First COVID outbreak in FSM ‘causing alarm’
Micronesia’s first outbreak of COVID-19 grew in one week to more than 1,000 cases by Tuesday, causing alarm in the Pacific island nation. Last week, FSM became possibly the final nation in the world with a
AFP/Pacnews
Palau’s new tax law to cause ‘substantial impact’: Kyota
The Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) has expressed concerns on the country’s new tax law on goods and services. PPUC says the Palau Goods and Services Tax (PGST), going into effect on January 1, 2023,
PNG capital on high alert after brutal election violence
Residents of Papua New Guinea’s capital were told to stay home and troops were deployed to its streets on Monday, after a brutal election-related attack hospitalised two people. One victim sustained a traumatic
Regional airlines “in the dark” on Fiji’s new airport management deal
The Fiji Government’s controversial decision to award the management contract for Airports Fiji Ltd (AFL) to its national airline, Fiji Airways, has intensified fears that a “conflict of interest”
Citizens should cast their vote without fear of violence: PNG Police
Running in a pack, armed supporters with bush knives, iron bars and other weapons chased down and attacked two men outside the counting centre at Papua New Guinea’s Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby Sunday
Marshall Islands celebrates new Iroojlaplap
Thousands of Marshall Islanders gathered on Ebeye Island last week for the first coronation ceremony of a paramount chief in half a century. The gala coronation for Iroojlaplap or paramount chief Michael Kabua featured
COVID cases ‘rapidly increasing’ in FSM
Less than a week after the first COVID-19 community cases were reported in the Federated States of Micronesia, the country’s vice president has been hospitalised with the virus and hundreds of cases were being
Solomon Airlines announces code-share service with Air Niugini
Solomon Airlines has announced its code-share flight services with Air Niugini between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea will recommence next month. In a statement, Solomon Airlines announced the service which will
Vanuatu elects Vurobaravu as president
Nikenike Vurobaravu has been voted the 12th President of Vanuatu. It took eight rounds of voting by the 58-member Electoral College before he secured the required minimum number of 38 on Saturday. In the end, he got a
U.S. delegation to visit Solomon Islands
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, and U.S. ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, plan to visit the Solomon Islands next month, where their fathers fought in World War Two, and the United States is
Palau Congress paves way for Blue Prosperity funding
Members of the Olbiil Era Keluau Monday adopted amendments to the supplemental budget to pave way for the Blue Prosperity funding assistance, while Palau Congress gave approval to the marine spatial planning. The new
Cook Islands: 5m waves expected, tourists urged to delay travel
A Cook Islands tourism operator is advising New Zealand travellers to consider putting off their travel as waves of up to 5 metres are expected. Last week, the south coast of the Cook Islands was hit by 4.5m waves which
No PNG election will be deemed as failed without evidence: Sinai
Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai says no election will be deemed as failed unless a full report is given by security and electoral staff in the five electorates that have faced issues in the past
PNG election update: Seats declared, election violence
The ruling Pangu Pati has drawn first blood in the PNG General Elections 2022 with its leader and deputy leader retaining their seats on first count alone. Pangu has a head start with four MPs, James Marape (Tari Pori);
Vanuatu seasonal workers speak out on mistreatment
A group of Vanuatu seasonal workers in Australia who absconded from their farms have come out to shed light on their working conditions. While they say they regret that their actions have tarnished Vanuatu’s effort in
PNG embraces Telstra’s acquisition of Digicel
Papua New Guinea caretaker Prime Minister James Marape has welcomed the completion of Telstra’s acquisition of Digicel Pacific last week, saying it demonstrates international confidence in the national economy. He
Tonga making waves in Pacific Netball
In light of their recent success in the PacificAus tournament earlier in March this year, the Tonga Netball team will be hoping to continue top performance in the Netball World Cup Pacific Qualifiers this week in Suva,
COVID-free Marshall Islands prepares to rejoin the world
The Marshall Islands will remove it’s managed quarantine system after October 1st. The Marshall Islands is one of only a handful of nations left in the world that is COVID free and has remained so due to strict
Severe coastal flooding hits American Samoa and the Cook Islands
The full impact of huge sea swells across American Samoa and the Cook Islands is only starting to come to light. Severe weather conditions in American Samoa have resulted in damage to roads, infrastructure, property and
Vote buying is expected in PNG: Sinai
Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai has told media that vote buying and other corruption related offences are expected in any election in PNG. He said the 2022 National General Election is no exception,
Promising future for Pacific exporters: PTI Australia
Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia says despite half of the businesses responding to its export survey noting a decline in export orders over the past year, businesses are optimistic about the future. The most recent
Partners in the Blue Pacific’ initiative rides roughshod over established regional processes
On June 24, the White House announced the establishment of the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP), an initiative by Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States “for more effective and
Pacific Sustainable Tourism Criteria in the works: SPTO
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) will be working with TRC Tourism to develop the PacificSustainable Tourism Criteria. “Sustainable tourism development is now more important than ever as we begin to plan tourism
