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
Emmanuel Tjibaou elected as Union Calédonienne president
Kanak cultural leader Emmanuel Tjibaou has been elected as president of Union Calédonienne, the oldest and largest political party in New Caledonia. His election came at the 43rd Union Calédonienne congress, held last
EU Parliament votes to Permanently end Vanuatu’s Schengen Visa waiver
The European Parliament has voted 62-1, with two abstentions, to end Vanuatu’s visa-free access to the Schengen Area. Parliament Rapporteur Paulo Cunha notes this marks “the first time we have removed a third
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
Junk cars becoming environmental concern in Samoa
The number of junk vehicles in Samoa’s ‘vehicle graveyards’ is growing posing an environmental concern with the absence of policies and laws to deal with the problem. The Samoa Observer reports that
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.
China returns to Pacific with aid and influence push, report shows
China has regained its place as the second-biggest bilateral donor to the Pacific Islands, displacing the United States and targeting its spending to win influence, a Lowy Institute report on aid to the region found.
Solomon Islands loses USD$15.1 million in productivity due to violence
A UN Women costing study shows that Solomon Islands has lost approximately USD$15.1 million in the annual productivity of women in the formal sector due to violence in 2021. This accounts for 1% of the country’s gross
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
Palau’s Pres Whipps to retain cabinet
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has announced plans to retain his current CabinetMinisters in his upcoming administration, with Vice President-elect Raynold “Arnold”Oilouch slated to lead the Ministry of
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
Samoa’s Tulsi Gabbard heads U.S. intelligence
United States President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former congresswoman and Samoan, Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of National
Slavery ship masts reminder of horrors of slavery in the Pacific
The installation, Cry of the Stolen People, tells part of the little-known history of “blackbirding”, of how Peruvian slave ships kidnapped more than 250
Palau says China ICBM test a ‘direct threat’, seeks U.S Patriot missile system
Palau’s re-elected President Surangel Whipps said on Tuesday he may ask the United States for a Patriot missile defence system, citing a recent Chinese missile
COP29: Pacific climate finance needs top $2billion
Economic modelling released at the COP29 climate conference on Thursday revealed Pacific nations need at least US$1.5 billion (AUD$2.3 billion) per year in climate