PIFS: Japan assures no discharge of treated wastewater if unsafe
Japan’s plans to discharge treated Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean was the focus of discussions between Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General, Henry Puna and Japan’s Minister for
NASA finds Tonga volcano effects reached space
New scientific data from NASA has found that effects of the January 15 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano reached space. Analysing data from NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) mission and ESA’s
PNG Government approves new bank
The PNG Government has approved the Peoples Micro Bank Limited to be a full-fledged commercial bank, Papua New Guinea State Enterprises Minister William Duma says. “This means the bank and Kumul Consolidated Holdings
Cairns offer support for PNG NRL bid
Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning believes far north Queensland can greatly assist Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) bid to become the NRL’s 18th side. Mayor Bob Manning, who has touted the prospect of a joint
Bach satisfied with Brisbane 2032 Olympics progress
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach says the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics will be an event for the whole Pacific region. Bach made the statement after attending an Australian Olympic
Tongan Legislative Assembly to unseat members
A meeting of the Tongan Legislative Assembly will be held on 16 May to unseat two Members of Parliament from their seats, after their elections were voided by the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa. The date for
Japan reaffirms Pacific regional support
Japan, Fiji and Palau share the same concerns over a security pact China recently signed with the Solomon Islands, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Sunday as he wrapped up a trip to the two Pacific island
Pacific labour mobility growth: winners and losers
One of Scott Morrison’s biggest announcements from last August’s 51st Pacific Islands Forum was to double the number of Pacific workers in Australia by March 2022 to at least 25,000. The government has come close to
PNG aims NRL entry to celebrate national sport
The PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has announced its ambitions to join the NRL as the competition’s 18th team in the next broadcast cycle. The decision follows the NRL’s proposal for an 18-team competition
Comment: Overcoming shocks to create a more resilient, inclusive future for Fiji
Fiji recorded its strongest post-independence period of economic growth in the decade before COVID-19, underpinned by rising productivity and investment, political stability, and a booming tourism industry. While the
Opinion: Global racial justice needs to be at the heart of Australian aid
The Greens’ vision for aid and development sees Australia not just contribute its fair share of Official Development Assistance (ODA), but also reimagines foreign aid, not simply as charity but as an issue of global
Pacific universities launch climate change partnership
The Fiji National University (FNU) and Monash University have today officially launched their partnership to establish the Monash-FNU Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC). The CCRC, which
Palau’s controversial plan to take climate justice into its own hands
Palau’s waters contain some of the world’s richest marine biodiversity. Critically endangered hawksbill turtles and endangered Napoleon wrasse, which can grow up to six feet long and are known for the distinctive
Vanuatu volcano activity sparks warning
Volcanic activity at Vanuatu’s Mount Garet on Gaua Island has increased under Alert Level 2, which is the major level of unrest, reports the Vanuatu Daily Post. Observations confirmed current activity consists of
Fiji court rules U.S can seize Russian superyacht Amadea
Fiji’s high court has ruled that the U.S government can seize the ‘Amadea‘, a superyacht docked at the Fijian port of Lautoka since 13 April. The Amadea is believed to be owned by Suleiman Kerimov, a
PINA Statement to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2022
On 03 May every year, media workers here in the Pacific and across the globecome together to reflect on issues of press freedom and professional ethics.This year, UNESCO set “Journalism Under Siege” as the theme of
Solomons tuna plant to create 5500 jobs
More than 5,500 jobs are set to be created with the construction of a major tuna processing plant in Solomon Islands says the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant, to be built
Samoa international borders to open in August
Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has announced the returning of students to school and resumption of international flights this month, although restricted to Samoan citizens travelling in for various
Former Tonga PM convicted for election bribery
Two Tonga MPs, one a former prime minister and the other a serving cabinet minister, have lost their seats in Parliament. Former PM, Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, and the minister for Internal Affairs, Sangster
Prime ministerial incumbency bias in PNG
Central to the selection of the prime minister in Papua New Guinea following a general election is Section 63 of PNG’s Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC), which was passed in 2001
Cook Islands tourism industry desperate for workers
Although travel restrictions are loosening, Cook Islands tourism operators are struggling to find staff. Pre-departure testing for international arrivals is no longer be required and direct flights from countries other
PTI Australia delivers record Pacific investment deals
Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia has recorded more than AUD$27 million (US$12 million) in export deals and a 17 investment deals facilitated in the region, despite the challenging pandemic environment. The Pacific
Pacific Elders Voice on Climate Security
The Pacific Elders’ Voice reiterates that the primary security threat to the Pacific is climate change. This fact is clearly articulated in the Boe Declaration on Regional Security which states: “We affirm that
