PINA

France has said it will impose a state of emergency in New Caledonia for at least 12 days, after a second night of unrest over changes to voting rights in the overseas territory that has resulted in the deaths of at least four people. A government spokeswoman, Prisca Thevenot, announced the decision after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon in...

Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has reaffirmed MSG support of the Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste(FLNKS) position opposing the French government’s constitutional bill aimed at unfreezing New Caledonia’s electoral roll. “There's an urgent need now for France to agree to the proposal by the FLNKS to establish a dialogue and...

Pacific island countries are getting an increased share of Australian foreign aid, budget documents show, as it shifts into funding infrastructure such as undersea cables and ports in response to China’s inroads in the region. Overall, Australia’s foreign aid budget is flat and it remains one of the least generous donors in the OECD club of wealthy nations, ranking 26th...

The Fijian Drua have vowed to do it for its loyal fans this weekend against Queensland Reds in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific. Fijian Drua believes their fans deserve more after their loss to Western Force last week. Head Coach Mick Byrne said players reflected on the loss on their journey back home from Perth. Byrne said they owe the...

Flying winger Floyd Aubrey will start for the first time as part of sweeping changes by Les Kiss in a must-win game for the Queensland Reds' top-four Super Rugby Pacific hopes. The Marist-schooled, Murgon-raised Indigenous product will be given his first big chance in Suva on Saturday, with Kiss managing dynamic winger Tim Ryan on the bench and resting Mac...

Outgoing Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna has expressed concern over the unrest in New Caledonia, reflecting on the sensitive issue that has been brewing since the referendum in December 2021. “I was there to monitor the referendum when it was taken," he stated. “And it was unfortunate that it was allowed to go ahead during that time.” Puna lamented the lack of...

Australia will fund new undersea telecommunications cables for Solomon Islands, provide a $600 million (US$397 million) bailout for Papua New Guinea and spend $400 million (US$264 million) to expand diplomatic posts in the Pacific in the contest with China for regional influence. In the budget announced on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs will also get $188 million (US$124 million)...

A group belonging to New Caledonia's pro-independence movement, UNI (Union Nationale pour l'Indépendance), has released a communiqué saying they were “moved by and deplored the exactions and violence taking place”. UNI member of New Caledonia's Northern provincial assembly, Patricia Goa, said the violent unrest "affects the whole of our population". She said it was “necessary to preserve all that we have...

The winners of Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards were announced today and the Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs) concept was named the winner of the contest’s Nature category, with Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust and Conservation International honoured on behalf of the project. OCCs were rolled out in the South Pacific nation of Niue late last year, with each...

French authorities imposed a curfew on New Caledonia’s capital Noumea and banned public gatherings after supporters of the Pacific island’s independence movement blocked roads, set fire to buildings and clashed with security forces. Tensions in New Caledonia have been inflamed by the French government’s plans to give the vote to tens of thousands of French immigrants to the Melanesian island...