Solomon Islands ratifies Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Solomon Islands has ratified the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) last Friday, 20 January 2023 – the 14th Pacific Island nation to join. The ratification was marked with a ceremony at United
Australia to fast-track purchase of ‘smart sea mines’ to protect maritime routes
Australia will accelerate plans to buy advanced sea mines to protect its maritime routes and ports from “potential aggressors” amid China’s growing influence in the Pacific region. The so-called smart
Cooks’ PM vows to change law as parliament delayed by petitions
The new Cook Islands Parliament has still not held a sitting, despite its general election taking place more than five months ago. It will not sit until March at the earliest. The country is waiting for the outcome of
Five months of Vanuatu court data lost in ransomware attack
2022 was a solid year for the Vanuatu Courts, but the unexpected ransomware attack on the Vanuatu Government network impacted the courts and other government agencies, preventing access to their systems over two months
Jacinda Ardern announces resignation as prime minister
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today has announced her resignation stating she will not be seeking re-election this year and her last day as prime minister is February 7. Ardern said she reflected over the
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to New Zealand
The world’s best men’s and women’s rugby sevens players will return to action in New Zealand for the first time in 1,091 days following a three-year absence as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 continues in
China builds stadium for Pacific Games 2023
Papua New Guinea’s commitment of K50 million (US$14.2 million) towards assisting with the 2023 Pacific Games infrastructure has not been honoured according to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s Office. Despite not
Japan offers to meet Pacific leaders over ocean dumping plan
A month away from the expected discharge of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, Japan has offered to meet a high-level delegation from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in its attempt to assure that the
PNG: Election of Governor-General will be held today
Papua New Guinea’s election of a new Governor-General will be held in Parliament today, with three candidates including a woman in the running. They are the incumbent Sir Bob Dadae, lawyer Stephen Pokawin and
‘Every election is important’: Tokelau prepares to hit the polls
For the first time in Tokelau’s history, all three atolls will take part in the same electoral process. Voting for the 2023 general election is on January 26. “Every election is important. It is important we
PNG MP lauds Australia commitment
Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru has welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to work with Papua New Guinea on the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Maru in his meeting
New Guam bill seeks to rein in the governor’s emergency powers
In yet another attempt to clip the governor of Guam’s emergency powers, Senator Chris Duenas Tuesday introduced a bill that would authorise the legislature to terminate a public health emergency declaration. Bill 7-37
Recruitment of Indonesians in MSG would be ‘unfair’, says Wenda
Vanuatu Free West Papua Association (VFWPA) has threatened to stage a peaceful demonstration if the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat in Port Vila pursues its plan to recruit Indonesians. Amid Daily Post’s
Two Kiribati fishermen successfully rescued at sea
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has successfully located two Kiribati fishermen who had been missing at sea for six days. The two men, according to a brief statement, were found in their dinghy shortly after arriving in
Over half-a-million tickets sold for FIFA Women’s World Cup
As preparations for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand reach their final stages, FIFA has announced that more than 500,000 tickets have already been sold — but don’t fear, more are on
Australia is finalising a new security pact with PNG
The leaders of Australia and neighboring Papua New Guinea said last Thursday they are finalising a new security treaty — a move that comes as a challenge to China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Last year,
Pacific leaders to identify the next PIF Secretary General soon
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) says it will continue to ‘offer an olive branch to Kiribati’ as the five-member Micronesia nation grouping prepares to name a candidate to replace Henry Puna as Secretary
The late Brij Lal to finally return home
After 12 years in exile, the late Professor Brij Vilash Lal is returning home to Tabia in the Fijian province of Macuata on Saturday, February 25. Funeral rituals will be held at Tabia Sanatan College from 12.30-2pm
The power of one vote: Fiji PM Rabuka
Fiji’s new Prime Minister visited parliament in his new capacity this week. “The Honourable Speaker and I were both voted into office by the power of one vote,” he reminded parliamentary staff. “When you
Owen soars high with Solomon Airlines
Solomon Airlines has promoted one of its female pilots to Captain the national carrier’s largest domestic aircraft – Dash 8. Lyndah Tito Owen was Dash 8 First Officer before officially receiving her Captain’s
Fiji Votes For Change
On Christmas Eve, Fijians at home and abroad paused in their Christmas preparations to watch the country’s newly-minted parliamentarians vote for their new Prime Minister. It followed days of delicate negotiations
Fiji votes: MOG explains limits of its mandate
The Multinational Observer Group (MOG) monitoring the Fiji election says it did not observe any significant irregularities or issues during pre-polling, postal voting or election day voting. However, some political
Whispers
RSE scrutiny In New Zealand, a report by Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo into the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme has prompted the country’s immigration