SES and Digicel to further improve Tonga’s ICT
SES and Digicel have announced they will extend their partnership to provide the Kingdom of Tonga with long-term disaster resiliency to minimise bandwidth disruptions. Under the agreement, Digicel will benefit from
Communications at the heart of the Red Cross response
It was a time to reflect, prepare, support, and respond for the Pacific National Red Cross Societies as they met face-to-face for the first time since COVID for five days in Nadi this month. The Head of the
PNG Health sector faces ‘serious shortfall in manpower’: Kapavore
Papua New Guinea Shadow Minister for Health and Public Service, Elias Kapavore has supported comments made by the Health Minister Dr Lino Tom and Health Secretary Dr Liko, to review and repeal the recent amendment to
PNG earthquake death toll at 10
Death toll for the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea has now reached 10 after a man was reported to be killed by rocks from a land slide. Kiki Samuel in his mid 40s was at the Leron River to
Motion of no confidence over Kiribati’s treatment of judges
The Kiribati opposition is planning to bring a motion of no confidence in the Government of President Taneti Maamau. This follows the attempt to remove and deport Justice David Lambourne, the suspension of the Chief
Samoa Opposition MPs reinstated to Parliament
The suspended Samoa opposition leader and his party secretary have been reinstated to Parliament. Samoa’s Opposition Human Rights Protection Party leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and party secretary,
“This is huge for Fiji”: Ben Gollings
Ben Gollings had some big shoes to fill when he followed in the footsteps of Ben Ryan and Gareth Baber as coach of the Fiji men’s sevens team in December 2021. Both had become heroes in their adopted nation for
Solomon Islands tuna production rises despite COVID
Tuna production in the Solomon Islands increased this year despite a significantly smaller fish catch. The latest Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) quarterly report shows that the total catch dropped by 22% due to
Oceania mourns passing of Queen Elizabeth II
Pacific leaders to attend state funeral Oceania is mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch at age 96. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna said: “Her impact
France defers referendum on new statute for New Caledonia
Plans to hold a referendum in New Caledonia next year on a new statute for the territory are being abandoned. The French Junior Overseas Minister, Jean-Francois Carenco, told the television station Caledonia that there
Opinion: The RSE scheme – raising standards to change the narrative
The annual Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) conference, this year held in Wellington under the banner ‘Voices of the Pacific’ (27-29 July), was likely the largest RSE conference to date. Over 400 attendees –
No Constitutional Infringement: Vanuatu Chief Justice Lunabek
The Vanuatu Supreme Court has dismissed an urgent constitutional application from the 27 signatories of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Bob Loughman, the Daily Post reports. Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek
Five killed as powerful earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea
A 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook Papua New Guinea yesterday, damaging buildings, triggering landslides and killing at least five people. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at a depth of 61km
Telstra to tear out Digicel’s Huawei equipment in ‘next refresh’
Telstra-owned Digicel Pacific will tear out its Huawei-built equipment on its mobile infrastructure at its next refresh, the AFR reports. “In terms of any refreshes or upgrades in future dates, then that’s when
Fiji and Australia crowned Rugby 7s champions
Fiji and Australia were crowned Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 winners in the men’s and women’s events respectively today, as they defeated reigning champions New Zealand in two exhilarating finals in Cape Town. The
Solomon Islands election delayed to 2024
The Solomon Islands parliament has voted to delay the country’s national elections to 2024, backing a push from Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to postpone the poll until after the Pacific Games next year. The
Steady progress for Pacific primary education: SPC
Findings from the Pacific’s largest education assessment on literacy and numeracy (PILNA) for years 4 & 6 suggests that countries are “not yet ready to cope with remote learning.” PILNA 2021 findings released
Kiribati could establish aged care hub to meet Australian demand
The Kiribati Government is planning to establish a hub for aged care students at the School of Nursing and Health in Bikenibeu. This was confirmed by the Minister for Employment and Human Resource, Taabeta Amuera Teakai
Reviving Cacao in Fiji: Arif Khan
A founder of an award-winning cacao company in Fiji says more should be done to revive the nation’s cocoa industry. Formerly a real-estate agent, Arif Khan founded Cacao Fiji in the lush hills of Dreketi because he
Vanuatu ‘snap election timeline’ announced
In Vanuatu, over 300,000 registered voters will go to the polls for a snap election on October 13. The election was triggered after the dissolution of the country’s parliament on August 19 by President Nikenike
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Players to watch in Cape Town
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is almost here. In less than 48 hours, DHL Stadium in Cape Town will be packed full of fans enjoying a unique spectacle. New Zealand arrive as defending champions in both the men’s and
Kiribati’s suspended judges ‘a critical threat’: IBHARI
An international human rights body has condemned the suspension of three senior Court of Appeal judges by the Kiribati government, calling it a “critical threat” to the rule of law. In a statement on Wednesday, the
Opinion: Benchmarking microfinance
In the last few years we have seen a notably bleaker narrative around our efforts to end global poverty. Severe impacts of climate change, lingering effects of an unprecedented pandemic, and a looming food insecurity