Suidani ousted from post ‘after turning down Chinese bribes’

Daniel Suidani, an outspoken critic of the Solomon Islands’ closer ties with China, was ousted as premier of Malaita in early February after refusing “huge” bribes from Chinese businesses who threatened to have

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U.S. set to open new embassy in Tonga this month

The United States is on track to open a new embassy in Tonga this month, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said on Tuesday, part of efforts to step up its diplomatic presence in the Pacific region to counter China.

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PNG hopes to sign defence agreement during Biden visit

Papua New Guinea hopes to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the United States during President Joe Biden’s stop over in the Pacific island nation this month. Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape

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MSG Marks 35th Anniversary: Melanesia, Storian blo Yumi

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has evolved substantially from its low-key inception way back in 1988, reaching 35 years of existence this year on the 14th of March. From its humble beginnings as a pressure group

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Movers and Shakers

Miriam Kataunati of the Kiribati Meteorological Service (KMS) is the country’s first female Oceanographer. A graduate of the University of Fiji in Environmental Science, she started work at KMS as an Acting Assistant

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Opinion: Strengthening Pacific regionalism for robust globalisation

Pacific Islands Forum leaders "renewed their collective support for the ‘Leaders’ Commitments to 2050" as articulated in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent when they met in Nadi in February. They also

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WTO fisheries agreement awaits ratification

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) says members need to move faster on ratifying a fisheries agreement that would ban subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.  “We need

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Whispers

Questions over ‘Emerald Bay’ Fresh from their campaign to ‘Save the Tiri’ in Nasese, Suva from tourism development, environmental campaigners are airing concerns over another development close to the capital.

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Briefs

American SamoaAmerican Samoa has issued a public health emergency after an outbreak of measles has spread across the U.S. territory.  Dr Scott Anesi, the department’s lead epidemiologist, said 31 suspected cases

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U.S. President Joe Biden to visit PNG on his way to Australia

Planning is underway for United States President Joe Biden to make a historic visit to Papua New Guinea on his way to Australia next month as the U.S. continues to ramp up its diplomatic push in the Pacific. PNG and

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In New Caledonia, Australia urges Pacific island unity amid China, U.S competition

Australia’s foreign minister urged Pacific island countries on Thursday to stay united in the face of great power competition as she visited New Caledonia, where the president raised concerns about

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Questions about Australian aid to fund the 2023 Pacific Games

The 2023 Pacific Games will be held in Solomon Islands at the end of the year. Australia’s support for the games of $17 million (US$11.4 million) was announced by the Minister for International Development and the

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