Whispers
USP boss ponders where to call home The University of the South Pacific is preparing to welcome Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia back to its Laucala campus in Suva, after he was deported in February
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Fiji Votes For Change
On Christmas Eve, Fijians at home and abroad paused in their Christmas preparations to watch the country’s newly-minted parliamentarians vote for their new Prime Minister. It followed days of delicate negotiations
Fiji votes: MOG explains limits of its mandate
The Multinational Observer Group (MOG) monitoring the Fiji election says it did not observe any significant irregularities or issues during pre-polling, postal voting or election day voting. However, some political
Whispers
RSE scrutiny In New Zealand, a report by Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo into the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme has prompted the country’s immigration
Pacific People 2022: Dr Robin Mitchell
The confirmation of Dr Robin Mitchell as President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) was a huge achievement not only for his homeland of Fiji and the island of Rotuma, but for the wider Pacific
Pacific People 2022: Women At The Helm
The three key Pacific Islands fisheries organisations head into 2023 with competent, charismatic women at the helm. Rhea Moss-Christian of the Republic of the Marshall Islands now heads the Western and Central Pacific
CNMI elects first Independent Governor and Lt. Governor
This January, the Northern Mariana Islands will welcome its first independent governor and lieutenant governor, after a heated gubernatorial runoff election between Governor Ralph DLG Torres and his former running mate,
Scientists challenge Japan ocean dumping plan
In early 2023, Japan plans to begin dumping 1.3 million tonnes of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear reactor into the Pacific Ocean. Fiercely opposed by local fishermen, seaweed farmers and
Fukushima and Fish
Time stands still in the Pacific - it's what attracts tourists. But in December 2022, the clock is ticking towards Japan's planned release of more than 1.2 million tonnes of radioactive cooling water into the Pacific
Opinion: Fijian fish workers in foreign owned fishing boats
In the Pacific Island countries including of course Fiji, fishing plays a critical role in people’s livelihoods. Fisherfolks, be they subsistence fishers, artisan fishers, or workers in commercial and industrial
Ovalau Agro PV Project: A model for Fiji
Four more Agrophotovoltaic (APV) projects are planned for Fiji, according to the developer of the Ovalau APV, which is currently in the final stages of negotiations, with construction planned for early next year. “We
Turning the camera on Life On The Rock
Niuean Jerrard Hekau is bringing life on ‘the Rock’ to the world through his growing YouTube channel, ‘Life on the Rock – Niue Island’. Through clips and videos he narrates, Hekau gives insights into farming,
Briefs
American SamoaA new submarine cable between Samoa and American Samoa has been agreed, to further enhance Internet and communications connectivity. The MOU states that the cable will run between Upolu and Tutuila and
Opinion: Republic of Korea-Pacific Islands relations step up
The Republic of Korea (ROK) and 12 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) opted to step-up their relations after the fifth meeting of their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs that was held in Busan, ROK, last October.
Movers and Shakers
Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu is the World Health Organisation’s new Chief Nursing Officer. In 2019, Dr Tuipulotu became Tonga’s first female Minister for Health, and has been a member of the WHO Executive
We Say: Disunity, fear and personal attacks
When Fiji emerges from the December 14 elections, the nation will have a government it truly deserves. The new parliament will be a house which mirrors the Fijian people, their hopes and aspirations. It will also
Fiji Votes: A case of youth apathy or activism?
Young voters again have the opportunity to determine the result of Fiji’s election and the direction of the country in December, but many feel that political parties and candidates have failed to address the issues
Social media and Fiji’s 2022 National Election
Social media has become a necessary tool for political campaigning in Fiji politics since the 2014 national elections. This was the same for the elections in 2018 and is proving to be the case for the 2022 national
Jobs, debt, inflation, representation: Issues concerning Fiji youth
Islands Business’ Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti asked young voters about the upcoming Fiji elections, and the issues of concern to them. This is what some of them had to say: Akansha, 21, from Nakasi, Suva is voting for
Whispers
Welcome – to whose country? At a welcome for Australia's new consul-general in Noumea, the ceremony was opened by customary chiefs from the Drubea-Kapume region of New Caledonia - a welcome to country from indigenous
Briefs
American SamoaThe population of American Samoa has decreased below 50,000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s October update, the population count came to 49,710, far less than 56,084 recorded in 2010. The
Less prayer, more presence
It’s not every day that a young Pacific islander tells regional church leaders to stop praying about climate change and take firm, practical measures which people can see. Fresh off the flight from COP27 in Egypt,
A tick for loss and damage
The disconnect between countries was palpable at the recent COP27 climate conference, as small island nations fought with developing countries to get their issues onto the agenda and into negotiations. Addressing the