Whispers

Meth concerns downplayed Fiji Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho denies Fiji’s meth problem is getting out of control. The Commissioner was responding to criticisms by opposition MP, Pio Tikoduadua,

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The Pacific at the UN: climate and Japan wastewater

Now it’s time for U.S. talks The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General, Henry Puna, says Pacific leaders stood strong at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA77) in New York, raising issues

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Briefs

American Samoa American Samoa has received two federal grants for its criminal justice system. The Byrne Grant – totalling US$467,587 – is to aid court efforts and crime prevention programs within the territory. The

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Movers and Shakers

Sen. Aren B. Palik has been sworn in as the Federated States of Micronesia's vice president, succeeding Yosiwo George who passed away last month. Palik was the president of the Pacific Islands Development Bank, a

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First ‘Triple-Dip’ La Niña of the century declared

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has declared the first “Triple-Dip” La Niña of the century with stronger winds, higher sea-levels and warmer oceans as possible impacts of the event. This is

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Exercise Cartwheel: Largest Pacific military exercise in decades

A military exercise in Fiji involving the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand ends this week as the traditional allies counter China’s growing influence in the region. The 11-day Exercise Cartwheel in

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Washington and Australia should focus on climate change, says Pacific leaders

Washington should accept Pacific Island priorities for the region, making climate change – not superpower competition – the most urgent security task, the region’s leaders said in Hawaii, ahead of a

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Communications at the heart of the Red Cross response

It was a time to reflect, prepare, support, and respond for the Pacific National Red Cross Societies as they met face-to-face for the first time since COVID for five days in Nadi this month. The Head of the

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LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

The Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) engaged with local and international construction businesses and suppliers in Honiara yesterday with an industry briefing about the Australian-funded economic

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Steady progress for Pacific primary education: SPC

Findings from the Pacific’s largest education assessment on literacy and numeracy (PILNA) for years 4 & 6 suggests that countries are “not yet ready to cope with remote learning.” PILNA 2021 findings released

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Rugby Unions meet in Fiji to plan post COVID

Over 24 representatives from member rugby unions across the Pacific, including Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Kiribati are attending a combined 5 day World Rugby and

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Fisheries important to recover Pacific economies

Pacific Fisheries Ministers have identified maximising value from their fisheries as key to supporting the economic recovery from COVID-19. This was raised by delegates at the annual 19th Forum Fisheries Committee

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