Opinion: Yes, there are Chinese police in Fiji. But that’s none of Australia’s business

Sunday’s episode of 60 Minutes revealed a fascinating tension within the Fijian government about whether to embrace a 2011 agreement signed with the Chinese government that allows Fijian police officers to receive

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Nauruan president starts six-day China visit

Nauru President David Adeang arrived in Beijing on Sunday, embarking on a six-day state visit to China from Sunday to 29 March.   It marks the first visit by a Nauruan president after the two countries resumed

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Where is USP heading amid a gathering storm?

In February 2021, the University of the South Pacific (USP) was plunged into crisis when Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia was unceremoniously thrown out of Fiji following a middle-of-the-night raid on his campus

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Is the Pacific moving fast enough on Kava protection?

Pacific Island nations are considering implementing Geographical Indication (GI) protections for kava to safeguard its reputation and uniqueness. This move aims to capitalise on the growing global demand for kava and

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Whispers

Nauru-Fiji-TuvaluWhen Nauru did the flip on Taiwan in February, it sent the temperature soaring in Canberra as all eyes turned towards the upcoming election in Tuvalu, to see whether a pro- or anti-Taiwan candidate

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Human Rights Defenders build regional protection strategy

Pacific human rights defenders are building a regional protection strategy in the face of challenges ranging from inadequate judicial systems to colonial-era laws and heavy-handed law enforcement. Office of the United

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Briefs

Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas A special committee has been formed to look into the unpaid utility bills of the government of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, which has now ballooned to a whopping

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Movers and Shakers

The Pacific Community (SPC) has appointed Elsie Fukofuka as its Regional Director, Polynesia, stationed at its regional office in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tuvalu’s new Prime Minister, Feleti Teo has named key ministerial

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Economist outlines six problems affecting PNG

Westpac economist Justin Smirk says there are six problems affecting the national economy and businesses in Papua New Guinea which are: shortage of expertise and skills, foreign exchange, security, unreliable utilities,

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IMO to open regional office in Fiji to serve the Pacific

International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will open its seventh Regional Presence Office, in Suva, Fiji, to serve countries and territories in the Pacific Islands region. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and

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Pacific youth to #SwipeUp4Change

Young climate activists and content creators from the Pacific are taking steps to harness the power of social media to further drive climate action in the region. Twenty young people are in Suva for a week-long workshop

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Tuvalu’s new PM says democracy and loyalty are reasons for preferring Taiwan over Beijing

The new prime minister in the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu said on Friday his country shares democratic values with Taiwan and reaffirmed that his government would maintain diplomatic ties with Taipei, ruling out a

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