The devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Vanuatu on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 14 people and injuring more than 200, has sent shockwaves around the world, with Ni-Vanuatuans residing in Rarotonga praying for the safety of their loved ones at home.
The Niue Community and Friends Inc, Society were overwhelmed to finally host their Groundbreaking ceremony for their Fale Niue Kūki ʻĀirani hostel in Tupapa.
FIJI – A former senior member of the Fiji government Pio Tikoduadua – who this week announced he is joining an opposition party – says he had concerns about the Fiji First Party’s direction before the landmark elections in 2014.
FIJI – The discovery of a 2.5-metre-long long snake in Cuvu, Sigatoka, has sparked concern and fear among residents.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Four men have been killed and another four are in intensive care in Papua New Guinea after a sorcery related attack in Eastern Highlands province during the Easter weekend.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – A young Iranian refugee who fled Papua New Guinea to seek asylum in Fiji has had charges against him thrown out of court in Port Moresby.
MARSHALL ISLANDS – The vast Pacific Ocean has become a tactical arena in the preparations for a future world war, according to a veteran journalist and documentary filmmaker.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Refugees have challenged Australian government claims that shots fired during an outbreak of violence at the Manus Island detention centre were discharged by PNG military personnel into the air.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – An asylum seeker detained by Australia on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island says he thought he was going to die during the Good Friday attack on the detention centre by officers in the PNG navy.
GUAM – The Archdiocese of Agana in Guam has asked the US Federal Court to dismiss dozens of clergy sex abuse lawsuits, based on a challenge to a seven-month-old law that lifted the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases.
NIUE – Niuean leaders are calling for locals and Niueans living abroad to fight for the preservation of the Niuean language.
NIUE – Niue’s fifth Arts and Cultural Festival is now underway with hundreds of participants and visitors taking part in the week-long event.
FIJI – A former right hand man to Fiji’s Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, has joined the opposition, complaining of a climate of fear and intolerance of dissent within the governing party.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s Defence Force is investigating an incident in which military personnel fired shots at Australia’s refugee detention centre on Manus Island.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister has extended condolences to the family of the woman who designed the national flag, the late Susan Karike Huhume.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Australia and Papua New Guinea must review media relations after two separate but equally “shocking” bans on PNG press, according to the Pacific Freedom Forum.
SOLOMON ISLANDS – Vietnamese fishing boats caught fishing illegally in Solomon Islands have been fined US$4.6 million – and if the owners don’t come forward and pay the fines the boats will be destroyed.
NIUE – Niuean leaders are calling for locals and Niueans living abroad to fight for the preservation of Niuean language.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – A ban on local media from covering press conferences held by Australia’s prime minister Malcolm Turnbull during his visit to Papua New Guinea has been described as an example of remnant attitudes leftover from colonial times.
FIJI – Six students of a high school in Nadi have been removed from the institution after they were photographed allegedly smoking drugs.
NIUE – Niue’s rugby league coach is hoping that more players with Niuean heritage will be discovered now that an Emerging Nations World Championship has been confirmed.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The International Labour Organisation says Papua New Guinea’s government is making inroads to the problem of child labour.