Australian Coalition to oppose Pacific visa lottery
The Australian federal opposition has ruled out backing a new Pacific visa lottery scheme, labelling it as arbitrary and patronising to the Pacific community at home and abroad. Last month, the government announced
Compact impact aid expiring this year but discussion remains in the air
Washington has completed its negotiations with the freely associated states, pledging the renewal of U.S. economic provisions under the Compacts of Free Association. Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the
Forum reunited, now to work
The next Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Baron Waqa says, “The Forum is still developing in its form, regionalism and all these plans to strengthen and unite members and I think what’s going on at
Calls for USP to return to glory days
Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy, Professor Biman Prasad, says he expects the University of the South Pacific to exercise its academic freedom and role as a regional leader now that relations have
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s criminal justice planning agency has been awarded US$431,794 in federal funds for crisis intervention and drug control efforts. Earlier this month, Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs,
New Pacific air route lands in Palau
There is excitement in the air in Palau as the first flight of a weekly service from Australia kicks off. Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr said flights connecting Brisbane to Palau through PNG began on
Micronesian nations join UN’s demand for Russia to leave Ukraine
Micronesian nations have joined the international community in demanding Russia’s immediate retreat from Ukraine, one year after Moscow’s invasion which resulted in a protracted war that left tens of
Kiribati returns to Forum, Nauru’s Waqa next Secretary General
Pacific leaders prayed together, ate together and by the end of a long retreat today, saw Kiribati’s full return to the Pacific Islands Forum and a much larger role for its Micronesian members. Former Nauru President
We hope to co-host 3rd India Pacific Cooperation Forum: Jaishankar
India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday said India hopes to co-host the third summit of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in the coming months. “We hope to
Award-winning play takes NZ Fringe on Pacific waka voyage
Award-winning theatre show My Grandfather is a Canoe is about to take NZ Fringe audiences on a voyage around the Pacific. On stage at the Hannah Playhouse on February 24-26, the show won five awards at the Dunedin and
Australia announces 3,000 visas for Pacific workers
A new visa will allow up to 3,000 people from the Pacific region to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year, under a scheme modelled on a New Zealand immigration programme. The Pacific Engagement Visa has
