Vanuatu speaker lodges court appeal amid political crisis
The speaker of Vanuatu’s parliament has appealed a court decision deeming a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau successful, prolonging a political crisis in the Pacific island nation.
Vanuatu Supreme Court rules in favour of opposition in Parliament majority case
The Supreme Court of Vanuatu ruled on Friday that Vanuatu’s opposition party won a no-confidence vote regarding incumbent Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau last week. While the speaker of Parliament initially ruled that
Vanuatu Opposition demands new Speaker
A motion of no confidence was lodged and registered Friday by the Vanuatu Opposition bloc, moved by Johnny Koanapo, Member of Parliament for Tanna Constituency, and Malekula MP Gracia Shadrack, to remove the Speaker of
Vanuatu PM Kalsakau survive no-confidence vote
Vanuatu narrowly avoided a political crisis as Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday. Vote of no confidence against PM Kalsakau was defeated as opposition failed to
Aimeliik Legislature calls for investigation of Rengulbai for alleged misconduct in office
The 12th Aimeliik State Legislature passed a resolution requesting Aimeliik Governor Browny Simer to investigate allegations of misconduct in office made against Aimeliik State Public Land Authority (AIMSPLA) Chairman
Petition for Tongan electoral reform
A petition calling for reform of Tonga’s electoral system so that the Prime Minister may be chosen by a popular vote (and not by the Members of Parliament in the House) has engaged the House this week. On Monday
Vanuatu cabinet reshuffle
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau has made a cabinet reshuffle. MP for Santo Rural Samson Samsen has been appointed new Minister for Trade. Matai Seremaiah is now Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime
Tuvalu foreign minister Kofe resigns from Cabinet
Tuvalu’s foreign Minister Simon Kofe has announced his resignation from the island nation’s Cabinet on Friday. “Friends, today in Parliament I made a significant announcement. I’ve decided to
PNG MP Lohia Boe Samuel acquitted of murder
Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel has been found not guilty, and acquitted by the Waigani National Court in Papua New Guinea Wednesday. Samuel and his co-accused Fabian Hera, were both charged with willful murder,
Samoa Supreme Court voids former PM Tuilaepa and Lealailepule suspension
The Samoa Supreme Court today ruled that the suspension of former Prime Minister the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Tuilaepa Sailele Malilegaoi and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi for two
What happened to me must never happen again: Forum SG Puna
In a frank admission on the circumstances which forced his exit from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Secretary General of the Forum Henry Puna has told a closed function hosted in Samoa that what took place
“Papua New Guinea is my home”: Sidelined PNG Foreign Minister apologise
Sidelined PNG Foreign Minister and Port Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko has apologised to Papua New Guineans in Parliament Wednesday regarding his comments of primitive animals. This was in response to
PNG Ombudsman Commission receives complaints on MP Tkatchenko
The Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Commission says it has received an “avalanche of complaints” from people against Moresby South MP and sidelined Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko for the “primitive animals”
Solomon Islands PM lost key political fixer
The Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister’s nephew and political fixer has died, in a development that could destabilise the Pacific’s most pro-China government. Indepth Solomons reports that Prime Minister Manasseh
Wesley Simina sworn in as new FSM president
Former Speaker Wesley W. Simina on Thursday took his oath as the 10th president of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), succeeding David Panuelo whose term officially expired on the same day. Pacific Island Times
Six political parties suspended in Solomon Islands
Six political parties in Solomon Islands have been suspended last month over their failure to comply with requirements of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014, reports Indepth Solomons. That’s according to Acting
Death of a newspaper
The closure of New Caledonia’s only daily newspaper Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes highlights the commercial and political challenges facing media across the Pacific. The death of a newspaper strikes hard — and not
Sir Rabbie, a great man: PNG PM Marape
Sir Rabbie Namaliu was a man of many accolades during his service to the people of Papua New Guinea, says Prime Minister James Marape. At the State funeral held at Apec House Tuesday, Marape gave a heartfelt speech
Former Tonga PM Tu’ionetoa passes away
Former Tongan Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu’ionetoa has passed away at the weekend. He had been receiving medical assistance in the United States. Tonga’s Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Paula
We Say: A time of Reconciliation, Not Reckoning
With the advent of Fiji’s new government, has come much relief and joy. The announcement of a tripartite coalition after days of negotiation amidst national angst, brought an immediate groundswell of hope and support
Jacinda Ardern announces resignation as prime minister
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today has announced her resignation stating she will not be seeking re-election this year and her last day as prime minister is February 7. Ardern said she reflected over the
The late Brij Lal to finally return home
After 12 years in exile, the late Professor Brij Vilash Lal is returning home to Tabia in the Fijian province of Macuata on Saturday, February 25. Funeral rituals will be held at Tabia Sanatan College from 12.30-2pm
Opinion: Fiji’s fragile new coalition needs the support of Australia
Sitiveni Rabuka is Fiji’s prime minister again after assembling last month a coalition with a majority of three seats, ending Frank Bainimarama’s 16 years in power. Like Gaul, the new coalition government of
