West PAPUA hot on agenda
Another modest victory for pro-independence movement PACIFIC leaders are expected to discuss the situation facing the people of West Papua when they hold their annual Forum in Papua New Guinea this month. Although the
Politics
SEDITION Arrests and denials
A COMPANY of Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) soldiers has joined local police investigations into allegations of militarytype training in a remote mountainous area in Fiji’s Western Division. The
Cook Islands at
FIFTY years of self-government and free association with New Zealand has raised more questions than answers as Cook Islanders contemplate the relevance of that relationship today, as well as their place in the world and
Right royal challenge for Tupou VI
ON the road from Fua’amotu International Airport to Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, the red and white bunting has gathered dust and is starting to look tired. The miniature flags hang limply on the fences
Forum discord as concerns mount over Nauru situation
THERE appears to be some discord within the Pacific Forum over the mounting international and regional concerns about what some Pacific Forum member countries view as a breakdown in democracy in Nauru. Apart from
CSOs respond to Pacific Forum Inclusivity Initiative
THE Pacific Forum Secretariat’s Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism has received a total of 68 proposals for regional initiatives from a wide crosssection of Pacific communities including Non Governmental
Salaries to influence vote
Among the many women candidates who registered for Tonga’s elections is trades unionist Mele Sivi ‘Amanaki (pictured). A former Civil Servant, she is the Secretary General of the Public Service Association
Airline owner focuses on family values and youth
Businessman Tevita Palu of Fasi-moeAfi is no stranger to controversies with government. The civil engineer is also the CEO of Real Tonga, the Kingdom’s only domestic airline. Two years ago aid towards the Tonga
O’Neill faces fresh corruption allegations
Uproar over purchase of shares Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is undeterred by mounting high level corruption allegations against him with the latest being his referral for prosecution by a
Major fraud investigation moves into high gear
Local pharmacy, govt ministries under probe New Year’s Eve is normally the time for popping champagne bottles and partying into the wee hours. There was plenty of that in the Marshall Islands. But in an
Poet slams crisis into UN
I t was no surprise to friends of Marshall Islander Kathy JetnilKijiner when her delivery of a poem about the looming climate crisis sparked a standing ovation from heads of state at the United Nations General Assembly
Modi’s bold move
India strengthens ties to Pacific When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (pictured) left Fiji after a 15-hour visit last month, he had boldly ventured where none of his predecessors had been before. For with one stop
China hands out goodies to Pacific allies
November’s historic Fiji meeting between China’s President Xi Jinping and eight Pacific leaders served to further solidify China-Pacific cooperation and project the superpower as one of the Pacific’s
Hollande says France will remain a Pacific power
French President pledges climate action Sometimes in politics, it’s the little things that matter. On his first official visit to New Caledonia, French President Francois Hollande stood in front of two flags on
Tonga’s Freedom Fighter aims for election victory
Pohiva’s last swan song For veteran Tongan freedom fighter ‘Akilisi Pohiva, the election this month will be the final roll of the dice in a political career which started 40-odd years ago as a student at
Women candidates impact on election line-up
Husband and wife bid for parliament seats A record number of women candidates are expected to contest the Solomon Islands national election on November 19. Lisa Horiwapu of Vois Blong Mere Solomons (VBMS) expects around
Forum allows Fiji back into regional group
But Fiji wants Australia, New Zealand out Moments after the magazine posted on its Facebook page the announcement by the Pacific Islands Forum that Fiji’s suspension from it has been lifted, an avid reader posted
Flosse loses power in French Polynesia
Conviction drives veteran politician out After exhausting all avenues of appeal, President Gaston Flosse of French Polynesia has been removed from office following his conviction for misappropriation of public funds.
Pacific voice grows in NZ
Islanders influence election outcome Auckland: Over 330,000 Pacific people living in New Zealand now have a bigger voice in parliament following September’s General Election which saw the National Party re-elected
US seeks dismissal as nuke lawsuit gains support
Islanders’ justice bill nears US$2.3 billion When the Marshall Islands filed legal action in late April against nine nuclear nations at the International Court of Justice and against the United States in federal
Tokelau meeting approves south Albacore Tuna plan
FFA ministers endorse Atafu Declaration Fisheries Ministers in the Pacific have endorsed moves they hope would lead to better management of the south Pacific albacore tuna fisheries both in their 200 miles exclusive
Emotional fall-out overnuclear test memorial
Flosse tries to move shrine from park Even though the last nuclear test in the Pacific was conducted nearly 20 years ago, the commemoration of the atomic era still causes debate in French Polynesia. President Gaston
Kiribati plans livestock and farms on Fiji property
Kiribati President Anote Tong has brushed aside criticism of his government’s decision to buy the Natoavatu Estate land in Fiji at a price of AU$9.3 million. Despite popular belief. Tong says the 5461 acres of