Fiji Budget Debate: TELs change ‘selling out’ students
Fiji opposition parliamentarian, Parveen Bala says the government’s new scholarship system is “selling out of the principle of equal access to higher education, just to keep a badly thought-out election
UPNG officers suspended, Interim Council probing cash for grades claims
Two officers of the University of PNG’s information and communication technology department have been suspended while investigation into cash-for-grades allegations are conducted, according to chancellor Robert Igara.
PNG PM Marape targets Asian investors
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape believes that Papua New Guinea is an appealing investment destination for Asian investors – something he plans to stress during a conference in Hong Kong in October. Marape
Devaluation plan unfounded: Bank of PNG
The Bank of Papua New Guinea has poured cold water on speculation about a Kina devaluation, with acting governor Elizabeth Genia calling it unfounded. “There has been a lot of speculation recently on a devaluation of
‘For our people’: Umaga to give back to Samoan roots at Moana Pasifika
After putting pen to paper to take over as head coach of Moana Pasifika, former All Black Tana Umaga wants to give back to his Samoan heritage. As first revealed by Newshub last week, 50-year-old Umaga has taken charge
Jetstar adds Melbourne-Fiji route
Jetstar will start direct flights between Melbourne and Fiji (Nadi) on 16 December, before the busy Christmas holiday. Using an Airbus A321neo LR the airline will operate three weekly flights with capacity to uplift
Temperatures off the charts, but more records imminent: WMO
Global sea surface temperatures reached a record high in May, June, and July – and the warming El Niño weather pattern is only just getting started – experts at the UN World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said
80 Solomon Islands athletes bound for China
Eighty Solomon Islands athletes selected to undertake intensive training in China departed the Solomon Islands last week. The athletes will spend 90 days intensive training in China to prepare them physically and
Fiji Budget Debate: Bainivalu says tourism will be supported
“While the coalition government is making efforts to diversify the economy, we will still take care of tourism,” was the word from Assistant Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Alitia Bainivalu in
Fiji Budget Debate: Seruiratu concerned over government debt
The Leader of the Opposition in Fiji’s Parliament says the government’s budget will increase national debt from FJ$9.9 billion to $10.5 billion. Seruiratu said, “The government debt had been on the decline
Fiji budget debate: Rabuka flags possible mini budget
Fiji’s Prime Minister said his government may deliver a mini-budget six months from now in order to ensure close monitoring of the 2023–2024 Budget. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told parliament yesterday: “This
Seoul back Fukushima water plan, PIF panelist hits back at IAEA decision
South Korea says it believes Japan’s plan to release treated water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant will meet international standards, days after a United Nations atomic agency review of the
Pacific “mixed feelings” after compromise on shipping’s climate goals
Governments have agreed to an improved set of climate goals for the shipping sector after climate vulnerable Pacific nations and trade-reliant emerging economies struck a compromise at talks in London. After two weeks
Civil Society call for release of Indo-Pacific Trade Pact Text
Pacific civil society groups are calling for the release of agreements and key documents from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). A letter was sent to Trade Ministers after the May meeting of Trade
New partnership to further improve Fiji’s kava production
The Fiji National University and the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA Plus) have launched a collaborative research initiative to further improve the consistency and reliability of
Asia, Pacific flights touted in Newcastle Airport expansion
Jetting direct to Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific from Newcastle is on the horizon, but will depend on commitments from big carriers as its new international terminal rises at its Williamtown base at the end of
IMO agrees to nonbinding target to achieve net zero “around 2050”
International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states have reached a tentative deal on the thorny question of bringing shipping into line with the Paris Agreement. The newly-agreed MEPC climate roadmap calls for
RAAF team delivers critical training in Fiji
In a demonstration of dedication and flexibility, a team of instructors from the Royal Australian Air Force School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT) was deployed to Fiji to deliver critical training to
Indonesia President Joko’s Papua visit sparks fresh hope in hostage saga of NZ pilot
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo will visit the far-eastern province of Papua this week after flagging his government is working to secure the release of a New Zealand pilot detained for five months. Philip Mark
Governments set to fail to plot shipping industry course for 1.5C
A campaign by climate-vulnerable Pacific islands to raise governments’ ambition on emissions-cutting for the global shipping industry looks set to fail at talks in London. With just over a day of negotiations left at
Australian diplomats convinced ICAC to censor Pacific nations where Maguire schemed. It didn’t work.
Federal Australian officials successfully persuaded the NSW corruption watchdog to “de-identify” a group of Pacific countries mentioned in last week’s report on Gladys Berejiklian’s and Daryl Maguire’s
New Zealand pushes back on Pacific-wide free movement
New Zealand cabinet ministers have considered, but dismissed for now, a Pacific proposal for easier movement of people around the region. Pacific Islanders are subject to tougher entry conditions when they try to visit
Fukushima plan to release water into ocean approved by UN watchdog IAEA
The UN’s nuclear watchdog has approved plans by Japan to release more than 1m tonnes of water from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, despite objections from local fishing
