Ocean miner completes controversial Pacific trials
The Canadian miner, the Metals Company, has announced the completion of a controversial deep sea bed mining trial in the Pacific. The trial was approved by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in September much to
Nauru laments failure from “those with real power”
Nauru, one of the Pacific countries at the forefront of the climate crisis, has lamented the failure of what they describe as “people with real power” to avert the climate crisis. Speaking during the resumed
Pacific groups welcome call to ban deep sea mining
The Pacific Blue Line collective has welcomed the call by France for a ban on deep sea mining, a call that Pacific civil society groups and movements have been pushing for since 2012. French President Emmanuel Macron
Journey to COP27: Pacific Women negotiators state their case for 1.5 world
Pacific women negotiators at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC COP) are adamant about what they want to come from COP27 in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Australia, NZ ministers visiting Pacific neighbours this week
It has been another big week for high level visits from Australia and New Zealand into the region, with PNG, Nauru, Marshall Islands and Cook Islands all receiving ministerial-level visits. Australia’s deputy Prime
Major powers question Marshall Islands nuclear legacy bid
Nuclear powers have criticised an effort led by the Marshall Islands at the United Nations to seek help on dealing with the consequences of nuclear testing, sources following the talks involving countries including the
Nauru cabinet sworn into office
Nauru’s newly-elected cabinet ministers have been sworn into office for the next three years. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony today, Russ Joseph Kun, Nauru’s new president who gained his seat unopposed,
Deep Sea Mining pilot gets go ahead
Piloting of deep sea mining by the Metals Company has been given the green light by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This follows the ISA’s review of an environmental impact statement (EIS) and environmental
Russ Kun elected unopposed as Nauru president
Russ Kun is the newly elected president of Nauru, nominated unopposed in the inaugural sitting of the 24th Parliament, Wednesday. Marcus Stephen was re-elected as the Speaker of Parliament and former president Lionel
Nauru elects new parliament
Nauru president Lionel Aingimea is among the members of parliament who have been re-elected in the weekend poll. However, declared results show that two former presidents, Baron Waqa and Ludwig Scotty, failed to win any
Oceania mourns passing of Queen Elizabeth II
Pacific leaders to attend state funeral Oceania is mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch at age 96. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna said: “Her impact
Nauru announces Sept 24 election date
The people of Nauru will vote for their national government on September 24. The Nauru Electoral Commission (NEC) says candidates’ nominations open at 9 am on September 4 and close on September 10 at 5 pm.
Nauru Court of Appeal hears first case since 2018
The Nauru Court of Appeal opened Monday and heard its first case in several years, Several criminal and civil appeals are to follow over the next fortnight, with a further session of two weeks allocated to consider
Canstruct loses lucrative Nauru offshore processing contract
Canstruct has lost the lucrative contract to run Australia’s offshore immigration regime on Nauru with the Brisbane firm to be replaced by a U.S.-headquartered private prisons operator that has a controversial past.
Nauru Police embarks on UN Mission in South Sudan
The first Nauru police to take part in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan departed last month (July 17), the Nauru Government says. Superintendent Imran Scotty, Sergeant Drusky Dabadauw and Senior
Nauru first COVID death; 10 active cases in Niue
Nauru has recorded its first death of COVID-19 as the country experiences its first community outbreak, while there are now 10 community cases in Niue. Nauru President Lionel Aingimea has expressed his condolences and
Nauru reports over 800 COVID cases
Nauru has reported an increase of 861 active cases of COVID-19 with 191 new cases and 4,597 tests conducted as of Wednesday June 22, 2022. In a statement released Thursday, Nauru health authorities have confirmed
COVID on the rise in Nauru
Nauru, one of the world’s last COVID-free nations, reported its first COVID community transmission case last Thursday. And President Lionel Aingimea in a statement yesterday said the total number of positive cases
Australia recommits to Nauru ‘regional processing centre’
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has recommitted to maintaining the regional processing centre on Nauru, which accounts for more than half of the island country’s budget. Revenue from the processing centre
Citizens’ voices needed on disaster risk reduction
Nauru’s delegate to this week’s Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction meeting says the needs of citizens needs to be heard in such gatherings. Roy Denton Harris, who is Nauru’s Secretary for National
Nauru records first COVID cases
Nauru's President Lionel Aingimea has announced the first two COVID-19 cases in Nauru, and says there is no cause for
Refugee processing in PNG to end
Australia and Papua New Guinea have announced the closure of Canberra’s offshore refugee processing program by the end of this year, leaving responsibility for the remaining asylum seekers and refugees to Port
Refugee processing in PNG to end
By Nic Maclellan Australia and Papua New Guinea have announced the closure of Canberra’s offshore refugee processing program by the end of this year, leaving responsibility for the remaining asylum seekers and
