Palau President Whipps to join Micronesian Presidents this month
President Surangel Whipps Jr is meeting other four Micronesian Presidents on 13-17 February for the first face-to-face Micronesian Presidents Summit meeting since the one held in Palau in 2020 where the Mekreos
Minister Conroy wants AusAID to regain prominence within DFAT
Australia’s International Development Minister Pat Conroy says he wants development specialists to “take over” the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), in another sign he’s intent on
Palau Senate bill eyes changes in labour law
The Palau Senate is eyeing amendments in the existing labour law to allow for a more “progressive labor workforce.” Senate Bill No. 11-82, which was on first reading and referred to a Senate Committee for further
USP Vice Chancellor Professor Ahluwalia back in Fiji
University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Vice Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia is back in Fiji. Professor Ahluwalia was welcomed at the Nadi Airport this morning by students and staff from USP. He
Tui Kamikamica inks new deal with Melbourne Storm
Fijian forward Tui Kamikamica has re-signed with the Melbourne Storm on a two-year deal until the end of 2025. The 17-Test veteran has played 71 NRL games for the Storm since making his debut in 2017.
New Zealand pilot taken hostage by Papuan rebels
A New Zealand pilot has been taken hostage while flying in the Papua province of Indonesia. Phillip Mark Mehrtens, was abducted by separatist fighters when they stormed his small commercial plane and set it alight after
Pacific proposal calls for high price on shipping emissions
Pacific nations this week have lodged new submissions at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), calling for a high price on GHG emissions. According to the Micronesian Centre for Sustainable Transport (MCST),
Accepting Indonesia into MSG was a mistake: Natuman
Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman says allowing Indonesia, by former Prime Minister Sato Kilman into the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) was a mistake. “We (Melanesians) have a moral obligation to support
Cook Islands new Ombudsman to form human rights institute
Cook Islands new Ombudsman will head to Fiji to continue with efforts in forming a Human Rights Institute. Ombudsman Niki Rattle said the policy document to support the legislative amendments of the Ombudsman Bill to
Vanuatu regulates cultivation of cannabis and hemp
The regulations for the importation, cultivation, processing and export of medical cannabis and industrial hemp in Vanuatu were officially signed Wednesday. A person or business wanting to legally cultivate cannabis and
NZ intercepts US$315m worth of cocaine floating in Pacific Ocean
New Zealand authorities have found a record-breaking amount of cocaine floating in Pacific waters, which they say was bound for Australia and would have been enough to supply the country for a year. The 3.2-tonne haul
Improve PNG trade standards: Minister Maru
More effort and focus need to be put into improving standards and requirements for PNG products to be sold on international markets, says International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru. Maru was comparing
Vanuatu hopes to rebuild parliament of chiefs
Vanuatu’s government has vowed to rebuild the paramount meeting place of the country’s chiefs before the Pacific island nation hosts a Melanesian arts festival in July. The structure, known as Malvatumauri Nakamal,
Napat wants ‘yes or no’ answer on West Papua application
Vanuatu’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jotham Napat, said he is considering visiting Suva, Honiara and Port Moresby to personally get a “yes or no” answer on application by the United Liberation Movement of West
Parties to the Nauru Agreement set to open new HQ in Majuro
The capital of the Marshall Islands, Majuro, will host the first in-person annual meeting of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) since 2019 when the powerful fisheries organisation convenes on Monday. To coincide
PNG MP Duma wins second massive defamation law suit
An Australian media company, Fairfax Media Publications, has again been ordered to pay a Papua New Guinean MP a massive AUD$545,000 (US$379,235) as damages for defamatory articles that were published in its newspaper
UN House will bolster Fiji’s image as hub of the Pacific: Vosarogo
The construction of a United Nations House in Fiji will bolster our image as the hub of the South Pacific, says Filimoni Vosarogo, Fiji’s Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources. Vosarogo made these remarks
Tonga MPs debate on domestic airline licensing
A heated discussion between members of Tongan parliament over a request of endorsement from REALTonga Airlines went nowhere on Monday this week. The discussion began when Tongatapu 5 People’s Representative, Hon. Dr
Air Kiribati to purchase Twin Otter in a US$6.5 million deal
The Kiribati Government Tuesday signed a US$6.5million deal with AEVEX Aerospace – IKHANA Aircraft Services for the purchase of a Twin Otter (MSN 718). Kiribati Minister for Information, Communication,
Fijian Drua winger Habosi’s contract terminated
The Fijian Drua have terminated the contract of superstar winger Vinaya Habosi, effective immediately. Habosi was the breakout star of Super Rugby Pacific, with the 23-year-old’s lighting pace on the wing
PNG population outgrows job market: Barker
Papua New Guinea’s population has outgrown the number of jobs in the formal employment space, according to the country’s Institute of National Affairs (INA) executive director, Paul Barker. Barker said the
USP Cook Islands director welcomes Fiji funding
University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands Director Dr Debi Futter-Puati is pleased to hear the newly elected Fiji Government will release funds to the institution. Dr Futter-Puati said the impact of the
Looking at Palau’s approach to the compact negotiation
In September 2021, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr told world leaders at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly that the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the United States has led to