How #Pacific #PIF countries voted at #UN on #Palestinian statehood.

Yes - #Australia and #NZ
No - #Micronesia , #Nauru , #Palau and #PNG
Abstain - #Fiji , #MarshallIslands , #Vanuatu

Absent countries in blue - #Kiribati , #Samoa , #SolomonIslands , #Tonga and #Tuvalu . Why?

#UN

As the US prepares for war with China, it is expanding military facilities in the territory of Guam and across Micronesia. My report for Inside Story shows how the Pentagon aims to disperse forces across refurbished WW2 airstrips in CNMI, FSM and Palau. insidestory.org.au/global-waves-h…

#WestPapua

The leaders of Papua New Guinea and the independence-seeking Bougainville region will appoint an outside moderator to help agree the terms of a parliamentary vote on the semi-autonomous island’s future. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

Fiji’s former strongman prime minister Frank Bainimarama sentenced to one year in prison for obstructing justice – a ruling that bars him from seeking public office for nearly a decade. benarnews.org/english/news/p…

Explanatory memorandum on Falepili Union. Australia + Tuvalu say there will only be a 'narrow set of circumstances' where Aus would need to 'mutually agree' (ie potentially veto) security arrangements between Tuvalu and other countries. Cooperation w PIF nations not a concern 1/

This Italian tech story builds on an OCCRP/ABC story detailing how Digicel Pacific's network resources were used to spy on people in the Middle East and north Africa. Telstra insisted that this activity had stopped, but new evidence shows it continued.

irpimedia.irpi.eu/setelefonando-…

Thanks for posting devpolicy.org

“Fiji’s improvement in the annual Reporters Without Borders index was in contrast to the global trend for erosion of media independence [eg in PNG] the PM’s threat to retaliate against journalists,” say Stephen Wright & Stefan Armbruster from BenarNews.

devpolicy.org/fijis-media-fr…

Very interesting blog on devpolicy.org today from Stefan Armbruster & Stephen Wright on falling media freedom in PNG and improving freedom in Fiji: devpolicy.org/fijis-media-fr…

In #NewCaledonia , the FLNKS has long been calling for an independent mediator to lead a delegation to Noumea, to break the political impasse between supporters and opponents of independence. Le Monde now reports that three former French Prime Ministers have made the same call.

Pacific journos, this one’s for you! Islands Business Islands Business is looking for an experienced investigative reporter “who can break and regularly deliver high quality original investigative stories across platforms.” Full-time permanent job – apply now:
islandsbusiness.com/pacific-jobs/i…

Long time no tweet 👋lol I’m still moping over Finau’s departure but we are now looking for an exceptional journalist to join our award-winning (humble brag) team delivering stories heard and read across the region 🌊🌏📻 is it you? Apply now ⭐️

Warm Pacific greetings, come and work with a talented team of journalists who are passionate about Pacific issues in the region, and Aotearoa.

rnz.careercentre.net.nz/job/journalist…

New Honest Government Ad is out!
Featuring special guest Punter's Politics

🐨Video linky in replies

“Protectors Anthem” to those fighting for their land and water.

Nihi! | Indigenous Media #Indigenous Media and Protect #Guam Water with Chamoran artists Microchild and Jonah Hånom.

#Marianas #Micronesia #Pacific

SONG: youtu.be/TbsDWS94zuY

STORY: guampdn.com/news/nihi-indi… via Guam PDN

Aa a sign of Germany’s growing interest in the region, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will visit Australia, NZ and Fiji this week. In Suva, she’ll visit the Black Rock peacekeeping camp and meet Fiji PM Rabuka and Forum Secretary General Henry Puna.
auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolit…

Latest from me for RFA/BenarNews with Stephen Wright
and contributions from Belinda Kora (PNG Media Council), Francis Herman (@NewsroomVbtc) and
FBC News Fiji.

RSF RSF in English

#WorldPressFreedomDay #WPFD2024 #Pacific
#JournalismIsNotACrime

Fiji’s media freedom ranking jumps, Papua New Guinea’s plummets #AsiaPacificReport #BenarNews Stefan Armbruster #mediafreedom #newsmedia #Pacificmedia #Fiji #PapuaNewGuinea
asiapacificreport.nz/2024/05/04/fij…

'I have to have sex with you' is what Florence was told when she tried to get an abortion in Vanuatu.

I've been investigating illegal pregnancy terminations in the Pacific for a year. Stories like this are common, but rarely talked about.

rb.gy/nmynp4