It is premature to say that SIICAC is doomed to fail
By Mose Saitala
Prime Minister Danny Philip in 2011 conceived and commenced the pursuit of the fundamental reform programme. He was ousted barely 15 months into his term in office. His successor, Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, was committal to the fundamental reform programme and propelled the country to accede to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) on...
Samoa political commentator calls for international intervention as head of state claims to be ‘above the law’
A political commentator is urging the international community to get involved and for a politician to be dragged out of office as a new development emerges in Samoa's battle for power.
Political commentator Mata'afa Keni Lesa spoke to The AM Show on Monday almost two months after FAST Party broke a month-long deadlock from the April election to claim a...
ABG government position on mining reservation and exploration
The ABG Minister for Mineral and Energy Resources, Rodney Osioco, has announced that the Bougainville Government will no longer be partially lifting the existing mining reservation or moratorium in selected areas of Bougainville for the purposes of mineral exploration endeavors in new or “greenfield” sites until certain issues are addressed.
This is consistent with a key Bougainville mining policy objective...
Fijian Rugby Sevens teams named for Tokyo Olympic Games
Fiji Rugby is thrilled to announce two strong and experienced sevens teams which will be part of Team Fiji’s campaign to the Olympic Games in Tokyo Japan later this month.
After competing in the Oceania 7s a fortnight ago, coach Gareth Baber and Saiasi Fuli have finally penciled in their 12-member squad along with traveling reserves.
Baber said “The Olympic Games...
Change of eligibility rules would help Tonga compete against All Blacks, says coach Toutai Kefu
A relaxation of World Rugby's eligibility laws would help avert scenes like the All Blacks' 102-0 victory over Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday night, according to beaten coach Toutai Kefu.
Putting together a makeshift squad using only local players, with the majority of Tonga's stars unable to travel to New Zealand from overseas, Kefu's side were outplayed in...
Fifth attempt to elect New Caledonia president
New Caledonia's 11 ministers have been summoned by the French High Commissioner to meet on Thursday for a fifth attempt to elect a president.
Since February, there has been no properly constituted government because in four attempts, none of the presidential candidates could secure the minimum six votes to be elected.
However, last week the pro-independence parties, which control six seats,...
Cook Islands to continue support of UN seabed mining process
Cook Islands will continue to support the work of the International Seabed Authority(ISA) in developing global seabed mining regulations, and the country will continue to follow its own process at its own pace.
Prime Minister Mark Brown responded to questions on the matter by Cook Islands News after the Pacific island nation of Nauru notified the International Seabed Authority (ISA)...
Climate change, COVID-19, Oceans- PALM 9 continues strong Japan-Pacific partnership
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, have completed their virtual Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, the PALM 9, reaffirming the PALM partnership and priorities for collaboration for the coming three years to address emerging challenges.
In an opening ceremony, Prime Minister Suga and the Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Tuvalu Prime Minister Hon. Kausea Natano, set...
Samoa Head of State defies Court order, defers Parliament to August
Samoa Head of State has defied a Supreme Court order for Parliament to convene within seven days, and instead proclaimed that the Legislative Assembly will sit on 02 August, as he says Samoa's two dominant parties “don't have a majority” to lead.
In a night announcement at around 10pm on Sunday, Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II said the Court has no...
France denies cover-up over Pacific nuclear tests
The French government denied any cover up on Friday over radiation levels in the Pacific following its nuclear testing in the region, as discussions were held in Paris about the legacy of the explosions.
A two-day roundtable meeting called by French President Emmanuel Macron in April began on Thursday following fresh allegations that the testing between 1966-1996 caused hidden atmospheric...