Gaston Flosse given suspended prison sentence
French Polynesia’s former president and veteran politician, Gaston Flosse has been given a suspended prison sentence for producing a fake contract to register as a Papeete voter. The criminal court gave him a
Solomon Islands may remain least developed till 2024: Manele
Solomon Islands may not shed its least-developed country status by the 2024 target after suffering economic setbacks, Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele said Monday. More than 40 countries are classified by the UN as
Tonga and PNG announce World Cup line-ups
Titans forward David Fifita is expected to pull on a Tonga jersey for the first time in next weekend’s World Cup (RLWC) warm-up match against France in England. Fifita is one of 21 NRL stars in the 24-man Mate
Solomon Islands Provident Fund to pay $77.5m to members
Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has awarded a 2.65 per cent interest to its members for the financial year 2021 to 2022. Supervising Finance minister Dr Culwick Togamana announced the rating saying the
PNG Govt position on Bougainville
Bougainville’s push for independence has hit a constitutional snag with top legal advisors telling the National Government that nothing can usurp the power and authority of the Constitution. The PNG Government’s
Nauru Airlines to resume north Pacific service
Nauru Airlines is expected this month to resume air service linking Brisbane with islands in the central and north Pacific halted two-and-a-half-years ago due to COVID border closures. Nauru Airlines was the successful
Governments miss UN deadline to improve climate plans
Almost all the world’s governments have failed to improve their climate plans this year, breaking a promise made at last year’s climate summit in Glasgow, UK. At Cop26, all countries agreed to “revisit and
PNG win Melanesia Cup
PNG came out on top of the MSG Prime Ministers Cup 2022. The tournament, previously known as the Melanesia Cup and reborn this year, was held in Vanuatu and finished in an exciting final on Friday, September 30. To make
Captains ready for Rugby World Cup in New Zealand
Captains of all 12 nations competing at Rugby World Cup 2021 gathered at the world-famous Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday as anticipation reaches fever pitch ahead of kick-off on October 8. Eden Park has twice hosted
Expanding financial inclusion in Fiji
To make everyday bank transactions easier, Fiji has published its National Payment System Act 2021 and Regulations 2022 in the National Gazette, becoming effective September 30. This marks a critical milestone in
Nauru cabinet sworn into office
Nauru’s newly-elected cabinet ministers have been sworn into office for the next three years. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony today, Russ Joseph Kun, Nauru’s new president who gained his seat unopposed,
Pacific Community’s Agricultural Gene Bank wins Global Award
The Pacific region, where most people depend on agriculture and fisheries for sustenance and income, is now one step ahead in food security, Inter Press Service reports. The region’s agricultural gene bank,
Tonga lifts most COVID health restrictions
After two-years and six-months, Tonga has lifted most of its COVID-19 health restrictions, including that for international travel and the national curfew, effective from September 27. The border has now fully
Telikom PNG makes K28million profit
Telikom PNG Limited, in which the two major superannuation funds are planning to own more than 50 per cent shares, has recorded a K28 million (US$7.9 million) profit in the last financial year. Telikom paid shareholder
Deadline abandoned to re-start New Caledonia dialogue
In a major policy shift for New Caledonia, France’s new Overseas Minister has abandoned the 18-month deadline for a referendum to replace the Noumea Accord. During a five-day visit to New Caledonia between 11-15
Pacific Fusion Centre considers security beyond geo-politics
Since their appointments as Director and Associate Director of the Pacific Fusion Centre last year, James Movick and Anna Naupa have fielded many questions about the role of the Centre: How does it work alongside
From terrestrial to satellites: Fong’s career reaches new heights
It was a keen "interest in technical things" very early on in life that drew Ivan Fong to the field of engineering. "Taking things apart, putting them back together and seeing if you can do something yourself" came as
Deep Sea Mining pilot gets go ahead
Piloting of deep sea mining by the Metals Company has been given the green light by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This follows the ISA’s review of an environmental impact statement (EIS) and environmental
Look north to PNG, Fiji urged
The Papua New Guinea economy is expected to “double in size in the next 10 years” says ANZ Pacific Economist, Dr Kishti Sen. And that is a huge opportunity for Fiji and other Pacific Island economies. While Dr Sen
Fiji 2022 Elections: crucial for the Pacific
Fiji soon goes to the polls for the 2022 General Elections. There are two major candidates vying for Prime Ministership, both former coup leaders. Sitiveni Rabuka (Peoples’ Alliance Party) who did the country’s
Pacific Regionalism and Astronomy
The ‘2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent’ was launched at the 51st Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting held in Suva on 11-14 July 2022. At the welcoming ceremony, Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair, PM
Whispers
Meth concerns downplayed Fiji Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho denies Fiji’s meth problem is getting out of control. The Commissioner was responding to criticisms by opposition MP, Pio Tikoduadua,
Ngaire Fuata: from chart topping singer to filmmaker
“When I started doing music here in New Zealand 32 years ago, it was a pretty lonely place for a young Pacific Island woman,” says Pacific creative powerhouse, Ngaire Fuata. But the New Zealander persevered and has
