Whispers
Biden cancellation disappoints The cancellation of US President Joe Biden’s visit to Papua New Guinea this month was a disappointment for PNG, which has spent months planning the visit. “We are disappointed
Islands Business
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa wants associate member status of the Pacific Islands Forum, after being an observer since 2011. Governor Lemanu Peleti Maunga said it was crucial for American Samoa to push for greater
Movers and Shakers
Viranria Brown is the first woman to be appointed as Vanuatu’s High Commissioner to Fiji since independence. She previously served as the First Secretary to the Vanuatu High Commission in Suva from 2020 to 2023. Fiji
Typhoon Mawar flips cars, cuts power on Guam
Powerful Typhoon Mawar churned slowly over the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam on Thursday, lashing the island with wind and rain, tearing down trees, walls and power lines, flipping cars, and pushing dangerous storm
Tonga undersea volcano eruption disrupted satellite signals halfway around the world, researchers say
A massive undersea volcano that erupted in Tonga last year reportedly disrupted satellite signals halfway around the world. Since then, an international team of researchers has used satellite-and ground-based
Chief is more than just a title, Fiji President tells the GCC
You are here for your people, says Fiji President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. While addressing the members of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), Ratu Wiliame says that, as chiefs, the council should provide the best
Nauru offshore processing to cost Australian taxpayers $485m
Offshore processing on Nauru will cost Australia $485m (US$320 million) this year, despite the fact there are just 22 refugees and asylum seekers left at the Pacific Island’s regional processing centre. Department of
Opinion: Keeping small islands financially afloat
The international community has recognised the special circumstances facing small island developing states, but has done little more to help. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the global financial system, where SIDS
Sector anticipates further reduction in internet costs in PNG
Papua New Guineans will soon enjoy a much lower reduction in internet costs, says the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Timothy Masiu. Masiu said this anticipated reduction in prices is attributed
American Idol: First Pacific winner pays tribute to dad and heritage
Hawai’ian student Iam Tongi has dedicated his historic win at the American Idol to his late father and the Pacific whānau. Tongi, 18, became the first Pasifika to win the international show after performing his
Xanana Gusmao’s party wins Timor-Leste election but falls short of majority
Timor-Leste independence leader Xanana Gusmao’s party has won the parliamentary election but has fallen short of an outright majority. The opposition National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) led with
Palau and U.S. formally sign Compact Review Agreement
Palau and the United States formally signed the Compact Review Agreement in Papua New Guinea this week, witnessed by President Surangel Whipps Jr and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Palau Chief Compact
Guam prepares for possible ‘super-typhoon’
People of Guam have been advised to take precaution as a super-typhoon is expected to hit the island, according to the territory’s National Weather Service. Typhoon Mawar has intensified into a category-4 typhoon.
Economic, geopolitical risks present worldwide: BSP
The world is continuing to present economic and geopolitical risks that impact almost every country, a bank executive says. Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP) Chief Executive Officer Mark Robinson said
Blinken: U.S. aware of Pacific needs
The United States is aware of the needs of its development partners in the Pacific and will set up embassies in all island nations, says secretary of state Antony Blinken. “Work is being done to ensure that the U.S.
Marshall Islands government takes over Bikini operation
Following a week of public demonstrations by members of the displaced Bikini community in Majuro over alleged mismanagement of nuclear test compensation trust funds, the Marshall Islands government placed the
Tokelau: first COVID community case, lockdown imposed
Tokelau has confirmed its first community case of Covid-19 and a lockdown has been imposed. A spokesperson for the government has confirmed to RNZ Pacific the small nation of three atolls announced the first-ever case
“We are victims of global power play” – PNG PM says Pacific islands will rally behind India
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on Monday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Pacific Islands nations consider the Indian premier as the leader of the Global South and will rally behind India’s
Second Compact Review Agreement created fundamental change in Palau/U.S. relationship: Farrow
The second Compact Review Agreement initialed last week by Palau Chief Compact Negotiator Kaleb Udui Jr and U.S. Special Envoy Joseph Yun is the “most significant since the first Compact relationship” with the
Samoan rugby star Apelu Maliko receives two awards in London
Samoan rugby sevens star Vaa Apelu Maliko has received great recognition after winning two awards at the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 in London on Sunday. Scoring an incredible 50 tries across the 11 HSBC
Argentina win in London 7s
Argentina won their third gold medal of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023, beating Fiji 35-14 in the Cup final at Twickenham on Sunday. Fiji opened the scoring in the final but lost Josese Batirerega to a
Pacific Games 2023 Opening Ceremony ‘six months away’
The Solomon Islands stands six months away from the highly anticipated Opening Ceremony of the upcoming Pacific Games. The Games Organising Committee (GOC) in a statement said the country is looking forward to hosting
Aaron Mauger resigns as Moana Pasifika coach
Aaron Mauger has resigned as head coach of Moana Pasifika after two years in the job. Mauger had signed a contract in October 2021 to coach Moana Pasifika for three years, but Stuff NZ understands Mauger informed the
