Vanuatu kava biz affected by labor mobility
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Vanuatu’s caretaker Foreign Minister Matai Seremaiah has stated that regional labor mobility programs are affecting the local kava industry. He noted that the influx of Ni-Vanuatu workers taking seasonal jobs abroad has diminished the local workforce available for kava farming. “Farmers need assurance of a market to encourage planting,” he…
China, Russia militaries completed joint aerial patrol in the Pacific
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a significant demonstration of military collaboration, China and Russia have successfully completed a joint aerial patrol in the Pacific region. This operation, which took place in early October 2023, underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two nations amidst a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and evolving security dynamics…
Trump is ‘not safe’ – Putin
by Francis Tuschek, Staff Writer US President-elect Donald Trump is “not safe,” Russian President Vladimir Putin believes. The Russian president made the remarks on Thursday at a press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, following a two-day Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit. Putin said he was astonished by the way the US election campaign had unfolded, citing the “absolutely…
New Caledonia approaching crises
by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer Nicole Moreau, president of the small and medium business federation (CPME-NC), has issued a warning about a “monumental social crisis” approaching in New Caledonia. She stated that the aftermath of the riots earlier this year has created not only human and economic issues but also social challenges. “Nine hundred businesses…
Case introduces bill to boost U.S engagement with Pacific
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor A new bill introduced by U.S rep Ed Case, Democratic party -Hawaii, and 11 other Congressional colleagues proposed to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific nations via engagement with civil society organisations, refining overall communications strategies, promoting free media and supporting workforce development. “Successive administrations and Congresses have recognized that no region…
Samoa declares whooping cough outbreak
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Samoa’s Ministry of Health has announced an outbreak of whooping cough, with six confirmed cases as of Thursday. According to the Samoa Health Ordinance of 1959 and the Samoa National Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control Guidelines of 2020, the confirmation of even a single case may lead to an outbreak…
Dengue threat in the Pacific
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Training commenced this week in Suva, Fiji, aimed at assisting Pacific health professionals in tracking mosquito resistance to insecticides. The Pacific Mosquito Surveillance Strengthening for Impact (PacMOSSI) program encompasses various activities, such as identifying mosquito species to determine their local distributions, collecting larvae, and breeding Aedes mosquitoes for testing. Mosquito…
Taiwan must be allowed to join INTERPOL
by Brian Iselin Taiwan’s absence from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) poses a significant gap in global security, particularly in combating transnational crime. As criminal networks become increasingly sophisticated, international law enforcement cooperation is critical. Interpol plays a vital role in facilitating this cooperation through the exchange of criminal intelligence and real-time responses to…
Pacific Island Nations Are Bringing Their Climate Justice Fight to the World’s Highest Court
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Pacific Island leaders have tried almost everything—from giving speeches in knee-deep seawater, to shouting and crying —to draw attention to the impacts of climate change on their nations. But as their attempts to spark drastic action have been met by slow-moving international climate negotiationsand the continued use of fossil fuels, interest in…
US and Fiji sign military pact
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer During a recent joint press conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a luxury hotel on Fiji’s west coast, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made a light-hearted remark about the significance of Austin’s visit. He expressed hope that it was not a sign of looming dangers, stating, “We are here…
