Australia offers to help South Pacific island residents escape rising seas
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Plan would allow up to 280 Tuvaluans to come to Australia each year Australia on Friday offered the island nation of Tuvalu a lifeline to help residents escape the rising seas and increased storms brought by climate change. At a meeting of Pacific leaders in the Cook Islands, Australian Prime…
Guam residents concerns over US missiles
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Members of the public in Guam attended open-house meetings last week to learn more about the 360-degree Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System being planned for Guam. The military is seeking public input on a draft environmental impact statement for the missile defense system. The Guam Daily Post reports that, if…
Australia funds Solomons immigration systems
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Australia is supporting a border management system initiative for the Solomon Islands. The goal of this project is to streamline the visa application process and enhance the movement of people across the border. Australia is contributing over US$2 million in funding, along with technical support. Papua New Guinea, which operates…
Fijian village to ban drug users, dealers
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer The chief of one of Fiji’s 14 provinces has issued a warning to residents that involvement in drug-related activities will result in a ban from the province. Fiji is facing a significant drug crisis, with authorities struggling to manage the situation. Police are conducting weekly raids, arresting individuals, and seizing…
Vanuatu on verge of no confidence vote
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer The Speaker of Parliament in Vanuatu has approved two motions aimed at the removal of both the president and the prime minister of the republic. Vanuatu is experiencing significant political instability, having seen four prime ministers elected and ousted in the last four years due to votes of no confidence,…
Nauru launches climate investment citizenship program
by Martin Haffner, Staff Writer Nauru has introduced a pioneering citizenship by investment program at the COP29 climate change summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. This Micronesian island nation, the world’s smallest independent republic with a population of approximately 11,000, unveiled the ‘Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme’ during Minister Asterio Appi’s address to delegates on…
Tuvalu PM calls for fair climate finance deal
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo has joined the call for a fairer climate finance system for small island nations and the least developed countries. The United Nations climate change conference, COP29, is currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the next two weeks. He is advocating for improved access to…
Papua New Guinea,a risky tourist destination
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Tourists visiting Papua New Guinea may encounter significant risks, particularly related to violence. The country’s diverse cultures and stunning landscapes can be overshadowed by reports of criminal activities, including robbery and assault. Travelers should be aware that certain areas may have heightened tensions or social unrest, which can increase the…
Japanese tourism boost for Fiji
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Fiji and Japan have established a memorandum of cooperation aimed at enhancing tourism collaboration between the two countries. This agreement is designed to facilitate the sharing of technical expertise, training opportunities, capacity building, and resources, which will strengthen the tourism sectors of both nations. Viliame Gavoka, Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister…
Solomon Islands and China sign visa-free travel agreement
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Solomon Islands and China signed an agreement Thursday to exempt citizens of both nations from travel visa requirements. The ‘Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Citizens holding Ordinary Passports’ was signed by Chinese ambassador Cai Weiming and Solomon Islands’ Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka, and witnessed by Prime Minister Jeremiah…
