US$59million PNG hospital named after Somare
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape opened the K210 million (US$59 million) Great Chief Somare Memorial Hospital in Wewak, telling the leaders and people of East Sepik “you deserve this for your service”.
AUKUS is going against Pacific nuclear free treaty: Forum chair
Cook Islands Prime Minister and Forum Chair, Mark Brown has joined a growing list of Pacific leaders to object to the US$250 billion nuclear submarine deal between Australia, United Kingdom and the United States
Big picture vision conversations missing in the Pacific
Big picture conversations about the future of the Pacific islands should be happening, but they are not, said one of the region’s foremost commentators in an interview published this week in the Marshall Islands
Guam legislature approves pay raise bill in party-line vote
After three days of marathon special session, Guam senators on Friday night passed an administration-endorsed measure supporting a 22 percent raise to the government’s general pay plan. The amended version of the bill
Vanuatu calls on major polluters to back UN resolution
Vanuatu’s Foreign Minister says it would be “embarrassing” for both China and the United States if they fail to back the Pacific Island nation’s push to get the International Court of Justice to issue a ruling
International football action returns to Oceania
Several international friendlies took place over the last week in Fiji and New Zealand, with some excellent football on display. Fiji hosted a three team tournament, involving Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. In the first
New Caledonia basketballers set for debut at Asia Cup
New Caledonia will make history by playing in basketball’s 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore for the first time. Both its men’s and women’s teams will be taking part in the shortened version of the sport
PNG’s Wigmen named Melanesian Cup champs
Even winning the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup twice in the season 2014 and 2020, the reigning champions Hela Wigmen described this year as ‘special’ for having the feel and taste of playing outside the country, actually
Sprigga Mek soars with conscious rap
Conscious songwriter, indigenous activist, Pacific hip-hop artist, Sprigga Mek (Allan Aufamau), recently saw his work reach a global audience when his music video ‘Dodge the Bullet’ featured at the Mother Tongue
EIB to deepen Pacific footprint
The newly opened European Investment Bank office in Suva will build on pipeline projects, including a planned hydropower plant in Fiji, a major water and sanitation project in Timor-Leste, rehabilitation and greening of
Movers and Shakers
Tonga's parliamentary Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, is the first Pacific Islander to be elected into the board of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Forum of Young Parliamentarians. Fakafanua said his election guarantees
Noumea beaches closed due to shark attacks
Beachgoers in New Caledonia have protested against the closure of Noumea’s swimming beaches until the end of the year. The mayor took the decision ten days ago because of a spate of shark attacks, including the
Eight suspects arrested over PNG meth flight
A Papua New Guinea police officer, a Defence Force soldier from Igam Barracks, and a second Chinese national are among seven more men arrested in Lae over the weekend and are being questioned in relation to the
K2.3billion financial sector crucial: PNG Treasurer
The banking and financial sector accounts for K2.3 billion (US$653 million) of the national economy, according to Papua New Guinea Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey. Ling-Stuckey discussed the banking tax and the economy with
Congresswoman Amata opposes Pacific Remote Islands expansion plan
Closing off more areas around the Pacific Remote Islands would only invite foreign vessels to poach into the U.S. waters, American Samoa delegate Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen said, opposing the Biden administration’s
Threats of sea-level rise very real: Tuvalu Foreign Minister
Legal experts from around the region are gathered in Fiji for the regional conference on Statehood, Protection of Persons affected by sea level rise. The conference was mandated by Forum Leaders recognising the many
Moana Pasifika to clash against the Reds in Samoa
As Samoa gears up to host the Super Rugby match between Moana Pasifika and the Queensland Reds at Apia Park on 14 April this year, tickets are on-sale now starting at $10. Digicel Samoa advertised the tickets on
Super Rugby: Highlanders beat Drua
The injury-hit Highlanders conceded the first try of the match, then scored five of their own in the first half on the way to a 57-24 win over the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby Pacific. Brilliant scrumhalf Frank Lomani
Rugby duo get top recognition at Fiji Sports Awards
Double Olympic Games gold medalist Jerry Tuwai has been named the 2022 Fiji Sports Awards Fiji Tattslotto Sportsman of the Year. This is the second time Tuwai has received this award for his accolades after being named
PNG media under threat
Over his nearly four-year tenure as Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape has continued to trumpet his slogan – “Take Back PNG”. The trademark phrase, which has similar connotations to former U.S
Samoa PM Fiame Mata’afa’s inaugural FDC Pacific Lecture
Talofa Lava and warm Pacific greetings. I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to deliver this Pacific Lecture, as has been the tradition for the Lowy Institute to host world leaders in order to foster positive
No need for Fiji media bill, public consultation told
“We don’t see the need for this bill” was the message of Fiji media veteran, William Parkinson at public submissions on the Media Industry Development Act (MIDA) yesterday. Parkinson, was speaking to a submission
Palau Shipping Registry claims ITF report ‘misleading’
The statistical evidence presented by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) on Palau-flagged vessels is “wholly inaccurate, misinterpreted and clearly misleading”. This was the statement made