Opinion: As Western banks leave the Pacific, a new player emerges

Australian banks are gradually withdrawing from the Pacific Islands, leaving the region at risk of being totally disconnected from the global banking system. Bendigo Bank is exiting Nauru, while Westpac has floated

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Forum delays mission to New Caledonia, after diplomatic wrangling 

The Pacific Islands Forum has postponed a planned monitoring mission to New Caledonia.  The delegation, involving three prime ministers, had intended to visit the French Pacific dependency before next week’s

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China promises to help Fiji tackle climate change as Beijing seeks greater Pacific role

China has pledged to support Fiji’s development in a world beset with “turmoil” and help tackle the impact of climate change during Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit to Beijing, reports the South China

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Australian partnership to strengthen Pacific football

A new partnership will see Australian and Pacific national teams play regular international matches. The Australian Government and Football Australia have signed a new four-year investment through the PacificAus Sports

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New Caledonia requests Australian aid for riot rebuild

New Caledonia is looking to Australia for aid to help rebuild its capital city after deadly riots.  The French territory was marred by civil unrest and riots that left 10 dead in May after controversial voting reforms

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Mounting discord at USP

Academics warn of 'toxic' atmosphere damaging the region's largest university Growing discord within the ranks of the University of the South Pacific ( USP ) escalated further this month with the summary dismissal of a

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Pacific urges the IMO to act on climate

In another example of global leadership on climate action, six Pacific Island members of the International Maritime Organization are urging the organisation to adopt a universal levy on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

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Pacific ports at a crossroads

Enhancing climate resilience and cybersecurity The Pacific region stands at a pivotal point in its quest to strengthen maritime infrastructure against climate change and bolster cybersecurity measures. As rising sea

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Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa: What’s Next?

On August 2, ballots for the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) closed for eight participating countries, with the exception of the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau who each received a two-week extension. Whether

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Briefs

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Star Marianas Air, a commuter airline that provides passenger and air cargo service in the Northern Marianas, plans to terminate its air services to these locations effective

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Movers and Shakers

New Zealand’s first female Professor of Law of Pacific origin, and a former Supreme Court Justice from Samoa, Professor Tafaoimalo Tologata Leilani Tuala-Warren, has been appointed to lead the Te Piringa Faculty of

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Vanuatu to bid for 2031 Pacific Games

Vanuatu plans to bid to host the 2031 Pacific Games in Port Vila, with a proposal expected by the end of the year. A high-profile government delegation is expected to travel to Palau to formally submit the bid, aiming

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