by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Five individuals sought by French authorities have turned themselves in at the besieged pro-independence stronghold of Saint Louis in New Caledonia. This village, part of Mont-Dore near the capital Nouméa, had been surrounded by French security forces, who restricted access to the adjacent provincial road by setting up two checkpoints,…
by Tusi Tasla, Staff Writer The creation of a Pacific Response Group (PRG) emerged as a key outcome from the ninth South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting (SPDMM), which concluded in Auckland on Thursday. The three-day meeting was hosted by New Zealand, with participation from Chile, France, Fiji, Australia, and Tonga as member nations. The United…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer A former long-time staff member of Fiji’s parliament has expressed concern over the quality of political debates within the House, calling for stricter enforcement of standards regarding MPs’ behavior. On Monday, two MPs from opposing parties engaged in a heated exchange, resorting to name-calling and insults. Mary Chapman, who served…
by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, reportedly aims to establish a more “equal” alliance with the United States. Taking office this week, Ishiba is advocating for the presence of Japanese forces in Guam, as stated in a report by the Pacific Island Times. According to the report, Ishiba expressed that…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Pacific Island leaders have concluded the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), reiterating the urgent need for global action to address the climate crisis. During the assembly in New York, Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni highlighted the existential threats posed by rising sea levels, which he…