Bill to fund U.S. Government includes money to counter China in Pacific
U.S. congressional negotiators released a bill Sunday that would fund key parts of the government through the rest of the fiscal year, which began in October 2023. Among provisions in the appropriations package are
Secrets in the canopy: scientists discover 8 striking new bee species in the Pacific
After a decade searching for new species of bees in forests of the Pacific Islands, all we had to do was look up. We soon found eight new species of masked bees in the forest canopy: six in Fiji, one in French
Opinion: What can the Pacific learn from the EU Parliament vote against Norway’s decision to advance deep-sea mining
On February the 7th, the European Union (EU) Parliament voted against Norway’s recent decision to advance deep-sea mining in the Arctic by reaffirming its moratorium position and called for the European Commission and
Niue facing more power rationing
The Niue government says in recent weeks, power use has surged by up a third and more rationing is possible. Issues with the generators which left the island without power for a week were fully overcome by last
Pacific Island economies show resilience amidst challenges
A new report by ANZ Research says there are challenges ahead for six Pacific Island countries in sustaining the momentum of economic growth. In the bank’s latest Pacific Economic Outlook, economists Kishti Sen and Tom
Australian Defence Force mulls allowing Pacific islanders to serve amid recruitment drive
In a bid to bolster the ranks of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), various recruitment methods are under consideration, with a focus on potentially permitting residents from Pacific nations to join the force. Defence
Small Island, Big Song
What's next for this globe-spanning project? It is a heartfelt embodying of the unadulterated musical essence of the “small islands” – the people at the frontline of the Climate Crisis - capturing the cultural
Opinion: Penny Wong dives deep into the audacity of the Oceanic Pacific
Nurturing relationships is paramount to break down unequal power dynamics – especially in working for women rights. By ‘Ofa-ki-Levuka (‘Ofa) Guttenbeil-Likiliki From the 1990s to the early 2000s, Oceanic writer
CNMI Customs confiscate $700K ‘ice’ at post office
The Division of Customs and Biosecurity confiscated 4.9 pounds of crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) with a street value of US$700,000 at the post office in Chalan Kanoa on Saturday, the largest drug haul in
Australia’s vaccine diplomacy in Pacific islands wards off Beijing: Morrison
Australia has been able to stop an “incursion” by Beijing into the Pacific islands by talking with leaders there weekly and offering vaccine aid, Prime Minister Scott Morrison
The Pacific Islands become collateral damage on drug superhighway
(THE INTERPRETER) The illicit drugs trade in the Pacific Islands continues to evolve despite Covid-19 border closures. The seizure of more than 500 kilograms of cocaine in Papua New Guinea in 2020 demonstrated that the
Tap into “environmentally conscious” tourists: Pacific report
A recently released report is recommending that Pacific destinations tap into environmentally conscious tourists when rebuilding their tourism sectors. This was part of recommendations in a recently released
COP26 Pacific voices, young and old, call for action at climate talks
COP26 Pacific voices: On one hand, the index finger is raised. On the other, five digits are displayed. One point five. 1.5 to stay alive. In the midst of the pandemic, Pacific islanders, young and old, are campaigning
Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone outlook
Weather authorities anticipate 9-12 named Tropical Cyclones (TC) could occur in the Southwest Pacific basin between November 2021 and April 2022. The seasonal outlook is for normal to slightly above normal activity in
Fukushima power reactor: What about risk management?
Concerns over the Fukushima power reactor persist. In early May, former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Dame Meg Taylor, called on Japan to reconsider its decision to release more than
Kava: brewing up a storm
There’s a storm brewing over the Pacific as the region’s kava industry watches a gradually unfolding situation in the North Queensland city of Bundaberg. Known more for its sugar cane and famous rum, the city has
France expands Pacific reach
The French government is expanding its engagement with Pacific Island nations, following the fifth France-Oceania summit, a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to French Polynesia, and increased support by France and the
Now is the time for an independent Pacific think tank
By Dr Anthony Bergin and Dr Transform Aqorau Good foreign policy, diplomacy and sound national security in the Pacific Islands doesn’t just require solid ideas and good plans. It needs robust evidence of what works
IAEA to review and monitor the safety of water release at Fukushima Daiichi
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it will play a “vital role” in monitoring and reviewing Japan’s implementation of its plan to discharge treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Olympic travel a big challenge for some Pacific Island teams
Famous athletes in sports like tennis and golf heading to the Tokyo Olympics will probably arrive in Japan at the front of the plane. It’s a style to which the athletes of the Pacific Islands are unaccustomed.
“If it is safe, dump it in Tokyo”
Japan’s Yoshihide Suga has announced a new “Pacific bonds” policy to strengthen cooperation between Japan and Forum Island Countries, as Pacific leaders joined the Japanese Prime Minister on Friday for an online
Pacific artist soars to the top of the world
Spend a bit of time on TikTok and the chances are you will pretty quickly come across someone dancing to the iconic track “Iko Iko” performed by Pacific music star Justin Wellington, aka ‘JW’. While Pacific
How an ASEAN ag visa would undermine Pacific seasonal worker programs
The Australian Federal Agriculture Minister, David Littleproud, announced yesterday morning on the ABC that the National Party had demanded and gained acceptance of a proposed “seasonal agricultural workforce visa”
