Ramos-Horta triumphs Timor-Leste presidential election
Nobel prize winner José Ramos-Horta has scored a landslide victory in the Timor-Leste presidential election, according to preliminary results published by the country’s election secretariat. The 72-year-old
K100m bill to affect PNG election security
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says service providers are owed K100 million (US$28 million) for PNG national elections dating back to 2012. This could cause problems for the call-out of disciplinary forces
San Nicolas announces bid to run as governor of Guam
Congressman Michael San Nicolas formally declared his intention to run for governor of Guam by filing his certificate of candidacy at the Guam Election Commission Tuesday. Sabrina Salas Mantanane, who recently resigned
Moana-Force clash postponed, Fijiana 7s team named
In rugby news, the Moana Pasifika – Western Force clash has been postponed after a number of reported COVID cases in the Force camp. Western coach Tim Sampson, Izack Rodda and Issak Fines Leleiwasa were in
Australian support for Pacific Commonwealth Games athletes
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) is partnering with the Australian Government to support athletes and para-athletes from eleven Pacific nations to prepare for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. CGA President Ben
China and Solomon Islands sign security deal
China has signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands just days ahead of a visit by senior U.S government officials to the South Pacific country, exacerbating western fears over Beijing’s growing influence in the
Debt distress talks at first Pacific debt conference
The First Pacific Regional Debt Conference earlier this month saw Pacific Island Forum Economic Ministers raise the need for urgent talks between Forum Island Countries, creditors, and development partners for proactive
Cikamatana continues to shine for the green and gold
Champion weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana is set to headline Australia’s weightlifting team for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Australia weightlifting team was announced yesterday to coincide with the
Biggest water project in Kiribati commences
People living in Kiribati’s most populated centres of South Tarawa, Betio and Buota expect to get safe and reliable water once the South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) is completed in five years. The Kiribati
Senior U.S officials visits Solomon Islands this week
White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell and the U.S Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, will lead a delegation to Solomon Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea
Canberra’s tired old script has led to a less democratic Solomon Islands and a less secure Australia
China must be hoping that Australia persists in its “business as usual” approach to Solomon Islands. An appeasement policy by Australia towards the Solomons prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has been outstandingly
Argentina denies Fiji in Vancouver Rugby 7s
Argentina has defeated Fiji in the finals of the Vancouver Rugby 7s, with the Santiago Gomez Cora- coached side playing exceptionally well throughout the weekend and outplaying Fiji 29-10 in the final match. World Rugby
Our Ocean Conference in Palau ends on high note
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has announced that 410 commitments were made at the ocean conference with the value of US$16.35
Australia drops mandatory COVID pre-departure test
International travellers entering Australia no longer need to provide evidence of a negative pre-departure COVID-19
Cook Islands retrace its breadfruit roots
A breadfruit revival of sorts is underway in Cook Islands, revitalising, or re-popularising breadfruit orchards on the archipelago.
Telstra acquires Digicel PNG license rights
PNG's ICT Authority has approved and transferred the license rights of Digicel Pacific to Australian communications giant
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
