Coronavirus: a Pacific wrap-up

An outbreak of a new coronavirus has killed at least 106 people in China, and has spread to some of the Pacific’s close neighbours, including Australia (with five cases) and Malaysia (with four). The United States,

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Pacific predictions: 2020

As we enter not only a new year but a new decade, there is much to anticipate in the Pacific islands region. Elections and domestic politics A number of countries in the region will have elections during 2020: Kiribati,

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Long walk to freedom

By Netani Rika THERE was always only going to be one outcome when the people of Bougainville were given their inalienable right to choose the political future of the island chain. Independence. With an overwhelming 97.7

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Pacific stumbles on tuna targets

By NETANI RIKA in Port Moresby AS Pacific fishing nations end their first week of discussions on tuna, the question of Target Reference Points loom large on the agenda. What indicators establish the target fishery state

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O’Neill matter still tied up in courts

The arrest warrant against former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill has been withdrawn by police –  but the matter is still making its way through the courts. The warrant related to alleged

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PNG journo reinstated

Two days after terminating his employment, Papua New Guinea’s EMTV has re-instated News and Current Affairs manager Neville Choi, and he says he will be back at work this morning. Choi was sacked for what EMTV

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Fiji calls for sea-bed mining moratorium as Nautilus restructures

By Nic Maclellan in Funafuti, Tuvalu Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has again called for a 10-year moratorium on sea-bed mining, at a time that many Pacific island nations are preparing for new frontiers of

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Focus on agriculture, World Bank tells PNG

Papua New Guinea has been advised to tweak its macroeconomic policy and throw more weight behind agriculture, as it has the potential to enable more diversified and inclusive development.   The World Bank

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Fijian exporters urged to explore PNG

As the global trade environment pushes further into uncertain territory, Fijian exporters are being urged to take advantage of what Papua New Guinea has to offer.  In a presentation to local businesses this week,

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We’re referendum-ready

BOUGAINVILLEANS are to vote in June this year to decide whether to remain part of Papua New Guinea or to be independent. The national government has tasked the Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC) to formulate and

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