Evan Wasuka

Melbourne

Pacific Reporter and Producer at ABC Radio Australia

Pacific reporter & producer

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Articles

Ghost towns left, in the wake of New Caledonia nickel mine shutdown

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

On this week's program:New Caledonia's only Indigenous-controlled mine has closed, as Indonesia floods the global market with cheap nickel. With villages now left as ghost towns, the pro-independence community is left questioning whether the territory could survive on its own without the valuable commodity. Papua New Guinea has become the first South Pacific country to use Artificial Intelligence to process visas and end long waiting times.
Fiji and Vanuatu hard hit by Trump's new tariffs

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

On the program this week. The Pacific nations of Fiji, Vanuatu and Nauru were among those hard hit by new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Fijian workers in Tonga are finding themselves in bleak situations with employers enforcing sometimes illegal working conditions. A foreign-born member of Vanuatu's parliament says a proposal to ban non-indigenous citizens from contesting elections would be a regressive step for the country.
PNG shuts off Facebook over security concerns - ABC Pacific

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

On the show today: Papua New Guinea's government used anti-terrorism legislation to shut down public access to Facebook for two days this week with police citing security concerns. Confidential government documents show PNG wants to develop a space agency become a leader in post-quantum cryptography and acquire a luxury island with a Congolese musician.
PNG and Bougainville hold crucial talks for path to independence

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

On the show this week,Crucial discussions on what could become one of the world's newest countries took place this week in the Paua New Guinea capital Port Moresby. Chinese construction companies are copping criticism in Vanuatu in the wake of the massive earthquake that devastated the capital Port Vila last December.
Vanuatu's PM moves to revoke fugitive businessman's passport

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

On the program this week:Vanuatu's Prime Minister has ordered the passport of fugitive Indian businessman Lalit Modi to be cancelled. In Fiji, an explosion in the use of methamphetamines in recent years is fueling another crisis a surge in the number of HIV cases. The Australian government has been quietly helping Papua New Guinea draft new arrangements for refugees in the Pacific country.
Fisheries summit wraps up in Honiara with declaration on data collection

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

On the program today: Pacific leaders have wrapped up a major fisheries summit in Solomon Islands with a declaration for countries to work towards addressing data gaps and aligning with international agreements. A community anti-corruption group says Papua New Guinea's District Development Authorities have not made key documents public and there's concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability when it comes to development funds.
Protestors voice anger over Cook Islands proposal for new passport and secrecy over China deal - ABC Pacific

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

On the program this week: Cook Islands' capital Avarua was the site of political protest this week over a passport proposal and the government's secrecy on its new deal with China. Protections against drug trafficking and climate change could be removed in the northern Pacific as US President Donald Trump's freeze on foreign spending begins. From travel bans to allegations of vote rigging the Pacific's premier beauty pageant featuring eight countries has been chaotic and controversial.
As seas warm from climate change, Pacific countries could lose lucrative tuna stocks - ABC Pacific

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

A historic US$ 109 million grant from the Green Climate Fund and US$ 49 million in co-financing will help scientists study and manage the impact of climate change on tuna stocks. Tuna is a major revenue earner for Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and Palau but in coming decades scientist predict warming oceans will force tuna to migrate east.
Pacific pageant fallout leads to travel ban and police probe

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

On the program:Police are investigating claims of vote rigging at the Miss Pacific Pageant in Solomon Islands which prompted a travel ban against the judges and a near diplomatic incident. Papua New Guinea's national tax office has been hit with a massive cyber attack potentially exposing sensitive data belonging to thousands of people. A motion of no confidence has been filed against Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown in reaction to a controversial agreement with China.
US aid freeze being felt in Pacific communities - ABC Pacific

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Evan Wasuka

On this week's program:US-funded aid organisations across the Pacific say they're scrambling for answers after US President Donald Trump's executive order freezing US aid funding for 90 days. Papua New Guinea has completed seven days of national mourning, culminating in the burial of the man known as the country's last founding father. Eight beauty queens from eight countries are vying for the title of Miss Pacific taking place in the Solomons capital Honiara.