Ban on journalist during PNG visit by Indonesia’s Prabowo condemned

Papua New Guinea’s media council has condemned as “concerning” and “shameful” the exclusion of a BenarNews journalist from media events during a visit by Indonesia’s President-elect to the capital Port

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Another lay day called for WSL’s Fiji Pro

The race to lock away a World Surf League finals berth will have to wait a little bit longer after the Fiji Pro was put on hold for a second consecutive day. Poor conditions convinced organisers to call a lay day for

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Fiji Airways signs lease agreement for three ATR 72-600s

Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has announced the successful execution of a lease agreement for three ATR 72-600 aircraft with Fiji Airways. The aircraft are from NAC’s orderbook with ATR. Fiji Airways, the national

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Pacific Civil Society Forum to launch during 53rd Leaders Meeting

The Pacific Civil Society Forum will host a Pacific People’s Forum alongside the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga from 26 – 30 August, with its theme “Pikipiki Hama Kae Vaevae Manava.”.

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The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting: Why does it matter?

The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM53) kicks off next week in Nukualofa, and it has some Tongans asking what is its purpose, and what are the benefits of this annual event? Director for Governance and

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Forum delays mission to New Caledonia, after diplomatic wrangling 

The Pacific Islands Forum has postponed a planned monitoring mission to New Caledonia.  The delegation, involving three prime ministers, had intended to visit the French Pacific dependency before next week’s

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Legal Starlink users remain online in Samoa

The Samoa regulator has announced that legal Starlink users in Samoa will continue to have access to their services, as confirmed by SpaceX and will not be affected by the temporary cut-off scheduled for 21 August. 

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UN experts alarmed by situation of Kanak indigenous peoples in the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia

The French Parliament adopted a bill on 14 May 2024 that dismantles one of the cornerstones of the Nouméa Accord by unfreezing the electoral body in New Caledonia, a non-self-governing territory under French

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China promises to help Fiji tackle climate change as Beijing seeks greater Pacific role

China has pledged to support Fiji’s development in a world beset with “turmoil” and help tackle the impact of climate change during Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit to Beijing, reports the South China

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UN Secretary-General Guterres to start Pacific swing

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is making his first visit to the Pacific in five years, taking in Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga and East Timor. The centrepiece of Guterres’ mission will be the

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Kiribati closes border to diplomats until 2025

Kiribati has banned foreign diplomatic visits until 2025 due to national elections in a move that has left officials scrambling for more information. A letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration sent to

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Kiribati elections results: 58 percent turnout and a record five women elected into 45-seat parliament

A record five female MPs have been elected into the Kiribati parliament, the Maneaba ni Maungatabo, which is one more than the last polls, while 14 sitting MPs have lost their seats in this year’s election. The

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39 runs scored from one over as Samoa batter breaks international record

History was created at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifier A event on Tuesday as Samoan batter Darius Visser helped break the record for most runs from one over of a men’s

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Australian partnership to strengthen Pacific football

A new partnership will see Australian and Pacific national teams play regular international matches. The Australian Government and Football Australia have signed a new four-year investment through the PacificAus Sports

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Kiribati, Niue and Tuvalu struggle to keep up with high cost of living

Purchasing basic commodities, such as food, has been a big challenge for residents of Kiribati, Niue and Tuvalu, which are most affected by global inflation, according to the Asian Development Bank’s latest economic

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Kiribati elections: Voters wait for final results

Voters in Kiribati are awaiting the final results of the runoff round of elections on Monday.  Twenty-five of the 45 parliamentary seats were confirmed in the first round on Wednesday last week, with those candidates

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New Caledonia requests Australian aid for riot rebuild

New Caledonia is looking to Australia for aid to help rebuild its capital city after deadly riots.  The French territory was marred by civil unrest and riots that left 10 dead in May after controversial voting reforms

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Papua independence protestors seek papal intervention after clashes with Indonesian forces

Indonesian security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with protestors marking the 62nd anniversary of a UN agreement that paved the way for Jakarta’s annexation of the Papua region.   At least one

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PRF expresses grave concerns following discovery of needles and syringes amidst rising drug cases

PRF Expresses Grave Concerns Following Discovery of Needles and Syringes Amidst Rising Drug Cases Amidst the rise in drug cases in Fiji, Pacific Recycling Foundation is issuing an urgent appeal, expressing deep concern

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Chair of PNG NRL bid hoping for announcement by end of 2024

Papua New Guinea’s bid to have a team in Australia’s National Rugby League will “hopefully” be confirmed by the end of this year, bid chairman Wapu Sonk has told the 2024 Business Advantage PNG Investment

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Vanuatu to bid for 2031 Pacific Games

Vanuatu plans to bid to host the 2031 Pacific Games in Port Vila, with a proposal expected by the end of the year. A high-profile government delegation is expected to travel to Palau to formally submit the bid, aiming

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Vanimo prepares for Pope’s Visit, Panning gold to assist with preparations

Faithful Catholics and citizens in Vanimo, Sandaun Province are transforming the town in preparation for the Pope’s visit to the Papua New Guinea province next month. The preparations in the province is being led by

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Kiribati poll results show Maamau retains parliamentary seat

Kiribati’s President retained his parliamentary seat in a landslide, according to the first results on Thursday of an election that hinged on worries about the cost of living, rising sea levels and closer ties

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Elon Musk invited to Pacific Island Leaders meeting amid Tonga’s internet crisis

Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and CEO of Tesla, has been invited to attend the 53rd Pacific Island Leaders Meeting, scheduled from 26-30 August, 2024. The invitation reportedly comes from the Tongan government,

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