Opinion: High-stakes drama in Marshall Islands or just another day at the office?
A word of free advice: if you’re going to try to bribe legislators to create a special zone to attract at best suspicious investment, don’t do it as an officer of a non-governmental organisation you formed in the
PNG Court orders Govt premises unlocked
The Mexican standoff over the closure of PNG government offices due to nonpayment of rentals has ended. The National Court last Friday ordered landlord Nambawan Supa Limited to remove all locks to Vulupindi Haus,
PNG Govt kicked out of premises
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape’s whirlwind four-nation tour did not end with the best homecoming he expected. He arrived home Wednesday to be greeted with news that his ministry, National Planning
Biden Administration vows to renew Compacts with Palau, FSM and RMI
The Biden administration has committed to renewing the Compacts of Free Association, with Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. The promise of renewal of the partnership agreements from the United
Major powers question Marshall Islands nuclear legacy bid
Nuclear powers have criticised an effort led by the Marshall Islands at the United Nations to seek help on dealing with the consequences of nuclear testing, sources following the talks involving countries including the
PNG Chief Justice steps down from official duties
Papua New Guinea Justice Minister and Attorney, General Pila Niningi has announced that PNG Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika has stepped down from official duties for an indefinite period, as of Wednesday October 5,
Three more NZ judges to face tribunal in Kiribati
Kiribati will put another three New Zealand judges before a tribunal for misconduct, as New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta warns of “constitutional issues” in the Pacific nation. The Kiribati government has
Kiribati welcomes resumed airline service
The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement by Nauru Airlines to resume its Island Hopper Service from October 16. This service last operated in March 2020, prior to the COVID-19 international
Opinion: A new climate for Australian aid
Australia has just been found to have failed to adequately protect the rights of Torres Strait Islanders from the impacts of climate change. In a landmark ruling, the UN Human Rights Committee heard arguments from
Opinion: More of the same is not the answer to building influence in the Pacific
Following almost a decade of geopolitically driven “stepping up”, ‘uplifting’, ‘resetting’, and “stepping up across the board”, it appears that Western governments believe more of the same will achieve
State debt is K51billion, says BPNG
Papua New Guinea’s total debt at the end of June was K51billion (US$14 billion), which is expected to increase to K54 billion (US$15 billion) by the end of the year, according to the Bank of PNG. The K54 billion
Probe on PNG election officials
Papua New Guinea Police are investigating the conduct of some election managers and returning officers for election-related offences during the 2022 PNG General Election, says Director of Crimes Joel Simatab. Simatab
VT150 million for Vanuatu snap election
The total budget to run the upcoming Vanuatu snap election is VT150 million (US$1.2 million), Electoral Commission Chairman, Edward Kaltamat confirmed. In addition to that, the Australian government has also stepped in
Marshall Islands takes U.S nuclear legacy to Human Rights Council
Health and environmental problems linger on decades after the United States detonated 67 nuclear bombs in the Marshall Islands. It will be the second environment-related initiative that the small island country
Guam to join Pacific Islands Forum
Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has announced that Guam would apply for membership in the Pacific Islands Forum. “The Pacific Islands Forum is seen as the united front for all the Pacific island leaders,” she said
Opinion: Bougainville signals tough line on independence
In the last 100 years we have had to endure hardships from oppressive regimes who sought to take away our resources, our rights and even our lives. Our struggle for independence has been a long one. In 2019, a
PNG Govt in talks with global credit agencies
Papua New Guinea’s Government is in talks with the global credit rating agencies, S&P Global and Moodys in an effort to lower the country’s credit rating. Minister for Treasury Ian Ling-Stuckey said PNG has
FijiKava eyes U.S. expansion after acquiring Leilo
FijiKava has executed an agreement to acquire ready-to-drink kava brand Leilo in the United States. The company will acquire 100 percent of Leilo stock in a share swap transaction, which will give it access to Leilo’s
Gaston Flosse given suspended prison sentence
French Polynesia’s former president and veteran politician, Gaston Flosse has been given a suspended prison sentence for producing a fake contract to register as a Papeete voter. The criminal court gave him a
Solomon Islands may remain least developed till 2024: Manele
Solomon Islands may not shed its least-developed country status by the 2024 target after suffering economic setbacks, Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele said Monday. More than 40 countries are classified by the UN as
Tonga and PNG announce World Cup line-ups
Titans forward David Fifita is expected to pull on a Tonga jersey for the first time in next weekend’s World Cup (RLWC) warm-up match against France in England. Fifita is one of 21 NRL stars in the 24-man Mate
Solomon Islands Provident Fund to pay $77.5m to members
Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has awarded a 2.65 per cent interest to its members for the financial year 2021 to 2022. Supervising Finance minister Dr Culwick Togamana announced the rating saying the
PNG Govt position on Bougainville
Bougainville’s push for independence has hit a constitutional snag with top legal advisors telling the National Government that nothing can usurp the power and authority of the Constitution. The PNG Government’s
