Congratulations to Radio Free Asia brand BenarNews, who won a silver @TellyAwards 🏆 for their video report examining Papua’s controversial “Noken” voting system.

Body language when presidents meet.

#France ’s Macron with #NewCaledonia govt's Louis Mapou (not happy) and Congress’ Roch Wamytan.

These the only agency photos run of Macron with Kanaks filed among two dozen of him with French security forces.

#NouvelleCaledonie #Pacific

Journalists challenge #PNG 's govt over its 'media control policy' at parliamentary inquiry, communications minister says regulation is needed to hold media 'accountable'.

benarnews.org/english/news/p… via BenarNews Stephen Wright

With Scott Waide🌴🌴 Neville Choi #mediafreedom #Pacific

Journalists challenge #PNG government over ‘media control’ policy #AsiaPacificReport BenarNews #mediafreedom #pressfreedom #parliament #mediacouncilpng #JamesMarape Stefan Armbruster Scott Waide🌴🌴 #HarlyneJoko PACNEWS
asiapacificreport.nz/2024/05/22/jou…

Statement today from the Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front #FLNKS , on French President Macron’s visit to #NewCaledonia . Unofficial translation of excerpts of statement issued by the FLNKS Political Bureau (executive of the coalition of four major independence parties).

Journalists challenge Papua New Guinea's government over its 'media control policy' at a parliamentary inquiry.

The communications minister says regulation is needed to hold media 'accountable'.

PNG’s press freedom ranking has plummeted in recent years. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

Pacific Partners Unite for Regional Security and Prosperity | Australia Commits SBD18 Million to New Border Management System for Solomon Islands – a Collaboration Between Australia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands tavulinews.com.sb/pacific-partne…

The Pacific team at Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project is delighted to welcome In-Depth Solomons In-depth Solomons as a full OCCRP member centre.

We've been working with the IDS team since the newsroom's inception. We're lucky to have this dedicated & professional team in the OCCRP family.

indepthsolomons.com.sb

Vanuatu 🇻🇺 statement on New Caledonia situation

Right. Thread on latest in New Caledonia. A *lot* going on. Here's our story from last night on Australian evacuation flights landing back in Brisbane. But so many other things are happening 1/
abc.net.au/news/2024-05-2…

Lots of Australian think tanks and universities have positioned themselves to benefit from the ALP government’s work to strengthen the strategic partnership with France in the Indo-Pacific. But it seems France’s colonial policy in #NewCaledonia is causing second thoughts. THREAD

Deputy PM Richard Marles heading to Solomon Islands ahead of meeting new PM Jeremiah Manele tomorrow. Plenty up for discussion, including:

- how much longer will AFP stay in Solomon Islands under SIAF?
- does Manele share Sogavare's enthusiasm for establishing armed forces?

Overseas Minister says police operation to clear the road to airport was a “success” (removal of 76 roadblocks/obstacles). 700 extra police have arrived with 350 more coming today. These include GIGN paramilitary units and elite RAID (counter-terror and VIP protection officers).

The leaders of the three Pacific nations which maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan (Palau, Tuvalu and RMI) are all in Taipei to watch Lai Ching-te be inaugurated as Taiwan's new president

I pose the question and I answer it.

Time for Australia to stand up and act.

Is it time for Australia to reassess its position on France’s role in New Caledonia? theconversation.com/is-it-time-for… via The Conversation - Australia + New Zealand

“Papua New Guineans love sheep meat, especially lamb flaps which are mostly fat and treated as dog food in Western countries.'

Farmer hopes new sheep breed will help cut PNG reliance on imports of unhealthy meat cuts banned in some Pacific countries. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

Why are some Pacific Christians staunch supporters of Israel? abc.net.au/pacific/progra…

France’s armed forces minister Sebastian Lecornu confirms that President Macron has requested the mobilisation of the FANC (French armed forces based in #NewCaledonia ), to support the police and security forces deployed after recent clashes.

The 2023 winners of the Sean Dorney Grant for Pacific Journalism, Marian Faa and Stefan Armbruster have produced their finished works, delivering in-depth coverage of international stories seldom covered in the Australian media. walkleys.com/sean-dorney-gr…

More fascinating context and what exploded this week in #NewCaledonia from Nic Maclellan 🙌🏼.

devpolicy.org/crisis-in-new-… via devpolicy.org

#Kanaky #NouvelleCaledonie #Pacific #France #democracy #decolonisation #Melanesia #auspol