OFC and AFC forge closer ties-more matches between teams from Asia and Oceania
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), that will result in greater cooperation and competition between the two FIFA Confederations for the benefit of football in the Pacific and Asia.
The MOU signed after the 33rd AFC Congress in Bahrain will run for three years and will see the OFC...
U.S opens embassy in Solomon Islands, Blinken says
The United States has opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands after a 30-year absence as it seeks to boost diplomatic relations in the Pacific as a counter to China.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced plans to open a diplomatic mission in the Pacific island nation during a visit to the region last year. The last U.S embassy in...
Australian Government delivers on expanding the Pacific workforce – six monthly early
The Albanese Government has reached a major milestone – six months ahead of schedule – with more than 35,000 Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers now in Australia.
In the October 2022 Budget, the Government committed to reaching 35,000 workers by June 2023. Latest data shows the milestone was reached in December.
When the Government came to office the total number...
Climate change: WMO unveils plans for sustainable monitoring of greenhouse gases
A UN-led plan to tackle climate change by radically improving the way heat-trapping atmospheric pollutants are measured all over the planet, is being given serious consideration by governments and the international scientific community, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Wednesday.
The WMO initiative would create a network of ground-based measurement stations that can verify worrying air quality data that’s...
Forum SG welcomes Kiribati return to the Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna has welcomed Kiribati's decision to return to the premier political body.
“I am delighted at the announcement on 30 January, from the Office of the President of Kiribati, confirming their intention to return to the Pacific Islands Forum,” said SG Puna in a statement.
This follows the successful meeting last month between Taneti Maamau,...
Underwater volcano erupts in Vanuatu, triggering warnings for residents, ships and aircraft
Vanuatu's East Epi underwater volcano erupted Wednesday, hurtling ash into the sky and leading authorities to warn ships and aircraft to avoid the area.
“We are telling locals to watch out for any strong explosions as the eruptions are still ongoing,” senior volcano officer Ricardo William, at the meteorology and geo-hazards department, told AFP.
The department posted images of the eruption...
‘No Jab, No Job’ to be removed soon: Fiji AG Turaga
The “No Jab, No Job” policy in Fiji will be removed soon.
This has been confirmed by Attorney-General Siromi Turaga Wednesday.
The AG said the decision to remove the policy should have been done a long time ago.
“We’re working on that, probably by next Cabinet, we will come to a decision, go to Parliament and remove that. According to the Ministry...
Fiji Government to re-look at FICAC’s role
The People’s Coalition government will be redefining the role of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said they are in the planning stage, where they are looking at the operation mechanism of FICAC.
“Phasing out doesn’t mean that we just totally get rid of them.” They are instruments of the constitution of Fiji so, doing anything...
Former Fiji Sugar Corporation CEO paid over $840k says Minister
An inquiry is expected to begin into the hefty salaries and allowances paid to former chief executives of Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC).
The Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh has revealed that former CEO’s of the Fiji Sugar Corporation were being paid up to $840,000 (US$420,000) per annum in salary and allowances.
He said it is even more outrageous that the Fiji...
Fiji’s media veterans recount intimidation under former government, hope new leaders will restore press freedom
By Lice Movono
Veteran Fijian journalist Netani Rika and his wife were resting in their living room when he was suddenly woken, startled by the sound of smashed glass.
“I got up, I slipped on the wet surface,” he recalled.
He turned on the lights and a bottle and wick were spread across the floor.
It was one of the many acts...