Opinion: Putting the Case Forward for Pacific Integration

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders identified and discussed the various elements that could constitute the 2050 Strategy at their annual meeting in Funafuti, Tuvalu in August 2019. They then tasked the Pacific Islands

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Pacific fisheries observers deployment to resume in January 2023

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) said that it will lift the moratorium on the fisheries observer coverage in the region by January 2023. In a Circular Memo in June, WCPFC stated that the

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Opinion: Solomon Islands, a blueprint to stop a cycle of strife

Allowing more power for the provinces under a decentralised system of governance will be a step towards stability. In November last year, Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara erupted into three days of riots, resulting in

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Kiribati govt labels NZ judges ‘very biased’ over Lambourne case

Three New Zealand judges have been branded “very biased” by the Kiribati government, after a dramatic attempt to deport a fellow judge failed. In July, Kiribati suspended Judge Bill Hastings​, a New Zealand judge

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China to build PNG anti-narcotics lab to test drugs

The Chinese government has pledged to build a national anti-narcotics laboratory in the country to boost the capability of the Royal PNG Constabulary amidst growing transnational organised criminal activities in the

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Kiribati on Lambourne deportation attempt

The Government of Kiribati has confirmed that a joint operation between Immigration and Police on Thursday morning was carried out to execute a deportation order against David Lambourne. A statement released by the

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Attempts to deport Kiribati High Court justice lead to airport stand-off

Attempts to deport a Kiribati High Court judge back to Australia have led to a lengthy airport stand-off, with Justice David Lambourne having since been placed in immigration detention.

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Three Tongan Cabinet Ministers lose appeal, elections void

Three Tongan Cabinet Ministers have lost their appeals against court decisions that declared their election results void. Eight judgments from a Special Court of Appeal session, held last month, were released late

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U.S. to host Pacific island summit: Sherman

United States President Joe Biden will host Pacific island leaders at the White House in September, a senior American diplomat said on Saturday, deepening a regional charm offensive to counter growing Chinese influence.

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Niue: ‘Dramatic rise’ in COVID community cases

Community cases of COVID-19 in Niue have jumped from four to 21 since the first cases were reported last Thursday.  Auckland University Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences associate dean Pacific Sir Colin

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Remembering Dr Majorie Crocombe: Puna

Across the Pacific, from the smallest atolls to the busiest cities, from the sleepy silences to the never-ending online chat streams, wherever there is an educated or Pacific-facing leader, thinker or creative, there is

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First COVID outbreak in FSM ‘causing alarm’

Micronesia’s first outbreak of COVID-19 grew in one week to more than 1,000 cases by Tuesday, causing alarm in the Pacific island nation.  Last week, FSM became possibly the final nation in the world with a

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