Telstra acquires Digicel PNG license rights
PNG's ICT Authority has approved and transferred the license rights of Digicel Pacific to Australian communications giant
The National/Pacnews
Guam court judge to handle CNMI governor’s case
Guam Superior Court Judge Alberto Tolentino has been appointed as judge pro tempore in the criminal case against CNMI Governor Ralph
Australia asks PM Sogavare to avoid security deal
Australia Minister Zed Seselja met with Prime Minister Sogavare in Honiara, in light of the proposed China-Solomon Islands security
Staying afloat: ensuring public debt sustainability in the Pacific islands
[UNESCAP] The risk of public debt distress is considerably high in almost all Pacific small island developing States (PSIDS). The debt levels in most PSIDS were on a rising trajectory since early 2010s and are projected
PNG’s Wafi-Golpu project talks stall
PNG's Wafi-Golpu project has been stalled over the remaining major issue of the mine waste disposal
Category 2 cyclone approaching New Caledonia
Fiji’s Meteorological Service says tropical cyclone Fili is expected to gradually weaken in strength today. In its 7.23pm bulletin last night, the Service said the cyclone was moving southeast at about 14 knots
Samoa prisoners COVID-positive
Nine prisoners and 22 guards in Samoa tested positive for COVID-19 and have been placed in isolation to avoid its
Rethinking Solomon Islands security
It has been an interesting couple of weeks for Solomon Islands, with stories of policing, weapons, replica weapons and a security agreement with China dominating the local and regional media. Let’s start with the
Palau digital residency programme off to a slow start
The response to Palau’s digital residency programme has been much slower than expected. So far, 800 people have signed up since the programme went online in January. Although well below the target, that number is
Mass resignation in Yap state hospital
The mass resignation of 40 doctors and nurses at Yap State Hospital, has prompted Yap State Governor Jesse Salalu to declare a state of emergency. “There is no sufficient pool of qualified nurses and doctors available
Fijiana Drua reigns, Moana Pasifika new sponsor
The Fijiana Drua turned on the style to end the Waratahs’ 21-match unbeaten streak with a 29-10 win in their top-of-the-table clash on the Gold Coast over the weekend. The Waratahs had not lost a match since the
Solomon Islands PM assures no Chinese military base
Amid a regional backlash, the Solomon Islands said it would not allow a Chinese military base in the Pacific islands nation despite its plans to sign a security pact with Beijing. Following the initialling of a draft
UN appoints Tuvalu national as climate change expert
Ian Fry, a Tuvaluan national, has been selected as the first Special Rapporteur on Climate Change by top UN rights body for three
Australia to provide $258k for Fiji General Election
Australia will contribute $258k to Fiji’s Electoral Commission to support an independent audit of the National Register of
$5m for PNG PM’s one-day state visit to Jakarta
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape this week leads a 71-member delegation to Jakarta, Indonesia today in what could be his last state visit. Marape and his large delegation will spend 24-hours in Indonesia, in
Palau President seeks $100k for fintech projects
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr requests US$100,000 for financial technology projects including the Digital Residency
Additional COVID funding postpones aid cuts
Faced with the prospect of another cut to aid while the COVID-19 pandemic continues – and in some ways intensifies in our region – the government has again reached for the “temporary and targeted” lever to avoid
Tonga health ministry confirms six COVID-19 deaths
Six deaths from COVID-19 in Tonga have been confirmed, while another five people with the virus died from underlying illnesses, Tonga’s Minister for Health, Dr Saia Piukala said. The confirmation comes after
Regional e-commerce negotiators training begins
Pacific officials have started a four-week training course to help them engage with negotiations and implementation of e-commerce rules. Currently, many Pacific countries require support to negotiate and implement rules
Solomons: Putting a draft security deal with China in local context
A draft MOU between Honiara and Beijing on security related issues has sparked international headlines and worried response from
Fijian businesses sought for U.S. investment Summit
The United States embassy in Suva is recruiting companies to join a Fijian business delegation to the 2022 SelectUSA Investment Summit in June in the Washington, D.C. area. The Investment Summit promotes
Pacific sports weekend update
SOCCER: Solomon Is. and NZ in World Cup qualifiers Grand Final The stage is set for one last epic showdown in Qatar as Solomon Islands looks to take on the star laced New Zealand side. Both are coming off impressive
Wrong call on PNG tax for goods and services
Papua New Guinea businesses were taken off guard last week following Government’s announcement on the 10% removal of Good and Services Tax on selected basic goods in the country by April. PNG Manufacturer Council CEO
