Opinion: Pacific aviation is struggling to take off after the pandemic – how can the ‘blue continent’ stay connected?
With Samoa fully reopening its borders on August 1, another Pacific country moved tentatively forwards after two years of border closures and little or no international tourism. But opening up is not as simple as
Ocean Link upgrades 4G networks in Kiribati
A mobile phone company, Ocean Link Limited (OLL) has started a major mobile network 4G upgrade and coverage improvement on South Tarawa. A statement from Ocean-Link said the mobile network 4G upgrade started early this
Crypto ‘an unstable financial asset’ says UNCTAD
Cryptocurrency is an “unstable financial asset that can bring social risks and costs”, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned in three policy briefs on Wednesday. UNCTAD said their benefits to
Australia pledges $17m for Pacific Games amid top US diplomats tour
Australia will provide the Solomon Islands with more than A$17 million (USD$11.9 million) for the Pacific Games as a slate of ministers and top U.S. diplomats tour the region. Australian Pacific Minister Pat Conroy has
Vanuatu ministers lodge Motion of No Confidence
Attempts to change the Government’s democratic system tops the list of five reasons given by some MPs in the Motion of No Confidence against Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman. “The attempt to make significant
Marshall Islands sees first COVID-19 spread
The Marshall Islands lost its COVID-free status Monday when tests confirmed six positive cases in the capital, the first known community transmission since the pandemic started in early 2020. It was not immediately
Opinion: What the U.S should do in Solomon Islands
American diplomats and dignitaries have assembled in Honiara for the 80th anniversary of the Guadalcanal Landings during World War II (WWII). Recent developments, including the China–Solomon Islands security agreement
PNG Governor General invites Pangu Pati to form government
Papua New Guinea Governor General Sir Bob Dadae has invited the ruling Pangu Pati to form Government in the 11th Parliament. Pangu Pati won the highest number of seats in the 2022 National Election with 36 declared so
U.S. to host Pacific island summit: Sherman
United States President Joe Biden will host Pacific island leaders at the White House in September, a senior American diplomat said on Saturday, deepening a regional charm offensive to counter growing Chinese influence.
Kiribati: First commercial flight since border lockdown
Kiribati was in celebration mode last Thursday as the island gathered at Bonriki International Airport to welcome the country’s first commercial flight, two and a half years since the island nation’s COVID-19
Opinion: What do Pacific workers think about Australia’s Engagement Visa?
The new Australia Pacific Engagement Visa has sparked great interest from Pacific workers in Australia, however there is a need for clarification around the details of the scheme, Akka Rimon writes. A major policy of
Historic gold win for Cikamatana
Pacific champion weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana has won another gold medal for Australia in the 87kg women’s category in Birmingham 2022. Cikamatana was able to set a new games record for her category in the snatch,
Tuvalu Trust Fund appoints Mercer for consulting mandate
The Tuvalu Trust Fund has appointed Mercer for asset consulting, portfolio implementation services and investment implementation services, reports the Financial Standard. In a statement, Mercer says it will provide
Nauru Police embarks on UN Mission in South Sudan
The first Nauru police to take part in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan departed last month (July 17), the Nauru Government says. Superintendent Imran Scotty, Sergeant Drusky Dabadauw and Senior
Humboldt cable to connect Oceania to Latin America
Desarrollo País and H2 Cable has announced they have issued a request for proposals to begin construction of the estimated 15,000 km Humboldt Cable, the first to connect Latin America, the Asia Pacific and
Australian pilot pleads guilty in PNG drug bust
Australian pilot David John Cutmore has pleaded guilty to transporting Papua New Guinea’s largest haul of cocaine two years ago. Cutmore took his plea in the PNG National Court at Waigani after Judge Teresa
Air Vanuatu to resolve schedule within two months
With its plans to recruit more ni-Vanuatu pilots, the national flag carrier’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Atu Finau, says the current situation of amended schedules on reduced flights is expected to be resolved
Niue: ‘Dramatic rise’ in COVID community cases
Community cases of COVID-19 in Niue have jumped from four to 21 since the first cases were reported last Thursday. Auckland University Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences associate dean Pacific Sir Colin
PNG election: Pangu leads, PNC jolted
The ruling Pangu Pati and its coalition parties have 46 elected MPs in camp and are confident of forming the next PNG government, says party leader and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. In a joint
PNG crowned Oceania champions
Papua New Guinea have won the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 for the first time, after beating host nation Fiji 2-1 in the final in front of a boisterous crowd at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. After previously finishing
Commonwealth Games Update
After a few days of Commonwealth Games competition, let’s check-in with our Pacific athletes and see how they have fared so far in Birmingham. Fiji 7s settles for Silver again Rugby 7s was one of the most anticipated
Niue records first COVID community cases
COVID-19 has arrived in the community in Niue. The government says four people, all from the same household, are being recorded as the first community cases. In the past 24 hours, Niue health authorities report
After 865 days, Samoa reopens to tourists
Samoa reopens to international tourists again, 865 days after closing borders due to COVID-19. Tuitaga Nathan Bucknall, manager of the Taumeasina Island Resort near Apia, said it’s been a long time
