Opinion: Tonga’s PM Hu’akavameiliku throws in the towel

In a highly anticipated session of the Tongan parliament to debate and vote on the second vote of no confidence (VONC) scheduled for Monday 9th December, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku surprised

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Australia gains effective veto over Nauru security pact

Australia will get an effective veto right over Nauru entering a security agreement with another country under a pact that will prop up the Pacific nation’s budget. AAP reports that the two countries will have to

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Panguna human rights report fuels Bougainville demands for Rio Tinto-funded mine clean-up

The first large-scale environmental impact assessment of Rio Tinto’s abandoned Panguna mine in Papua New Guinea has found local communities face life-threatening risks from its legacy. The independent study was

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Albanese wants to “China-proof” the Pacific, but Nauru is driving a hard bargain

The Albanese government hopes to end the year with a major foreign policy victory by signing a landmark pact with Nauru aimed at preventing China from gaining a security foothold in the Pacific. The Sydney Morning

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USP offers flexible, quality education across the region

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is one of the biggest multi-mode universities in the Commonwealth, offering face-to-face, blended and online learning options for students. The 2024 Global Education Monitoring

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SAFE Pacific: Empowering Small Island Nations for Safer and Stronger Trade

Small ACP (African, Caribbean, Pacific) states boast a rich diversity of cultures and resources, giving them significant potential for greater trade and market opportunities. International trade plays a crucial role in

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Renewable roundup

While global targets on ensuring access to affordable, reliable energy for all under the Sustainable Development Goals are unlikely to be met by 2030, take-up of renewables is on track. And while a number of Pacific

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Whispers

Priceless fence There’s a fence being built around a Pacific institute of learning. Students and staff raised FJ$170,000 to build the fence two years ago. Only last month did work on this barrier actually begin. News

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Briefs

American Samoa A runoff election is set for the American Samoa gubernatorial race after no candidate secured the required 50% majority. The team of Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Pulu Ae Ae Jr led with 42.4% of votes (4284),

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Vanuatu to launch ICJ hearings on climate and human right

It began five years ago, as an exercise amongst law students at the Emalus campus of the University of the South Pacific in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Now, in the Netherlands, the Republic of Vanuatu will open presentations

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Building Resilience Together: Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction in the Pacific

As global debates on climate finance, loss and damage and urgent climate action continued at the COP29 Climate Talks, the Pacific region remains on the frontlines of climate change. For Pacific communities, climate

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EU Parliament votes to Permanently end Vanuatu’s Schengen Visa waiver

The European Parliament has voted 62-1, with two abstentions, to end Vanuatu’s visa-free access to the Schengen Area. Parliament Rapporteur Paulo Cunha notes this marks “the first time we have removed a third

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