CoveragePost
September 4, 2023
By Shayal Devi in Suva Fiji owes the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China about $374.9 million, states the Ministry of Finance’s government debt report for the third quarter of 2022/2023. This comes as China has drawn a spate of criticism regarding the motivations behind its assistance to Pacific island countries. The Chinese Embassy in Fiji ... <a title="Fiji owes $374.9m to Exim Bank, but China says ‘no strings’ attached to aid" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/04/fiji-owes-374-9m-to-exim-bank-but-china-says-no-strings-attached-to-aid/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji owes $374.9m to Exim Bank, but China says ‘no strings’ attached to aid">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 3, 2023
RNZ News Labour has officially kicked off its Aotearoa New Zealand election 2023 campaign with a promise to extend free dental care to all those under 30. The party is pitching the dental policy as beginning “the journey” towards universal free dental, while making provision for training more dentists over coming years. Free dental care ... <a title="Election 2023: Labour kicks off campaign with free dental promise" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/03/election-2023-labour-kicks-off-campaign-with-free-dental-promise/" aria-label="Read more about Election 2023: Labour kicks off campaign with free dental promise">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 1, 2023
An Australian academic has lit the fuse of diplomatic fury by publicly criticising Indonesia’s brutal response to the Papuan independence movement, a sensitive topic for governments of both countries. Duncan Graham reports from Indonesia on the silent war to the north. ANALYSIS: By Duncan Graham An Australian academic is risking an eruption of diplomatic fury ... <a title="The silent war – Australia and Indonesia mum on Papuan human right abuses" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/01/the-silent-war-australia-and-indonesia-mum-on-papuan-human-right-abuses/" aria-label="Read more about The silent war – Australia and Indonesia mum on Papuan human right abuses">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 1, 2023
PNG Post-Courier Bomana jail, the main prison near Papua New Guinea’s capital city of Port Moresby, is not accepting new prisoners due to overcrowding. The jail currently holds more than 800 inmates. It can no longer accept new prisoners. Last Friday, an unreported incident involved several remanded inmates taken to Bomana jail being sent back ... <a title="PNG capital’s Bomana jail full – refusing any new prisoners" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/01/png-capitals-bomana-jail-full-refusing-any-new-prisoners/" aria-label="Read more about PNG capital’s Bomana jail full – refusing any new prisoners">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 31, 2023
Asia Pacific Report An Australian advocacy group in support of West Papuan self-determination has criticised the Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders for failing to grant West Papua full membership in the organisation at last week’s summit in Port Vila. While praising Vanuatu Minister for Climate Change Adaptation Ralph Regenvanu for his public stance in support of ... <a title="West Papuan supporters ‘let down’ by MSG leaders, says advocate" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/31/west-papuan-supporters-let-down-by-msg-leaders-says-advocate/" aria-label="Read more about West Papuan supporters ‘let down’ by MSG leaders, says advocate">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 31, 2023
By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific lead digital and social media journalist The leaders of five Melanesian nations have agreed to write to French President Emmanuel Macron “expressing their strong opposition” to the results of the third New Caledonia referendum. In December 2021, more than 96 percent of people voted against full sovereignty, but the pro-independence ... <a title="MSG leaders back Kanak challenge to Macron over ‘not valid’ referendum" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/31/msg-leaders-back-kanak-challenge-to-macron-over-not-valid-referendum/" aria-label="Read more about MSG leaders back Kanak challenge to Macron over ‘not valid’ referendum">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 29, 2023
By Asenaca Uluiviti and Sadhana Sen Fiji recently lost Dr Meraia Taufa Vakatale, a monumental woman leader who broke many glass ceilings with her numerous firsts. As an educationalist, diplomat and politician, she profoundly impacted on the lives of tens of thousands in Fiji and the Pacific region, particularly young women in politics and anti-nuclear ... <a title="Obituary: Meraia Taufa Vakatale – Fiji anti-nuclear activist and feminist trailblazer" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/29/obituary-meraia-taufa-vakatale-fiji-anti-nuclear-activist-and-feminist-trailblazer/" aria-label="Read more about Obituary: Meraia Taufa Vakatale – Fiji anti-nuclear activist and feminist trailblazer">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 29, 2023
POLITICAL BYTES: By Ian Powell There is a reported apparent rift within cabinet between Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Andrew Little over Aotearoa New Zealand’s position in the widening conflict between the United States and China. While at its core it is over relative economic power, the conflict is manifested by China’s increased ... <a title="Ian Powell: Context of the ‘New Washington Consensus’ and China ‘threat’ for New Zealand" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/29/ian-powell-context-of-the-new-washington-consensus-and-china-threat-for-new-zealand/" aria-label="Read more about Ian Powell: Context of the ‘New Washington Consensus’ and China ‘threat’ for New Zealand">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 26, 2023
By David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report The Melanesian Spearhead Group has thrown away a golden chance for achieving a historical step towards justice and peace in West Papua by lacking the courage to accept the main Papuan self-determination advocacy movement as full members. Membership had been widely expected across the Pacific region and ... <a title="MSG throws away golden chance to reset peace and justice for West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/26/msg-throws-away-golden-chance-to-reset-peace-and-justice-for-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about MSG throws away golden chance to reset peace and justice for West Papua">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 26, 2023
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Japan yesterday began the decades-long release of more than one million tonnes of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean in defiance of protests across the region. Protesters in Auckland decried New Zealand’s “convenient silence” on Japan’s nuclear waste release at a rally. Among the crowd was a young ... <a title="‘The ocean is suffering’ – protesters fume over NZ silence on Fukushima wastewater dump" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/26/the-ocean-is-suffering-protesters-fume-over-nz-silence-on-fukushima-wastewater-dump/" aria-label="Read more about ‘The ocean is suffering’ – protesters fume over NZ silence on Fukushima wastewater dump">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 25, 2023
By Doddy Morris in Port Vila Melanesian prime ministers have have signed off two declarations addressing the pressing issues of climate crisis and national security. The ceremonial signing took place at the Havannah Resort in North Efate yesterday, marking the culmination of the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit Retreat. The signatories included host ... <a title="Melanesian leaders sign security and climate crisis declarations" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/25/melanesian-leaders-sign-security-and-climate-crisis-declarations/" aria-label="Read more about Melanesian leaders sign security and climate crisis declarations">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 24, 2023
By Hilaire Bule in Port Vila Benny Wenda, the interim president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), has welcomed the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s confirmation that its application for full membership would be discussed at the 22nd MSG Leaders’ Summit in Port Vila — but warned it would be a test. Wenda conveyed ... <a title="‘The world is watching’ – it’s a test for Melanesian leaders over West Papua, says Wenda" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/24/the-world-is-watching-its-a-test-for-melanesian-leaders-over-west-papua-says-wenda/" aria-label="Read more about ‘The world is watching’ – it’s a test for Melanesian leaders over West Papua, says Wenda">Read more</a>
