Palau’s microplastic crisis, study shows
A new study conducted by marine scientists found plastic waste has polluted islands, reefs and beaches of the island nation of Palau. Researchers from the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and the Center
First COVID outbreak in FSM ‘causing alarm’
Micronesia’s first outbreak of COVID-19 grew in one week to more than 1,000 cases by Tuesday, causing alarm in the Pacific island nation. Last week, FSM became possibly the final nation in the world with a
Palau’s new tax law to cause ‘substantial impact’: Kyota
The Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) has expressed concerns on the country’s new tax law on goods and services. PPUC says the Palau Goods and Services Tax (PGST), going into effect on January 1, 2023,
Forum stabilises, but hard problems remain
It was a busy time in Suva this month, as Presidents and Prime Ministers arrived in the Fijian capital for the 51st Pacific Islands Forum. Well, most of them – the absence of key Micronesian leaders and the withdrawal
Whispers
Communique semantics New Caledonia's delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting was not impressed when Australian officials tried to water down a resolution at the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting,
“We want to engage with our neighbours”
New Caledonia at the Pacific Islands Forum “The future of New Caledonia is not in Europe – the future of New Caledonia is in the Pacific region.” That’s President Louis Mapou, the first pro-independence Kanak
PNG’s election woes
PNG: As Papua New Guineans followed the counting for the Port Moresby Northwest Seat this week, they were shocked to see a video of a machete-wielding mob attacking two men across the road from the counting centre.
Pirate Queens
The Seaka II pioneers When the ‘Seaka Pirates’ all-female deck crew cast off on their first fishing trip on a tuna longline vessel last month, they were fulfilling the ambitions of a program devised by the Pacific
A new chapter for tuna treaty
The United States has pledged to almost triple its funding to the region under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty. “I feel excited,” said Forum Fisheries Agency Director General, Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen,
Skilled workers shortage worry
A growing shortage of skilled workers in Fiji is causing concern among members of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), and they want Government to increase the number of countries covered under its
