Low measles immunisation in Pacific, WHO warns
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it’s working with local and international consultants to promote Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines in the Pacific. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage
Commercial banks in PNG oppose new increase in tax
Two major commercial banks in Papua New Guinea have opposed the 45 percent tax on the banking sector to come into effect next year. BSP Financial Group Limited chief executive officer, Robin Fleming said as BSP
PNG Govt pass US$6.8 billion budget
Another year, another record deficit budget for Papua New Guinea. On Tuesday, Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey presented his long awaited 2023 money plan to Parliament – with a price tag of K24 billion (US$6.8 billion).
Final defects programme to ‘complete’ US$56m Raratonga project
The final defects programme for the Rarotonga water project should be completed in December, bringing an end to the “nearly” $90 million (US$56 million) project. Financial secretary Garth Henderson told Cook Islands
Fiji 2022 elections: Pre-Poll voting begins December 5th
The Fijian Elections Office has announced today Pre-Poll Voting for the 2022 Fiji General Election begins from Monday, December 5, 2022. Fiji’s Electoral Act allows for votes to be cast early in remote locations
Australia’s Team Up expanding to Pacific Games host city
A sports development programme, ran by the Australian Government, is expanding to the Solomon Islands prior to the 2023 Pacific Games. Team Up, comprising of more than 30 partnerships across the Asia-Pacific, aims to
PNG Parliament to consider use of three main languages
The National Parliament will consider allowing the translation of parliamentary proceedings, Assistant Speaker Agena Gamai said. Gamai said in response to questions without notice from Morobe Governor Luther Wenge to
StarKist Samoa to hire Samoan graduates
Starkist Samoa is targeting students graduating from Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) at the National University of Samoa (NUS). Samoa’s government owned newspaper reported that a partnership to
Mauna Loa: World’s largest active volcano erupts in Hawaii
The world’s largest active volcano, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, has erupted for the first time in almost 40 years. The lava flow is mostly contained within the summit, but residents have been placed on alert and
Pacific Tuna fisheries may lose certification, MSC warns
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has warned 33 MSC-certified tuna fisheries in the region may lose certification if the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) fails to adopt management measures of
Damages from Solomon Islands earthquake reach US$223,858
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands last Tuesday has left an estimated total loss of roughly around $1.85 million (US$223,858.48) from damages it caused to buildings in Honiara. This
Niue Premier indicates an early general election in 2023
Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi has indicated his preference for an early election in the first quarter of next year. Speaking on News of the Week programme on Friday, Premier Tagelagi said he intends to invoke article 26
WCPFC meet after three years due to COVID-19
The Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Feleti Teo says the Commission was severely challenged to adapt and to adjust to a new working environment dictated by the
Vanuatu Citizenship programme under investigation
New locks have been installed on doors at the Citizenship Office in Port Vila as the Vanuatu Government initiates an investigation into the lucrative Citizenship Programme. This was disclosed by Prime Minister Ishmael
Marstella Jack is PIANGO’s New Board Chair
The Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisation (PIANGO) convened its Council after it was delayed from 2019 due to COVID-19 threats. Twenty of the 24-member country representatives of PIANGO network
Samoan weightlifters smash Oceania records
Two Samoan weightlifters have set new Oceania records at the New Zealand national championships in Mt Maunganui. Don Opeloge, who is the 2022 Commonwealth Games Gold medalist in the men’s 96kg class, set three new
Bi-partisan Parliament committee to better PNG electoral process
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape wants a bi-partisan parliamentary committee to work immediately on a submission to go before cabinet next year 2023, on how to improve the country’s electoral process. With
Team Palacios-Apatang wins CNMI runoff election
The Independent tandem of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and running mate Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang defeated the Republican team of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan in the CNMI’s
‘I hope they open their ears and listen to us’: Tuvalu at INC1 Forum
Pacific delegates attending the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC1) to negotiate a global legally binding instrument on plastics, have embraced the opportunity to share perspectives with
Legal bodies ‘deeply concerned’ over Fiji lawyer case
International legal bodies are “deeply concerned” over the Attorney-General of Fiji’s legal pursuit against Fijian lawyer Richard K. Naidu, calling for the judiciary to uphold the Rule of Law and set aside the
Visa on arrival in PNG for Melanesian countries
Solomon Islands nationals and nationals of other Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) countries can now get their visa on arrival when travelling to Papua New Guinea. This came after the PNG government formally declared the
Tonga volcanic eruption reshaped Pacific seafloor
Scientists say they are stunned by what they’ve learnt about the ferocity of the Tonga volcanic eruption in January. When the underwater mountain blew its top, it sent ash and water-vapour half-way to space, and
Fiji marks first Corporate Bond Offer under new regulations
Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL) last week opened a Wholesale Corporate Bond offer of F$30 million, stating it marks a major step forward in efforts to diversify the nation’s financial market. It is the first bond offer