Whispers
China Centre curiousity Questions are being asked about the mandate and work of the newly-launched China-Pacific Island Countries Center for Disaster Risk Reduction and Cooperation. Hosted in Jiangmen City, Guangdong
Islands Business
PILNA identifies room for improvement
Pacific Island teachers are satisfied and proud of their work, but many of them have high stress levels. This is one of the newly-released findings of the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) for
Red Cross Leaders: Preparation is key to ensure no-one is left behind
It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a health crisis throughout globally, but throughout this time, Pacific Islands have also been battling natural disasters, brought on by climate change. Recognising this,
Calls for USP to return to glory days
Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy, Professor Biman Prasad, says he expects the University of the South Pacific to exercise its academic freedom and role as a regional leader now that relations have
Can Washington fund its Pacific pledges?
“We have not been sufficiently engaged at a critical time in the Pacific islands. Not only do the Pacific islands face existential threats like climate change and economic dislocation, but clearly they’re being
Probing political analysis needed for 2050 strategy
Work on the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Strategy’s implementation and monitoring plan, and review of regional architecture, would have started after the Strategy was launched at the 51st Pacific Islands Forum Leaders
Australia and NZ sending cyclone relief to Vanuatu
Australia and New Zealand are sending humanitarian supplies to Vanuatu after the nation was hit by two cyclones within days of each other. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced the departure of a Royal New
Historic deal to protect high seas finally reached at UN
It has been almost two decades in the making but on Saturday night in New York, after days of gruelling round-the-clock talks, UN member states finally agreed on a treaty to protect the high seas. A full day after the
Physicality, comradery and challenge: Liz Patu
Liz Patu is a former Australia Wallaroos captain and the most- capped Test player in the team’s history, with 33 international Test matches. The tight-head prop shares some highlights of her journey as she paved the
PNG Hunters overcome Kaiviti Silktails in first Melanesian Bowl
A second half hat-trick by front-rower Junior Rop underpinned the PNG Hunters’ strong 26-12 win over the Kaiviti Silktails to claim the inaugural Melanesian Bowl at Fiji’s Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Saturday. The
Countering China’s Pacific Ambitions
Like empires past, Xi Jinping’s China seeks three grand prizes in the Pacific: wealth, control and presence. Australia and other Pacific nations have recognised the nature and scope of this neocolonial ambition and
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s criminal justice planning agency has been awarded US$431,794 in federal funds for crisis intervention and drug control efforts. Earlier this month, Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs,
Movers and Shakers
The Oceania Customs Organisation has appointed Nancy Tati Oraka-Pomoso to be its Head of Secretariat, who becomes the first female Papua New Guinean to lead the organisation in its 24-year history. She replaces Richard
Palau organisation makes support go a long way
The people of Palau are still picking up the pieces that Super Typhoon Surigae left behind in 2021. Coupled with the impacts of climate change, including ocean acidification, flooding, and coastal erosion, the longer
Honouring the water: Vanuatu’s water drummers
In the land where there are hundreds of indigenous languages, one stands out, the unique language of women’s water drumming, or Ëtëtung. Sandy Sur, manager of the Leweton Culture Village & Magical Water
IHG set to open new hotel in Palau
IHG Hotels & Resorts on Monday signed a management agreement with Palau Coral Club to open a new hotel on Malakal Island. The proposed Hotel Indigo Palau is targeted for opening either in late 2024 or early 2025.
Additional $252m needed to resuscitate economy, says Tonga PM
Tonga’s Prime Minister acknowledged the strong commitment of Tonga’s development partners and donors and said financial assistance is still needed to ensure a prosperous Tonga, on opening the Development
Indonesia vows restraint as troops surround rebels holding NZ pilot
Security forces in Indonesia’s restive Papua region have surrounded separatists holding captive a New Zealand pilot, but will exercise restraint while negotiations for his release continue, a top security official
UN head says high seas treaty must be ‘ambitious’
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urged countries Wednesday to agree a “robust and ambitious” treaty to protect the high seas, as time starts to run out for negotiators. After 15 years of formal and informal
Kina Bank recorded net profit of K106 million last year
Papua New Guinea’s Kina Bank recorded a net profit of K106.1 million (US$30.1 million) last year — an increase of 11 percent compared to the previous corresponding period. Managing director and chief executive
CEO Alabaster exits Air Niugini
Papua New Guinea’s national airline company Air Niugini Limited’s chief executive officer Bruce Alabaster has stepped down from his position. Air Niugini chairman Sir Kostas Contantinou announced that Alabaster
Establishment of Cook Islands Human Rights Institute gains momentum
Cook Islands Ombudsman Niki Rattle has returned from a conference in Fiji with fresh ideas as the office looks to establish a Human Rights Institute for the Cook Islands. The Pacific Regional Forum on National Human
New Pacific air route lands in Palau
There is excitement in the air in Palau as the first flight of a weekly service from Australia kicks off. Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr said flights connecting Brisbane to Palau through PNG began on
