agriculture: Niche markets still key
The need for Pacific island agricultural exporters to target niche markets has long been accepted wisdom. A report produced by the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA Plus) program late last year
Agriculture: Generation Farm
On sweltering day in Suva this month, a sea of proud agriculture students decked out in bright blue graduation gowns and salusalus (garlands) posed for selfies with their families. Graduates of the Fiji National
We Say: More drama at USP
The rot continues at the University of the South Pacific. As we went to print, news broke that the USP’s supreme body, the USP Council has established a team to investigate its vice chancellor and president Professor
Pacific Step Up needs Pacific voices
Is development assistance for poor developing countries about altruism, or is it all about economic and strategic self-interest for the Pacific’s biggest donor, Australia? How can aid truly reduce poverty, increase
Gaining credits for Kyoto
The global coronavirus pandemic has pushed climate change off the front pages, but the challenge of responding to the climate emergency has not disappeared. Global emissions of greenhouse gases will likely
Review: Behrouz Boochani’s No Friend but the Mountains
I have resisted reading Behrouz Boochani’s No Friend but the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison, because as a Papua New Guinean and someone who identifies as being from Manus, I am angry about and
‘CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS’ NEEDS ‘OUTSIDE THE BOX’ SOLUTION
For the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the disappointment of COP25 was that the conference attendees did not take its rallying cry for greater commitment: ‘climate change crisis’ – to heart. Recall the
Whispers
SINU secrets, new blood at regional organisations, fake pro-Indonesian sites, COVID-19’s other health impacts. Get Islands Business to learn
USP Vice Chancellor to be investigated for alleged “material misconduct”
The University of the South Pacific’s supreme body, the USP Council has established a team to investigate its vice chancellor and president Professor Pal Ahluwalia. The formation of the investigative team was
Fiji: Will Koya return to Parliament?
Update: Lands Minister Ashneel Sudhakar has been removed from his ministerial position this afternoon. ** A fracas within Fiji’s ruling Fiji First Party could see the return to Parliament of lawyer and former Tourism
First case of Covid-19 in Tahiti
President of French Polynesia Edouard Fritch has announced the first case of Covid-19 in Tahiti – the first confirmed case of the coronavirus across the Pacific Islands. President Fritch said that Maina Sage,
Fijian soldiers return from Iraq tonight to COVID-19 measures
Fijian soldiers returning from peacekeeping duties in Iraq tonight will not be able to meet their relatives immediately after arrival. This is a precaution against the corona Virus, COVID-19. Iraq has 54 reported
Tough battle for Vanuatu women candidates ahead
It’s election campaign time in Vanuatu where women candidates will try their luck once more to outpoll their male counterparts and end the ‘zero women in parliament’ drought with hopes for a place in Parliament.
Fiji resort to change hands after scam trial
A Fijian resort will change hands after an Australian salesman found guilty of swindling customers of $AUD190million was forced to hand over his interests in the property. Bounty Resort which lies between Nadi and the
Coronavirus travel restrictions: a Pacific wrap
There have been no cases of coronavirus reported in the Pacific Islands region, although Australia and New Zealand have reported cases, and in the case of Australia, one death. However the Pacific region has responded
Chuuk independence referendum delayed again
(Pacnews) A closely watched independence vote in the Pacific state of Chuuk, part of the U.S.-aligned Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), scheduled for next month has been postponed until 2022, the