Peter O’Neill is out
By Samantha Magick Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has stepped down. Local media outlet EMTV reports that O’Neill held a media conference today to announce that he has handed over the leadership
Samantha Magick
Fiji crash report is out
By: Peni Komaisavai A report into the crash of a plane in Vanua Levu in February last year has recommended that improved weather information be provided to pilots to mitigate against the risks posed by bad weather.
Low Liquidity Anxieties
By: Dionisia Tabureguci A state of low liquidity in Fiji’s banking system – which currently sits at around F$350million – has been linked to increased pressure on the country’s foreign exchange
US President focus on the Pacific Islands
By: Peni Komaisavai United States President Donald Trump is directing an unprecedented level of focus on the Pacific Islands. Earlier this week, Trump met with Palau’s President Thomas Remengesau Jr, Marshall Islands
28 Election Petitions Filed
By: Peni Komaisavai A history-making 28 election petition cases were filed at the Solomon Islands High Court earlier this week. This will see the election victories of 28 members of parliament challenged. A 29th
No international travel for town administrators
By: Anish Chand Fiji’s Ministry of Local Government has placed a ban on overseas travel by any city or town council CEO or Special Administrators. “No Special Administrator or Chief Executive are to travel
Fijian family loses EU climate change case
By: Anish Chand A Fijian family and nine others have lost a landmark climate change court case in European Union’s highest court. The European Court of Justice has ruled that individuals cannot sue the EU over
No international travel for town administrators
By Anish Chand Fiji’s Ministry of Local Government has placed a ban on overseas travel by any city or town council CEO or Special Administrators. “No Special Administrator or Chief Executive are to travel
PNG no-confidence motion withdrawn…for now
By: Peni Komaisavai Papua New Guinea’s Opposition has withdrawn its motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill after alternative PM candidate James Marape stepped down. This was announced during a
OPINION: Pacific defense pact renewal vital to the US amid rising tension with China
OPINION: Pacific defense pact renewal vital to the US amid rising tension with China By Tommy Remengesau Jr., Opinion Contributor — KOROR, 20 MAY 2019 — Talk of the trade conflict between the United States and
Fiji travelers may get visa-free travel to EU
By Anish Chand The European Union will consider Fiji to be included in the list of countries with visa-free access to the Schengen Area of the EU. This was one of the major undertakings by the EU at the
PNG Confidence Motion Goes to Court
By Peni Komaisavai Papua New Guinea’s government has asked the country’s High Court to stay the processing of a no-confident motion in Parliament, saying if it is heard, it could be in contempt of court. The
Fiji journalists under pressure: EU
By Anish Chand A European Union report on Fiji states the Media Industry Development Decree continues to impose pressure on journalists in Fiji. The EU annual report on Human Rights and Democracy in
Fiji journalists continue to face pressure:EU
A European Union report on Fiji states the Media Industry Development Decree continues to impose pressure on journalists in Fiji. The EU annual report on Human Rights and Democracy in Fiji 2018 says the
USP opts for independent inquiry
By Samantha Magick The University of the South Pacific’s Council says an independent investigation into allegations against its former Vice Chancellor will be conducted “on its behalf.” This was a
Motion against Tuvalu PM as UN SG visits
By Samisoni Pareti Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga is playing host to visiting United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres in his island capital today as a motion of no confidence hangs over his
USP unions calls for suspension of staff
By Peni Komaisavai Employees of the University of the South Pacific are calling for a thorough and independent investigation into allegations of mismanagement and abuse of process at the university. All three USP staff
NZ upgrades travel alert on Fiji
By Anish Chand The New Zealand government is warning its citizens of an escalation in crime in Fiji. In a travel advisory issued on May 14th Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, “theft and assault have been reported
A Certain Madness in May
By Professor Brij Lal Some dates leave indelible imprints on our minds, become markers of special moments across time. For the people of Fiji, one of those dates in living memory would have to be 14 May 1987. If of a
FLNKS holds steady in Congress polls
By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia The conservative coalition Avenir en Confiance (The future with confidence) has won a significant victory in New Caledonia’s elections, increasing its role in the Southern
Robert Oliver Q&A
Islands Business: Bula Robert and welcome back to Fiji. You just arrived last night. What’s the first thing you want to eat when you come back? Robert Oliver: Well actually I dropped my bags and went straight up to
USP rocked by abuse allegations
By Samisoni Pareti & Peni Komaisavai Allegations of serious cases of mismanagement and abuse of process at the University of the South Pacific involving its former Vice Chancellor and President have emerged. A
USP rocked by Abuse Allegations
Reports have surfaced about serious cases of mismanagement and abuse at the University of the South Pacific involving its former vice chancellor and president, Professor Rajesh Chandra. Documents cited by Islands