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
22 WW2 bombs found in Tuvalu lagoon
Twenty two 500lb WWII-era bombs have been located underwater at Nanumea in Tuvalu, by a naval team from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. The Tuvalu government had asked the Australian Defence Force
WESPAC opposes Pacific monument expansion
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) has again made clear its position against further expansion of monuments in the Pacific Ocean and the possible consequences to the Pacific island fishing
Santos gets US$1.1billion offer for five percent stake in PNG LNG
Santos Ltd has received a US$1.1 billion binding offer from Papua New Guinea’s state-owned Kumul Petroleum for a five stake in PNG liquefied natural gas (PNG LNG) project, the country’s biggest resources
New island discovered after Tonga volcano eruption
The Home Reef volcano – found in the Central Tonga Islands – erupted this month and within hours, the Earth’s newest land mass had formed. Lava from the volcano was cooled by the ocean water, forming the
Fijian Drua: Six home games confirmed, new forwards coach
The Fijian Drua will mount its second Super Rugby Pacific campaign with six home games locked in for Fiji in 2023. Coming to Fiji next year are 2022 champions Crusaders, 2022 finalists Blues, Melbourne Rebels,
Nauru elects new parliament
Nauru president Lionel Aingimea is among the members of parliament who have been re-elected in the weekend poll. However, declared results show that two former presidents, Baron Waqa and Ludwig Scotty, failed to win any
More sound scientific proof needed on Fukushima water: Pacific leaders
The President of the Federated States of Micronesia denounced at the United Nations last Thursday Japan’s decision to discharge what he called nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power
Marshall Islands halt talks with U.S. over nuclear testing legacy
The Marshall Islands halted key negotiations with the U.S. on Friday over ongoing grievances relating to nuclear testing dating back 70 years on the atolls. Discussions planned for this weekend to renew the terms of the
First ‘Triple-Dip’ La Niña of the century declared
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has declared the first “Triple-Dip” La Niña of the century with stronger winds, higher sea-levels and warmer oceans as possible impacts of the event. This is
Solomons ‘vilified’ since recognising China: Sogavare
The prime minister of the Solomon Islands complained on Friday that his country had been subjected to “a barrage of unwarranted and misplaced criticisms, misinformation and intimidation” since formalising
Palau’s 2023 Budget law passed
Palau budget FY 2023 was signed into law on September 22 at the Ngerulmud Capital rotunda after a brief signing ceremony. Senate and House of Delegates worked round the clock to get it ironed out in time for President
Palau to launch stablecoin in October
Setting a digital currency trend in the region, Palau is slated to launch a dry run of its stablecoin in October, according to Kaleb Udui Jr., the country’s finance minister. “Initially, we are starting a very small
PNG leaders to declare business transactions
Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Commission (OC) has reviewed its annual statement forms, meaning that a total of 452 leaders will now have to declare all their business transactions. PNG Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen
Chuuk in FSM loses COVID-free status
Chuuk, in the Federated States of Micronesia, is no longer a COVID-free state, with 480 infections reported as of September 26, the office of the Governor of Chuuk announced. Out of the total infections confirmed, there
Exercise Cartwheel: Largest Pacific military exercise in decades
A military exercise in Fiji involving the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand ends this week as the traditional allies counter China’s growing influence in the region. The 11-day Exercise Cartwheel in
Watch Women Win: in NZ and the Pacific
The role of women in leadership is slowly becoming accepted in our society, but the pace of this acceptance leaves much to be desired. And both men and women are partly to blame for that. That was the view of ANZ New
Pacific Corrections Commissions encourage ‘local-led solutions’
A locally-led solution might be the answer to the common challenges Pacific Regional Corrections Commissions face in their communities. This suggestion was put forward by the Acting National Commissioner for the New
Bridging the digital divide in the Cook Islands
Cook Islands’ Avaroa Cable Limited (ACL) has revealed its selection of Hawaiki Submarine Cable LP to further improve the nation’s ICT via turnkey provision from Samoa to Australia. The state-owned enterprise
Center for future Guam entrepreneurs unveiled
A place for University of Guam students and island residents to help launch their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs was unveiled at the University of Guam last Thursday. Bank of Guam and University of Guam leadership
