Tropical Cyclone Lola develops into category 5 super storm
Tropical Cyclone Lola has strengthened to a category 5 super cyclone, the Fiji Meteorological Service says. A category 5 cyclone means average winds will surpass 198km/h. Residents on Vanuatu’s north-eastern
Governor worried about Guam’s security amid burgeoning regional tensions
Investing in Guam infrastructure will boost the island’s resilience amid the growing threats of geopolitical conflicts in which the territory is strategically positioned on the front line, according to Governor Lou
Labor accused of ‘outrageous secrecy’ as border force confirms 11 asylum seekers sent to Nauru
The Australian Border Force has confirmed it sent 11 asylum seekers to Nauru in September, the first transfer to immigration detention on the Pacific nation in nine years. The evidence to Senate estimates on Monday from
Organisations call for swift ratification and implementation of BBNJ Treaty
The European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) are calling for a rapid ratification and implementation of the BBNJ Agreement to address the triple planetary crisis of
Albanese to urge Joe Biden to ‘step up’ in the Pacific
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will urge U.S. President Joe Biden to remain focused on the Indo-Pacific region as the war between Israel and Hamas intensifies. The prime minister flew out for Washington on
Pacific Islands urge global leaders to seize a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to halt the plastics crisis
Pacific Islands nations are calling on world leaders to commit to an ambitious global plastic treaty modelled along the lines of the hugely successful Montreal Protocol which tackled the issue of ozone layer depletion.
Fall of a Fijian trafficker exposes previous government’s blind eye to meth
The imprisonment of a prominent Fijian businessman on drug charges is just one sign of the Pacific island country’s increasing role as an international trafficking hub. Key Findings: Until recently, Aiyaz
Pacific women face most discrimination in legal profession, survey finds
The Pacific Lawyers Association is concerned Pacific women are the most discriminated against group within the legal profession in New Zealand. The NZ Law Society has just released a new legal workplace survey which
Ash clouds detected in Tonga’s Home Reef area
Six volcanic eruptions were detected from active Home Reef volcano in the last 24 hours, and volcanic ash was observed by satellites, Tonga Geological Services reported today, advising the Aviation Community. “to
U.S., Marshall Islands finally seal a new deal under COFA
After months of thorny negotiations that almost broke down at certain points, the United States and the Marshall Islands have finally signed a new 20-year agreement to renew the economic provisions of the Compact of
More Australians, Solomons, Vanuatu, return from Israel
About 200 Australians and their family members are back in the country after leaving Israel and arriving on a government-assisted flight. A Qantas flight landed in Sydney on Wednesday evening with 126 Australian
New Australian Pacific visa scheme gets green light
Thousands of Pacific islanders will be offered a path to Australian life after a government effort to boost regional employment and address shortages was given the green light. Immigration Minister Andrew Giles secured
Abandon fossil fuels: UN SG told world leaders
UN Secretary General António Guterres has urged leaders “to ensure that projects deliver the green, sustainable infrastructure countries need to support people and ecosystems alike, while breaking free of failed
Opinion: Pacific Engagement Visa legislation finally through
After months of uncertainty, yesterday the legislation required to implement the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) passed through the Australian Senate, with the Greens and other crossbenchers providing the numbers the
Samoa Minister says no to ‘marijuana export’
Samoan Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is opposed to any moves to promote the medicinal use of marijuana, saying it will not happen any time. The views of La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt were sought on
NIWA warns of stronger cyclones in the Pacific
Stronger tropical cyclones and more of them are forecast for the upcoming South Pacific season which runs from November to April. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) in New Zealand expects
Pacific leaders disappointed over Australia’s Voice referendum outcome
Pacific leaders have expressed disappointment after Australia voted against altering its constitution to create an Indigenous voice to Parliament over the weekend. Had it won, the referendum would have established a
China’s Xi supports stronger international role for Papua New Guinea
China’s President Xi Jinping said the country supports Papua New Guinea in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and is willing to strengthen ties. Xi made the comments in a meeting with
13 Samoan pilgrims safely evacuated from Israel
The last group of Samoans in Israel were safely evacuated from Jerusalem to Dubai, Tuesday. The Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a media statement that 13 Samoans boarded the Australian air force flight
U.S., Marshall Islands sign security deal that will limit China’s access to Western Pacific
The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the U.S. signed agreements Monday that will give Washington a stronger presence in the Western Pacific and the right to deny China and other nations access to the islands’
Tonga’s Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala nominated to lead WHO Western Pacific Region
Tonga’s Minister for Health, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala has been nominated as the next World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific. His candidacy was successful at the WHO Regional
Opinion: The Pacific’s carbon credit market – promise and challenge
The global thrust towards sustainability is irrefutable. From the vantage point of Pacific Island Countries (PICs), we’re poised at the forefront of a market with vast potential: the carbon credit market. As the
Run for your life, Fiji NDMO Director tells students
Siren sounds blared across the Suva harbour today which prompted civilians of all ages to head to higher ground. Students and teachers from six nearby schools held hands and swiftly made their way to one of the
