Briefs

American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s Department of Health says it will only allow school aged children who are vaccinated to attend school. This as neighbouring Samoa monitors several children suspected to have measles. The

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EIB to deepen Pacific footprint

The newly opened European Investment Bank office in Suva will build on pipeline projects, including a planned hydropower plant in Fiji, a major water and sanitation project in Timor-Leste, rehabilitation and greening of

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Movers and Shakers

Tonga's parliamentary Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, is the first Pacific Islander to be elected into the board of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Forum of Young Parliamentarians. Fakafanua said his election guarantees

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Micronesian Games delayed due to issues with facilities

The Micronesian Games Council said it’s delaying the 10th Micronesian Games in Majuro, Marshall Islands due to the unreadiness of the host islands’ sports facilities. It’s the second time the Games

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South Pacific eyes China trade deal

China and a group of South Pacific island countries could start talks this year toward their first formal trade agreement, according to an official from a regional network of nations.  But while such talks could

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Shortage of fuel in Banaba

There has been a shortage of fuel on the island of Banaba for more than five months now. A Community Worker on the island Banian Burenimoone reports to Radio Kiribati News, the shortage has affected the income

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Pacific nations explore opportunities to push for fossil fuel phase out

A yes vote at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month to Vanuatu’s request for Advisory Opinion (AO) from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of States in respect of climate

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55 countries face a health worker crunch linked to COVID-19: WHO

No less than 55 countries are struggling with serious health worker shortages as they continue to seek better paid opportunities in wealthier nations that have stepped up efforts to recruit them amid the COVID-19

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Australia Foreign Minister Wong backing Waqa as PIF secretary general

Australia will stand behind Baron Waqa, the controversial pick as Pacific Islands Forum leader, despite his chequered record as Nauru president. The 63-year-old has been nominated by Micronesian nations to be the next

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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

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Marape: Chinese stability ensures global economy has a stable outlook

Beijing’s newly appointed special envoy to the Pacific has underlined China’s investment in infrastructure during his first official trip to the region, as Australia and the United States step up efforts to keep

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Sea of Western flags in Oceania?

In his recently published article “Sea of many flags”, the Head of the ANU National Security College Rory Medcalf makes the case for why Pacific Island states should regard the deep regional involvement of a Western

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