Regional
Qiliho: More partnerships needed between policing organisations
MORE partnerships between policing organisations in the international front are needed to effectively address the illegal trade, which is a global problem. These were the words of Fiji’s Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho during a...
23rd July
Bad driving leads to $140 million drug bust in Sydney
SYDNEY (Reuters) – A clumsy driver led police to a A$200 million ($140 million) drug bust in Australia after he crashed a van laden with 270 kg (600 lb) of methamphetamines into a patrol car parked outside a police station in suburban Sydney. The man, 28, slammed the drug-filled van into the empty police patrol...
19th July
Why Fiji Indians are vulagi: Dr Ganesh Chand explains
AUCKLAND, 19 JULY 2019 (STUFF NZ) – The debate on whether Indians in Fiji are “vulagi” (visitors) has reached offshore, and discussion in the New Zealand media is getting intense. First, there was SODELPA Party’s Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who referred to the National Federation Party and the Fiji Labour Party as “vulagi” parties late last...
West Papua leader Benny Wenda receives freedom of Oxford, Indonesia condemns decision
LONDON, 19 JULY 2019 (BBC NEWS/ANTARA) – The exiled leader of an Indonesian separatist group has been awarded the freedom of the city of Oxford. City councillors honoured West Papua independence leader Benny Wenda, who was granted UK asylum in 2002. The Foreign Office said the decision “has no bearing on UK government policy” and...
NZ turns in development report card to UN, emphasising wellbeing framework
NEW YORK, 19 JULY 2019 (STUFF NZ) – New Zealand has returned its first sustainable development report card to the United Nations, with a huge emphasis on the Government’s wellbeing framework. This voluntary review of its progress towards the agenda 2030 “sustainable development goals” (SDGs) saw the country boasting about its foreign aid boost, overall...
Former PNG Forest Minister Tomuriesa charged for funds misuse
PORT MORESBY, 19 JULY 2019 (POST COURIER) – Former Papua New Guinea Forest Minister and Member of Parliament for Kiriwina-Goodenough Douglas Tomuriesa has been charged with misappropriation. Tomuriesa, 51, from Losuia village is alleged to have misappropriated K2.2 million (US$648,000) from K6 million (US$1.7 million) earmarked for the South Fly District health workers’ houses under...
Climate and poverty key for PM Ardern
MELBOURNE, 19 JULY 2019 (AAP) – Climate change and childhood poverty are the two areas where New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern plans to make her mark. During a whirlwind visit to Melbourne the prime minister told a 2000-strong crowd those were the policies she wanted to ensure lasted long after she finished her tenure...
Tongan Minister opposes Family Protection Act
NUKU’ALOFA, 19 JULY 2019 (RNZ PACIFIC) – Tonga’s police minister has publicly expressed his strong opposition to an act designed to provide protection from domestic violence. The Family Protection Act, legislated in 2014, was drafted to provide safeguards for family members and applies specifically to women and children, but includes other family members like grandparents...
Sacked ambassador to Vanuatu’s lawyer hits out at case
NOUMEA, 19 JULY 2019 (RNZ PACIFIC) – The lawyer of France’s former ambassador to Vanuatu says the case over his client’s alleged sexual assault has been handled in a grotesque fashion. The diplomat, Robby Judes, was sacked in March after two women in New Caledonia accused him of assault. After questioningJudes, the prosecutor in Noumea...
New Zealand’s Ardern says plight of Pacific Islanders should spur climate action
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Climate change is having a real impact on Pacific islanders and that should spur countries to greater action to tackle the problem, New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday. Ardern, speaking at a civil society conference in Australia, said she hoped that climate change was an area where her government...
Tongan Nobles plea to receive TP$900,000 of constituency funds
NUKU’ALOFA, 19 JULY 2019 (KANIVA TONGA NEWS) – The nobility’s nine MPs in Tonga Parliament have pleaded with the government to be allowed to receive TP$100,000 (US$44,430) each from the constituency funding to help people in their various estates. The funding was meant for the 17 people’s MPs to distribute each year among their constituencies...
New Zealand’s Ardern says plight of Pacific Islanders should spur climate action
MELBOURNE, 19 JULY 2019(REUTERS) – Climate change is having a real impact on Pacific islanders and that should spur countries to greater action to tackle the problem, New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday. Ardern, speaking at a civil society conference in Australia, said she hoped that climate change was an area where...
17th July
Regional security strategy critical, says Lesuma
MINISTRY of Defence permanent secretary Manasa Lesuma says having a Regional Security Strategy document is critical to the welfare of Melanesia and the Pacific region as a whole. Mr Lesuma highlighted this at the 3rd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) – Regional Security Strategy Regional Security (RSS) meeting at Nadi’s Tanoa International Hotel yesterday. He said...
