Ouvea – looking back, looking forward
By Nic Maclellan in Fayaoue, Ouvea, New Caledonia My legs haven’t seen much sun after a long Melbourne winter. So it’s always dangerous to end up on an atoll like Iaai (Ouvea), one of four making up New
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Billboard attacked again
BY Netani Rika TWO weeks into the election period and despite police investigations, vandals continue to attack billboards bearing the image of Fiji’s Prime Minister, Rear-Admiral Frank Bainimarama. On Monday
Tachiiri heads ADB in Fiji
BY ADB MEDIA The Asian Development Bank has appointed its new Regional Director for the Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji. Masayuki Tachiiri will serve as theADB’s focal point for
Marching and singing for independence
By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia A small but vibrant group of women marched through the streets of downtown Noumea on Saturday, calling for a ‘Yes’ vote in New Caledonia’s referendum on
Be neutral, Fiji University warns staff
BY Anish Chand Fiji National University staff have been told that they must be politically neutral in the lead-up to the 2018 general election. In a message to all staff, Vice Chancellor Nigel Healey says being a public
Boundaries for election observers
BY Anish Chand The Multinational Observer Group (MOG) in Fiji’s 14 November general elections will be required to seek a feedback from the Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office before publishing any
Billboard attacks continue
BY Netani Rika VANDALS have mounted a third attack on Fijian Prime Minister Rear-Admiral Frank Bainimsrama’s election billboards. Overnight the vandals hurled mud at a billboard at Vugalei between Suva and Lami.
Royal visit itinerary unveiled
BY Anish Chand The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Suva and unveil a statue of SAS’ hero Talaiasi Labalaba in Nadi as among their engagements while in Fiji for
Billboard probe begins
By Samisoni Pareti Police have begun an investigation into the incident overnight in which a billboard of the ruling Fiji First Party was vandalised. IB has established that police investigators called on several
Vandals strike at FFP
BY Netani Rika VANDALS have defaced a billboard bearing the face of Fiji’s Prime Minister, Rear Admiral Frank Baimimarama. The billboard at Vugalei between Suva and Lami was attacked last night. Close inspection
Kiribati fishermen rescued
By Samisoni Pareti Two i-Kiribati men are thanking their lucky stars for their successful rescue after being adrift in a small boat in open waters for four straight days. Reports from Tarawa – the capital of Kiribati
Naivalurua for politics
By Netani Rika FOREIGN Affairs Permanent Secretary, Brigadier Ioane Naivalurua, is expected to stand for Parliament on a Fiji First ticket. Naivalurua will replace Defence Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, who will not
Assistant Minister forced to resign
BY Netani Rika Fiji’s Assistant Environment Minister has been forced to resign after investigations into a family company. Lorna Eden’s resignation was announced in a statement by the office of Prime
Forum poses climate and security as central concerns
By Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan, at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru Pacific leaders face a growing and complex agenda, in the era of Trump, Brexit and rising Chinese economic power. That may explain
Stormy Forum
Islands Business has been sent a video of the clash at the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Nauru yesterday between Forum chair and President of Nauru, Baron Waqa and a member of the Chinese delegation. The
Stormy Forum
Islands Business has been sent a video of the clash at the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Nauru yesterday between Forum chair and President of Nauru, Baron Waqa and a member of the Chinese delegation. The
GCF funds for Nauru port
By Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru Like other Pacific island nations, Nauru is facing significant climate challenges. Last October, the Micronesian nation
GCF funds for Nauru port
By Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru Like other Pacific island nations, Nauru is facing significant climate challenges. Last October, the Micronesian nation
Securing maritime boundaries
By Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan, at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru Many Pacific island states are really large ocean states, with vast Exclusive Economic Zones. As local enterprises and overseas
Rolling protests in West Papua
BY NETANI RIKA A SERIES of protests has taken place in West Papua in support of Vanuatu’s plan to address human rights abuse by Indonesia. The protests in Sentani and Jayapura led to some 80 arrests by
Chinese walkout
By Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan, at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru China’s representative to today’s partner dialogue at the Pacific Islands Forum stormed out of the meeting, after
Chinese walkout
By Islands Business correspondent Nic Maclellan, at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru China’s representative to today’s partner dialogue at the Pacific Islands Forum stormed out of the meeting, after
Arrests at West Papua Protest
BY Netani Rika INDONESIAN security forces have arrested 50 protesters who want human rights abuses in West Papua to be addressed by Pacific leaders.? The protest in Sentani called on leaders at the