Services still out in Vanuatu as second earthquake hits
A second earthquake has hit Vanuatu, a day after a strong 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Port Vila. Yesterday’s quake severely damaged several buildings in the capital, crushing cars, and
Australian Federal Police incinerates 500kg of cocaine seized after alleged PNG import attempt
Senior police officers from Australia and Papua New Guinea have monitored the destruction of 500kg of cocaine, which was seized by authorities in 2020 after the black flight believed to have been transporting it to
18 new HIV/Aids cases detected daily in PNG
The number of HIV and AIDS cases in Papua New Guinea is on the rise with 18 new infections detected daily. According to the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health Dr Ken Wai, more than 77,000 people are currently
Australia and Fiji win HSBC SVNS in Dubai
International rugby sevens returned to thrill the huge crowds at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai as Fiji men and Australia women ran out winners to take an early lead in the HSBC SVNS standings. Fiji beat Spain 19-5 to lift
Climate change’s invisible toll on LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities in Fiji
“At Daulomani Safe Home, we’re fighting not just the climate but society’s prejudice,” says founder Edwina Biyau, a trans advocate and survivor of homelessness. As Fiji faces the intensifying effects of climate
Vanuatu to launch ICJ hearings on climate and human right
It began five years ago, as an exercise amongst law students at the Emalus campus of the University of the South Pacific in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Now, in the Netherlands, the Republic of Vanuatu will open presentations
Sevens a golden opportunity for Solomon Islands sport tourism
As the Solomon Islands begins final preparations for its hosting of next month’s 2024 Oceania Rugby Sevens Tournament, Tourism Solomons has described the event as yet another major opportunity for the country to show
Opinion: How Vanuatu can return to sustainable growth after Airline bankruptcy
Vanuatu, the Pacific archipelago nation of about 350,000 people between Australia and Fiji, finds itself at a crucial crossroads. The IMF’s recent staff report on Vanuatu reveals an economy grappling with a series of
The Australia-Pacific COP31 bid is in limbo. What now?
Australia and Pacific Island nations had hoped to leave this year’s global climate talks in Azerbaijan having won a bid to host the COP31 summit in 2026. Instead, that decision on who will host the 31st “conference
Taiwan says President Lai to visit Pacific allies
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will visit three Pacific Island nation allies from the end of this month in his first overseas trip since taking office, the presidential office said Friday. Presidential spokeswoman Karen
COP29 climate talks end with $300 billion annual pledge, Guterres calls deal a ‘base to build on’
Rich nations pledged to contribute at least US$300 billion annually to the global fight against climate change as UN climate talks came to a contentious end early Sunday morning in Baku. UN News Center reports that
Tonga’s PM Hu ‘akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni faces another no-confidence vote
Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni is facing a new no-confidence vote following recent political tensions and concerns raised by the King. Kaniva Tonga News reports the Speaker of Parliament, Lord
Family slain by Bougainville community leaders
Bougainville Police are investigating the brutal killing of a family of six over sorcery allegations. The Post Courier reports that the six included two uncles, two brothers, their sister and a nephew from Pakia
PNG set to host Climate Change 42nd GCF Board Meeting in 2025
Papua New Guinea is set to host a high-level climate change meeting mid next year, being the second in the Pacific to host such an event after Samoa 10 years ago. The Post Courier newspaper reports that the Green
Australian migration laws crackdown blasted by experts, advocates
Australia’s plan to pay countries to accept its deported non-citizens is amongst a raft of measures under scrutiny at a Senate inquiry that legal experts and advocates have panned as undermining the rule of law.
Vanuatu Parliament dissolution challenged in court
The Vanuatu Opposition bloc has filed a case in court challenging President Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision to dissolve Parliament amid a no-confidence motion against him. The Vanuatu Daily Post/AAP reports that
Pacific negotiators frustrated by ‘slow process’ of climate talks
Pacific climate leaders were frustrated by the sluggish rate of progress made during the first week of the UN climate meeting in Azerbaijan. RNZ PACIFIC reports that the big goal of this COP is to increase annual
Palauan youth allege human rights violations by US military
Guam-based international law firm Blue Ocean Law has filed a submission to two United Nations independent human rights experts detailing human rights violations they say are caused by the United States’ ongoing
Snap election looms in Vanuatu
The president of Vanuatu has dissolved parliament, triggering a snap-election, for the second time in two years. RNZ reports that Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision comes on the eve of a motion of no-confidence from
New Zealand Treaty protests continue
New Zealand’s Maori Queen will join a generationally significant protest to support the Treaty of Waitangi as it reaches a climax in Wellington. Opposition to the nation-dividing Treaty Principles Bill has already
Pacific education: Backsliding outcomes and a financing freefall
Education outcomes in the Pacific are faltering. Across much of the region, participation in formal education is declining, along with graduation rates and academic performance. Both domestic and international funding
Fiji partners with NGOs at COP29
The UNFCC Conference of the Parties (COP29) is, in the words of Dr Sivendra Michael, Fiji’s country leadand Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, “not an exciting journey. It is a
Pacific expresses interest in Cook Island’s super deal
Cook Islanders moving back home will be able to easily transfer their superannuation funds to the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund under an agreement with Australia. AAP reports that the agreement between the
Australia accused of ‘exporting climate destruction’ on tiny Pacific neighbours with massive gas expansion plans
Pacific governments at the UN climate summit are criticising Australia’s plans for a massive gas industry expansion in Western Australia, saying it could result in 125 times more greenhouse gas emissions than their
