France deploys vast force to secure New Caledonia referendum
France has detailed an unprecedented security set-up for New Caledonia's third and final independence referendum on 12 December.
The French authorities made the announcement as...
Bomb blast kills father and son, others seriously injured in Solomon Islands
A deadly bomb blast at LDA area, Upper Betikama in east Honiara in Solomon Islands has killed two people, a father and his son...
Pacific Leaders must put Australia on notice, AUKUS “highly problematic” for the region
Australia needs to be put on notice by Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders for abandoning its commitments under the South Pacific's nuclear free accord,...
Ratu Wiliame Katonivere is Fiji’s new President
Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere was today elected the new President of Fiji after receiving 28 votes from Members of Parliament.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama...
PNGDF guns intact, More than 50,000 illegal, unlicensed firearms in PNG
There have been many allegations leveled against the Papua New Guinea disciplinary forces over the years, alleging that police and soldiers sell firearms.
However, Papua...
IAEA chief: AUKUS could set precedent for pursuit of nuclear submarines
The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog has said other states could follow Australia’s example and seek to build nuclear-powered submarines, raising serious proliferation...
Ten questions: Micronesia’s President David Panuelo fronts up
Geopolitical competition in the Pacific is not necessarily the heated knife fight that international media often make it out to be.
That's according to the...
To vote or not to vote? Debating a New Caledonia referendum delay
By Nic Maclellan
As France’s Overseas Minister Sébastien Lecornu visits Noumea, supporters and opponents of independence are debating whether the next New Caledonia referendum...
Guns in high demand, Arms smuggling linked to PNG elections
As the 2022 General Election looms, firearms are being smuggled into the Papua New Guinea Highlands region from various parts of the country, says...
AUKUS disrupts “a very peaceful part of planet earth”
By Nic Maclellan
With anti-nuclear sentiment on the rise across the islands, the Morrison government’s nuclear submarine ambitions have undercut the prime minister’s claim...
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El Niño declared as drought and cyclone risks increase: Tonga Meteorological Service
Tonga has declared that El Niño conditions are now in force, with meteorologists warning of increased drought risk, reduced rainfall and a potentially more...
UNESCO launches consultation on fair payment for news in the digital age
UN cultural agency UNESCO has launched a global consultation process to inform its Draft Guidance on Fair Compensation for News, particularly as online platforms...
WHO and UNAIDS warn HIV gains at risk as funding cuts threaten AIDS response
By Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, and Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe and...