New Caledonia first president Jean Laques dies
The funeral has been held for Jean Leques the former long-time mayor of Noumea and president of New Caledonia. Leques died at home last Wednesday, aged 90. A service was held at the Noumea cathedral after he had
Making a point: Rosy Akbar on sexism in parliament
On the eve of the first Pacific Women Leaders meeting, Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar has revealed how she deals with sexism in parliament. “I have always spoken out to
‘The family stays together’
Micronesian members will stay in Pacific Islands Forum “I think that big dark, dark cloud that has been hanging over the Pacific has evaporated from this meeting.” That was Federated States of Micronesia President,
Pacific Islands Forum unity talks underway in Fiji
Fiji today hosts the second day of talks aimed at keeping the Pacific Islands Forum membership intact, with the leaders of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and Cook Islands in the country for meetings with their
Marshalls-U.S to hold first in-person Compact negotiation
U.S President Biden’s special envoy for Compact negotiations, Ambassador Joseph Yun, is expected to head a team of Americans who will visit the Marshall Islands next week for the first in-person negotiating session
China, PNG discuss free trade deal
China and Papua New Guinea held talks on a free-trade deal Friday, as Beijing’s foreign minister wrapped up a landmark tour of the Pacific Islands with a stop in the resource-rich nation. Papua New Guinea’s
Cook Islands, Samoa open first ever diplomatic missions in Fiji this week
The Cook Islands and Samoa open their first diplomatic missions in Suva this week. The Cook Islands High Commission will open today, and the Samoa High Commission tomorrow. Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe
Expired booster vaccines administered in Niue
A total of 51 people in Niue who took their booster vaccines on Tuesday last week have been informed that the vaccine used was expired, according to a government statement. Director General of Health and Social
Tonga’s journey to rugby World Cup 2023 to continue at Sunshine coast stadium
Tonga’s qualification battle for a place at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France will continue at Sunshine Coast Stadium next month with the Asia/Pacific Play off. Kicking off on 23 July, Tonga will face the Asia
Fijian pastor deported from Vanuatu
A Fijian Pastor has been deported Tuesday through a joint operation by the Vanuatu Immigration Services and Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), through the Vanuatu Interpol Unit, for violating COVID-19 protocols. Pastor Jone
Don’t saddle Pacific Islands with disaster debt
Pacific Islands are facing a serious debt crisis that has been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdown of the tourism industry. Research based on International Monetary Fund country reports shows
The next NRL team should come from Papua New Guinea
For all the focus in the Australian media on recent developments throughout the Pacific, it’s strange that the potential addition of a Papua New Guinea team to the Australian National Rugby League appears to have
PNG economic outlook gives businesses hope: BSP
The Standards and Poor (S&P) Global ratings has revised its outlook on Papua New Guinea from negative to stable reaffirming the trajectory of the country’s economic recovery post-Coronavirus (Covid-19). And Bank
Fiji is first Pacific country to join Indo-Pacific framework
Fiji is the first Pacific island nation and 14th country in the world to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). In a statement released Friday, U.S National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
Pacific super rugby teams end season on a high note
Although they didn’t qualify for the finals round, the Pacific super rugby teams played the last games of their maiden seasons with passion and excitement last weekend. Moana Pasifika defied the odds to claim a
Vanuatu declares a climate emergency
Vanuatu has become the first Pacific Small Island Developing State to declare it is facing a climate emergency. In a Twitter post, the leader of the opposition Ralph Regenvanu announced parliament passed a
PNG PM responds to hefty fines owed to Indonesia
The Office of the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister has been tasked to seek clarificatioover a hefty penalty notice of K105 million (US$5 million) from the Indonesian government. Responding to the fine over six illegal
Fiji AG says China proposed deal ‘simply a proposal’
Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has sought to play down concern over China’s proposed deal with 10 Pacific nations covering policing, security and communications. Former Kiribati president Anote Tong
Data, skills and a ‘shared vision’ needed to better manage risk
The Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat says to better manage risk, access to robust and contextualised data that can be used to make decisions is needed. Speaking at this week’s
FSM President rejects China joint communique plan
China will seek a region-wide deal with almost a dozen Pacific islands covering policing, security and data communications cooperation when Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts a meeting in Fiji next week, documents seen by
Farmers need to be part of disaster risk talks
At risk of ‘unintended effects’ of climate policies: World Farmers Organisation Farmers could be hurt by the very actions that are meant to help them if they are not in the room when disaster risk reduction
Tuvalu mourns deputy prime minister
Tuvalu’s acting prime minister Seve Paeniu says his country is mourning the loss of an important and influential figure after its deputy prime minister Alapati Taupo died while attending a community event on
Tonga MPs granted stay of unseating
Two Tongan Cabinet Ministers, who were found to have committed bribery in the lead up to the November 2021 Tonga General Election, have been granted a stay of execution in their judgments, until their appeal is heard