New images from inside Fukushima reactor spark safety worry
Images captured by a robotic probe inside one of the three melted reactors at Japan’s wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant showed exposed steel bars in the main supporting structure and parts of its thick
USA disagrees with Vanuatu-led climate resolution
The United States one of the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has disagreed with the Vanuatu-led resolution of seeking an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the states’
Vanuatu ‘still struggling’ with cyclone aftermath
Save the Children says about half of Vanuatu’s population is still struggling to access safe drinking water and nutritious food in the wake of the Category Four cyclones Judy and Kevin, which hit the island nation in
BPNG to discontinue private sector cheques in December
The Bank of PNG will discontinue the use of private sector cheques by 31 December 2023. The National Payments Council (NPC), chaired by the acting Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), has announced that
Eight jailed for cocaine washed up on Tongan beach
Eight Tongans in Vava’u were sentenced to between three years to 13.5 years’ imprisonment for their opportunistic roles in handling blocks of cocaine from a large shipment, found washed up on ‘Otualea Beach
Four dead, 17 injured in PNG earthquake
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake which hit East Sepik’s Chambri Lakes at around 4am Monday reportedly killed four people, injured 17 and destroyed more than 300 homes, according to Papua New Guinea police. Provincial police
Cop28 host UAE tried to weaken global shipping climate ambition
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) tried to weaken global shipping’s climate target last week, sparking fears that it will lack ambition as host of the Cop28 climate summit. According to four sources in the room, the UAE
Cook Islands pressing ahead with environment policy
It’s a document which received applause from Cook Islands environmentalists and school students alike when it was launched last week. The Cook Islands National Environment Policy 2022-32 is an attempt to ‘escalate
PNG assesses damage after powerful earthquake
Disaster relief workers in Papua New Guinea were assessing the extent of damage in a remote region Monday following a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Some buildings and homes were destroyed near the quake’s
More Pacific NRL stars opt to play for their homelands
With this year’s National Rugby League (NRL) season now up and running, the prevalence of Pacific players in the tournament is again obvious to see. All NRL teams now feature stars with Pacific heritage –
Barrick finalises deal to restart PNG gold mine
Barrick Gold Corp is set to restart operations at one of its biggest gold mines after inking a deal with Papua New Guinea’s government over its shuttered mine in the southwest Pacific island nation. The world’s
BSP ‘has standing’ in tax case in PNG
The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has ruled that the Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP) has standing to pursue a case challenging the constitutionality of the “additional company tax”. A five-man
Tourism is a vital sector of Vanuatu’s economy: Seremaiah
Vanuatu’s Minister of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business, Matai Seremaiah, has welcomed the reinstatement of Virgin Australia Airline’s scheduled services to Vanuatu after its last flight on 15
Vanuatu reviews immigration and labour policies
Vanuatu’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) is undertaking a comprehensive review of immigration and labour policies and legislation to create a system that is attractive to investors and benefits the private
Deep-sea mining meeting closes without consensus
As meetings to oversee deep-sea mining on the high seas draw to a close, it remains unclear whether regulators will allow it to commence in the near future. At the 07-31 March meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, of the
First Drua double header at home ‘a success’
The first Drua double header at home was a tremendous success. The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua took to the field first at the HFC Bank Stadium and they were quick to pounce on the Melbourne Rebels women right from the
USP graduation exemplifies excellence
Regional students share their experiences Over 1,786 tertiary students received their accreditation at the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) first graduation ceremony for 2023, with 61% of those graduating being
World Bank opens new regional office in FSM
The World Bank has officially opened a permanent office in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, following several years of an expanding presence and portfolio across the North Pacific. The new regional hub
Geostrategic competition in the Indo-Pacific calls for smarter development financing
A former Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) official and Asian Development Bank senior economist has authored a report that warns Australia and the European Union (EU) must address the “long-standing”
UN backs landmark Pacific-led climate resolution
The United Nations has adopted a landmark resolution asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to deliver an opinion on climate change and the legal consequences countries face for harming the environment. It is
Use of automated systems boosts revenue in Tuvalu
Tuvalu has increased revenue by 20% after automating its customs management systems. Paperless customs procedures have really made it simpler for traders in Tuvalu, says Sania Teisini, Director of Tuvalu’s Revenue
Albanese government faces decisions on coalmines
The Albanese government could have to make decisions on whether to approve up to 28 coalmine developments that would make it harder to meet targets set under its newly approved climate policy, according to a new
PNG drugs suspects remanded
A Lae district court in Papua New Guinea has rejected bail for an expatriate and six Papua New Guineans implicated in the K35 million (US$9.9 million) methamphetamine bust in Lae last Tuesday. All seven, appearing from
