Expanding financial inclusion in Fiji
To make everyday bank transactions easier, Fiji has published its National Payment System Act 2021 and Regulations 2022 in the National Gazette, becoming effective September 30. This marks a critical milestone in
Nauru cabinet sworn into office
Nauru’s newly-elected cabinet ministers have been sworn into office for the next three years. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony today, Russ Joseph Kun, Nauru’s new president who gained his seat unopposed,
Pacific Community’s Agricultural Gene Bank wins Global Award
The Pacific region, where most people depend on agriculture and fisheries for sustenance and income, is now one step ahead in food security, Inter Press Service reports. The region’s agricultural gene bank,
Tonga lifts most COVID health restrictions
After two-years and six-months, Tonga has lifted most of its COVID-19 health restrictions, including that for international travel and the national curfew, effective from September 27. The border has now fully
Telikom PNG makes K28million profit
Telikom PNG Limited, in which the two major superannuation funds are planning to own more than 50 per cent shares, has recorded a K28 million (US$7.9 million) profit in the last financial year. Telikom paid shareholder
Deadline abandoned to re-start New Caledonia dialogue
In a major policy shift for New Caledonia, France’s new Overseas Minister has abandoned the 18-month deadline for a referendum to replace the Noumea Accord. During a five-day visit to New Caledonia between 11-15
Pacific Fusion Centre considers security beyond geo-politics
Since their appointments as Director and Associate Director of the Pacific Fusion Centre last year, James Movick and Anna Naupa have fielded many questions about the role of the Centre: How does it work alongside
From terrestrial to satellites: Fong’s career reaches new heights
It was a keen "interest in technical things" very early on in life that drew Ivan Fong to the field of engineering. "Taking things apart, putting them back together and seeing if you can do something yourself" came as
Deep Sea Mining pilot gets go ahead
Piloting of deep sea mining by the Metals Company has been given the green light by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This follows the ISA’s review of an environmental impact statement (EIS) and environmental
Look north to PNG, Fiji urged
The Papua New Guinea economy is expected to “double in size in the next 10 years” says ANZ Pacific Economist, Dr Kishti Sen. And that is a huge opportunity for Fiji and other Pacific Island economies. While Dr Sen
Fiji 2022 Elections: crucial for the Pacific
Fiji soon goes to the polls for the 2022 General Elections. There are two major candidates vying for Prime Ministership, both former coup leaders. Sitiveni Rabuka (Peoples’ Alliance Party) who did the country’s
Pacific Regionalism and Astronomy
The ‘2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent’ was launched at the 51st Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting held in Suva on 11-14 July 2022. At the welcoming ceremony, Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair, PM
Whispers
Meth concerns downplayed Fiji Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho denies Fiji’s meth problem is getting out of control. The Commissioner was responding to criticisms by opposition MP, Pio Tikoduadua,
Ngaire Fuata: from chart topping singer to filmmaker
“When I started doing music here in New Zealand 32 years ago, it was a pretty lonely place for a young Pacific Island woman,” says Pacific creative powerhouse, Ngaire Fuata. But the New Zealander persevered and has
Russ Kun elected unopposed as Nauru president
Russ Kun is the newly elected president of Nauru, nominated unopposed in the inaugural sitting of the 24th Parliament, Wednesday. Marcus Stephen was re-elected as the Speaker of Parliament and former president Lionel
Samoa economy in ‘historical-high’ recession
Samoa has recorded a historical-high recession in the FY2021 with the country’s border closure resulting in a sharp contraction of tourism, says the World Bank. In its 2022 Economic Update for the Pacific Islands
PNG offers gas field priority to Japan for energy security
Papua New Guinea offered Japanese companies favoured access to new gas field development opportunities and liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing projects in trade talks on Tuesday that focused on energy security, PNG
Samoa name powerful World Cup squad
Toa Samoa‘s World Cup credentials have been underlined by the inclusion of eight players from the Penrith and Parramatta grand final teams in a powerful squad announced on Tuesday. Samoa are the first Pacific
PNG ‘extremely frustrated’ over extradition request for Samson Jubi
A Papua New Guinea government minister and top justice officials say they are “extremely frustrated” with Australia for harbouring a Cairns resident wanted for one of the biggest alleged frauds in the
Over 70 seats disputed in PNG Election
A massive 74 out of 118 seats that were contested in the Papua New Guinea 2022 General Election (NGE) have been disputed and are now before the National Court to determine the results. This is the second highest number
217 applicants for Vanuatu snap election
At least 217 individuals have applied to contest the upcoming Vanuatu snap election. Deputy Principal Electoral Officer (PEO), Gary Tavoa, confirmed this was the total number of applications they received out from over
Briefs
American Samoa American Samoa has received two federal grants for its criminal justice system. The Byrne Grant – totalling US$467,587 – is to aid court efforts and crime prevention programs within the territory. The
Movers and Shakers
Sen. Aren B. Palik has been sworn in as the Federated States of Micronesia's vice president, succeeding Yosiwo George who passed away last month. Palik was the president of the Pacific Islands Development Bank, a