Movers and Shakers
Jane Waetara is Solomon Islands’ new Permanent Representative to the United Nations and High Commissioner to Canada after officially tendering an early resignation as the nation’s first female Chief Electoral
Kite Pareti
MSG, Indonesia dialogue on Regional Security Strategy
The Indonesian National Police (INP) is hosting the 4th Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Regional Security Strategy (RSS) Working Group (WG) from June 6 to 10, 2022 in Bali, Indonesia. The event is attended by delegates
Pacific netball remain resilient through COVID
Netball playing nations in the Pacific are looking forward to finally playing international Tests again after COVID-19 forced them into a hiatus more than two years ago. Financial restraints and small player pools have
NCDs cannot be ignored says Tonga PM
Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has called for a collective effort to tackle the leading cause of death and disability in Tonga – heart disease, diabetes and some cancers – in a
Second submarine fibre optic cable laid in Palau
Belau Submarine Cable Corporation (BSCC) celebrated the next segment of the second submarine cable project laying from Ngardmau State port in Palau this week. The Strider, a specialised cable-laying vessel, started the
Samoa launches survey results on political attitudes
A pioneering survey of popular political attitudes in the Pacific – the Pacific Attitudes Survey (PAS) Samoa – is being launched this week. The PAS gauges the views of ordinary Samoan citizens on a range of
Palau’s Ngchesar State endorses oil refinery plant
Palau’s Ngchesar State Government recently endorsed a proposal to build a deep-water petroleum refinery plant and port in Ngchesar State. The presentation by Belau LLC to the House of Delegates in
Comment: Tonga Finance Minister warns of a ‘shrinking economy’
Tonga’s economy is in trouble, says Tonga Wires. The economic contraction during two years of border restrictions, has been accelerated by January’s devastating Hunga volcanic eruption and tsunamis, followed
PNG’s booming horticulture industry worth K3 billion
Papua New Guinea’s horticulture and fresh produce industry is estimated to be worth more than K3 billion (US$854 million) but there is potential for expansion, Fresh Produce Development Agency general manager Mark
New Caledonia first president Jean Laques dies
The funeral has been held for Jean Leques the former long-time mayor of Noumea and president of New Caledonia. Leques died at home last Wednesday, aged 90. A service was held at the Noumea cathedral after he had
Marshalls-U.S to hold first in-person Compact negotiation
U.S President Biden’s special envoy for Compact negotiations, Ambassador Joseph Yun, is expected to head a team of Americans who will visit the Marshall Islands next week for the first in-person negotiating session
Fiji is first Pacific country to join Indo-Pacific framework
Fiji is the first Pacific island nation and 14th country in the world to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). In a statement released Friday, U.S National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
Pacific super rugby teams end season on a high note
Although they didn’t qualify for the finals round, the Pacific super rugby teams played the last games of their maiden seasons with passion and excitement last weekend. Moana Pasifika defied the odds to claim a
Vanuatu declares a climate emergency
Vanuatu has become the first Pacific Small Island Developing State to declare it is facing a climate emergency. In a Twitter post, the leader of the opposition Ralph Regenvanu announced parliament passed a
PNG PM responds to hefty fines owed to Indonesia
The Office of the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister has been tasked to seek clarificatioover a hefty penalty notice of K105 million (US$5 million) from the Indonesian government. Responding to the fine over six illegal
Fiji AG says China proposed deal ‘simply a proposal’
Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has sought to play down concern over China’s proposed deal with 10 Pacific nations covering policing, security and communications. Former Kiribati president Anote Tong
Opinion: PNG’s new health plan: “Leaving no one behind is everybody’s business”
By Di Brown, Kylie McKenna and Michele Rumsey Following nearly two years of COVID-19 prompted commentary on the vulnerabilities of the health system in Papua New Guinea, the country’s new National Health Plan
FSM President rejects China joint communique plan
China will seek a region-wide deal with almost a dozen Pacific islands covering policing, security and data communications cooperation when Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts a meeting in Fiji next week, documents seen by
Tuvalu mourns deputy prime minister
Tuvalu’s acting prime minister Seve Paeniu says his country is mourning the loss of an important and influential figure after its deputy prime minister Alapati Taupo died while attending a community event on
Tonga MPs granted stay of unseating
Two Tongan Cabinet Ministers, who were found to have committed bribery in the lead up to the November 2021 Tonga General Election, have been granted a stay of execution in their judgments, until their appeal is heard
Samoa MPs suspended indefinitely
Leader of the Opposition HRPP Party and Samoa’s longest serving Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Maliegaoi and HRPP Party Secretary, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi have been suspended indefinitely from Parliament.
USP Council raises concerns over finance risks
The University of the South Pacific’s Council has raised concerns about the financial and operating risks arising out of Fiji’s withheld grant, compounded by the COVID-19 economic impacts. In a statement
COVID-free Pacific island nations to open borders
Two of the last four remaining COVID-free nations in the world are preparing to open their borders. The Federated States of Micronesia has announced its plan to open its borders without quarantine beginning August
