Answers needed on the Pacific Engagement Visa
Beyond practicalities, it’s unclear whether this is a genuine “Pacific family” partnership or geopolitical convenience? After a recent ministerial meeting, Australia agreed to expedite visa applications from Papua
Vanuatu braces for impending Category 3 cyclone
Vanuatu is bracing for the impact of a Category 2 cyclone, which is expected to intensify to a Category 3 over the course of this week. This was confirmed by Anthony Wong, the Weather Forecaster at the Vanuatu
Drought crisis to continue in Kiribati
Kiribati’s Minister for Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE) has said the current drought crisis affecting Kiribati is projected to continue in the coming months posing risks to health, sanitation and
Worry, frustration as UN tries to finally agree high seas treaty
UN member states have much work to do to finally agree a treaty to protect the high seas before scheduled negotiations close in five days, participants and observers say. After 15 years of formal and informal talks,
700 apply to be PNG teachers
Job scarcity has seen over 700 degree holders from other universities applying to the University of Goroka to become Papua New Guinea teachers so that they can have a permanent job, Vice Chancellor Dr Teng Waninga said.
Council advises President Whipps to fully protect marine sanctuary
In their 16 February 2023 letter to President Surangel Whipps Jr., Palau’s Council of Chiefs (COC) made their case on behalf of the people, that the integrity and full-protection of the territorial waters in the
Researchers held hostage in PNG released
Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has said all hostages taken by a Papua New Guinean criminal gang have been released, including an Australian academic, and will be reunited with their families.
Micronesian nations join UN’s demand for Russia to leave Ukraine
Micronesian nations have joined the international community in demanding Russia’s immediate retreat from Ukraine, one year after Moscow’s invasion which resulted in a protracted war that left tens of
Free Visa access to New Caledonia soon
Vanuatu and New Caledonia are expected to reach a visa waiver agreement soon. This news comes after a meeting between Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Solomon Islands urged to control 2023 Pacific Games spending
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the Solomon Islands to ensure spending on this year’s Pacific Games and the delayed general election are “well controlled to minimise the crowding out of other
Tributes and tears for Professor Brij Lal
It was closure for Professor Brij Lal’s family, as they said their last farewell and finally fulfilled the historian’s dying wish to be laid to rest at his home in Tabia village in northern Fiji on Saturday.
Alleged prisons brutality condemned
Two of Fiji’s government ministers have condemned the alleged assault of a man at the Suva Remand Centre, who was hospitalised with severe injuries. Speaking at the Blackrock Camp, Home Affairs Minister, Pio
Guam, Saipan anticipate surge in travel demand from Japan
Slowing reemerging from their Covid-triggered hiatus, Japanese travelers are getting ready to board the plane again, with Guam and Saipan on top of their destination list this summer. The promising summer travel demand
Seven reasons to get excited about HSBC Los Angeles Sevens
The men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 will reach its halfway point during the HSBC Los Angeles Sevens this weekend. Following five of 11 tournaments, New Zealand lead the standings on 85 points, nine points
Pacific workers well cared for but worried about work
Seasonal workers from the Pacific are bunking in emergency shelters after Cyclone Gabrielle tore through New Zealand’s North Island as they wait to hear if there’s still work available for them. Alusio
PNG Police to ensure safe release of hostages
Papua New Guinea security personnel are authorised to use the full force of the law to secure the people being held in Bosavi, Nipa-Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province, by an armed criminal gang since Sunday, February
Oceania bishops’ assembly spotlights climate crisis
When dozens of Catholic bishops from Oceania gathered in Suva, Fiji, earlier this month, plans to hold a prayer service next to the ocean were derailed by stormy weather, offering a natural illustration of how the very
Ship insurers accused of enabling fishing vessels to ‘go dark’
When it comes to illegal fishing, London’s ancient business of ship insurance may not get much attention. But according to a new complaint, the UK capital’s insurance industry is partly to blame when fishing vessels
Guam, CNMI residents advised to stay vigilant on missile tests
While giving reassurance that North Korea’s latest round of ballistic missile tests posed no immediate threat to Guam and the Northern Marianas, federal and local homeland security officials advised local residents to
Australia scales up security cooperation with Kiribati
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong has announced Australia will rapidly scale up security and development cooperation with the sprawling Pacific Island nation of Kiribati as the federal government tries to ensure
PNG fuel crisis ‘restored temporarily’
The fuel crisis in Papua New Guinea has been restored temporarily after acting Prime Minister John Rosso successfully mediated in a meeting Monday between the Bank of PNG and Puma Energy. Rosso said that the Central
Japan insists release of Fukushima ‘treated’ water is safe
Almost 12 years have passed since the strongest earthquake in Japan’s recorded history resulted in a tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people along its north-east coast. As the country prepares to mark the March 11
Why has a Canadian company partnered with Nauru to fast-track deep sea mining?
Brown-black discharge gushed out of a pipe from a hulking ship, dispersing murky clouds of sediment into the international waters of the Pacific Ocean. The scene, captured in a video that’s garnered international
