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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Taiwan envoy says Tuvalu ties ‘rock solid’ post-election

Lawmakers in Tuvalu have selected Feleti Teo as the Pacific island nation’s new prime minister, weeks after an election that put ties with Taiwan in focus.  Former Attorney General Teo secured the support of

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U.S. cautions Pacific nations after Kiribati gets Chinese police

The United States on Feb 26 cautioned Pacific Island nations against receiving assistance from Chinese security forces after Reuters reported that Chinese police are working in the remote atoll nation of Kiribati.

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Opinion: The politics of riots in Melanesia

The riots that erupted in the Papua New Guinea capital, Port Moresby, on January 10 have left a trail of destruction likely to have severe political ramifications. Such disturbances in Melanesia’s major cities are not

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Whose tune is sweetest in the Pacific game of musical chairs?

Soon after Australia signed the Falepili union agreement with Tuvalu at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in December, there was chatter that Nauru was next on the list for a similar deal with the Australians.

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Dropouts declining, but education challenges remain

Analysis of 2021 data on student retention and attrition of students indicates that student dropouts are gradually decreasing in the region. Data collected by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and

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Pacific women and online abuse

Fijian women are bearing the brunt of online abuse, says the country’s Online Safety Commission (OSC). The OSC says 61.44% of Fijian women experience this form of violence while men account for 38.56%. Facebook

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Briefs

American Samoa American Samoa’s government has passed a bill that will prohibit the use of polystyrene foam containers, with fines of up to US$1000 for its importing, sale, and use. In 2019, a bill was drafted to

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Movers and Shakers

Si'alei Van Toor is New Zealand's new High Commissioner to Samoa. She is the first person of Samoan heritage to take up the role and is accredited as New Zealand's Consul-General to American Samoa.  Elizabeth Genia

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The National University of Vanuatu strengthens its digital services and invests in ICT technology to support students’ education

At the National University of Vanuatu (NUV), the year 2024 brings forth a new era for students with enhanced classrooms, improved internet connectivity, and expanded access to computers and laptops, ensuring success of

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Fiji Business Briefs:  Ministry name change, medicinal cannabis movement, Down to Earth deal

Name Change for Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications The Ministry responsible for small businesses will have a name change, to acknowledge micro enterprises and their role in

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Micronesian leaders warn ‘competitive political actors’ exploiting delays in U.S. funding

Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, which occupy a militarily strategic expanse of the western Pacific, have warned that delays to U.S. financial assistance have created opportunities for “competitive

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