Solomon Airlines struggles amid prolonged COVID-19 impact
The need to survive and keep a national asset afloat is taking a heavy toll on Solomon Airlines. In an open letter to stakeholders this week, Solomon Airlines CEO Brett Gebers outlined a number of measures the
Foreign Ministers prepare for Forum leaders meeting
COVID, climate and oceans were high on the agenda, as foreign ministers and officials from around the region met online on 14 October, for the 2020 Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting (FFMM). This year’s ministerial
Cook Islands ratifies PACER Plus
The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) is to come into force with the Cook Islands ratifying the agreement this week. Cook Islands is the eighth signatory to PACER Plus, joining Australia,
Rio ready to discuss Bougainville clean-up after claims it ‘side-stepped’ responsibilities
Global miner Rio Tinto says it is ready to discuss cleaning up the site of the gold and copper Panguna mine which it abandoned in 2016, a move locals say was designed to allow the miner to entirely avoid the costs of
Australia boosts Pacific aid allocation
The Australian Federal Budget delivered last night has increased aid to the Pacific. An extra A$211 million has been allocated to COVID-19 response in the form of grants, agreed in negotiations with recipient countries,
Narrow victory in New Caledonia referendum
Voters stay with France but support for independence increases For the second time in as many years, voters in New Caledonia have narrowly decided against independence for the French Pacific dependency. Provisional
New Caledonia: “Our accession to sovereignty is inevitable.”
On Sunday, long-term residents in New Caledonia will go to the polls, to vote in a referendum on the political status of the French Pacific dependency. For New Caledonia’s independence movement, it’s just one more
New Caledonia: “Our accession to sovereignty is inevitable.”
On Sunday, long-term residents in New Caledonia will go to the polls, to vote in a referendum on the political status of the French Pacific dependency. For New Caledonia’s independence movement, it’s just one more
Pioneering PNG Woman politician Nahau Rooney passes on
Trailblazing, hardworking, audacious, always vivacious and sometimes controversial were among tributes and recollections shared of Papua New Guinea and Manus political pioneer, Nahau Rooney who passed away on Tuesday
Pacific awakening in New Caledonia
“We haven’t created a movement to fight for independence or to fight for France – we’ve created a movement to fight poverty in New Caledonia. That’s our struggle.” That’s Milakulo Tukumuli, leader of
USP saga drags on
Controversial pro chancellor of the University of the South Pacific Winston Thompson of Fiji has been instructed to convene another urgent meeting of the USP Council. This time, interim USP Council chair, and president
Female-led businesses suffer more under COVID-19
“From capital to develop and export goods like coffee, to training and support with digital platforms, Pacific businesses – especially female-led business – are in urgent need of tangible support,” says the
Traditional values underpin Kanaloa Rugby
A new rugby franchise to the US national competition may provide a life-line for some Pacific islands rugby players. The website of Hawaii-based Kanaloa Rugby bears the quote, “From the depths of breadths of the
Neighbours: Australia and New Caledonia boost diplomatic and defence ties
Eighty years ago, fearful of Japan, Australia sent a diplomat and a warship to New Caledonia. Today, Australia is mobilising defence and diplomacy against another rising Asian power. On the morning of 19 September 1940,
Women’s empowerment, COVID amongst career fair themes
The University of the South Pacific (USP) recently invited 30 employers to engage in a two-day exposition at its annual Career and Internship Fair. The event was organized by USP’s Career and Entrepreneurship Center,
Women’s empowerment, COVID amongst career fair themes
The University of the South Pacific (USP) recently invited 30 employers to engage in a two-day exposition at its annual Career and Internship Fair. The event was organized by USP’s Career and Entrepreneurship Center,
Poetry anthology gives voice to human rights
“My voice does matter, someone will listen, we can make a change whether to write poems or not. What you do matters.” That was the message of Tongan student, Anna Jane Vea, at the launch of a book of
Fashion incubation centre encourages entrepreneurship
“It is people, their skills and abilities who will rebuild our economy post COVID-19,” Fiji’s Minster for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa told attendees at the launch of a Fashion
Westpac won’t speculate on Pacific sale
Westpac says it will not respond to speculation in Australian media this week that it is on the verge of selling its Pacific businesses. A Westpac Fiji spokesperson says the Bank “is currently undertaking strategic
Fiji welcomes World Bank business ranking review
The Fiji government has welcomed the World Bank’s decision to pause publication of its 2021 Doing Business Report. In a statement released last week, The World Bank said a number of irregularities had been reported
EU funds projects to “put food on people’s plates”
The European Union (EU) and the South Pacific Community (SPC) have launched three separate projects for the Pacific region focussed on cutting dependence on imported fuel and improving access to clean water and
“You sir are muddying the process once again,” Nauru President tells USP’s Thompson
Nauru’s President says moves by University of the South Pacific’s Pro-Chancellor to schedule an Executive Council meeting today “seems very much like an attempt at undermining [the USP] Council or usurping the
Bula Force will not be forgotten
The ‘Bula Force’ has been awarded the Australian Chief of Defence Force Commendation Medal for their service during the catastrophic bushfires which ravaged Australia earlier this year. Australia’s High