pn803. Pacific Snippets: Fiji, West Papua, NZCID, Vanuatu, New Caledonia,Covid in PNG and Fiji, China talks to PNG

Former coup leader and PM Sitiveni Rabuka is headhunting SODELPA leaders to join his People's Alliance party, and there are calls Viliame Govoka to stand down as SODELPA head. All such moves could weaken the Opposition as parties prepare for the 2022 elections.  

As fighting flares between Indonesian and independence armed forces, West Papuans flee across the border in their thousands into Sepik, PNG. 

pn608. Vanuatu risking 300,000 lives to repatriate one citizen?

 

Law Lecturer at USP's Emalus campus, Merilyn Temakon, is deeply concerned about the Vanuatu Government’s decision to repatriate Ni-Vanuatu citizens from high-risk infected countries (level 3), while the economy is still hanging by a thread, with businesses on the brink of shutting down and not enough training given to teams of recruits such as securities and nurses who will be working on the frontline.

“The Government must weigh its priorities, the lives of over 300,000 people are at risk because of the illogical choice of repatriating one citizen,” she said.  Click here to read more.

See also this story on the export of kava.  It may help America to calm down from its domestic politicking  A special despatch on its way to Trump?

Revolutionary Catamaran Studying Oceanic Plastic Pollution Visiting Vanuatu

A revolutionary 100% self-propelled catamaran powered by the sun, wind and the sea is in Vanuatu on its five year journey around the world (2017-2021) to assess the global level and impact  of plastic pollution on the marine environment, to raise awareness and propose solutions for marine litter in the ocean. The scientific, environmental and educational expedition is at Port Vila until the 14th when it will sail for the Solomon Islands. 

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