Micronesian Air maiden flight expected in April, but Guam routes up in the air
Micronesian Air Connection Services (MACS) is expected to have its maiden flight in April, but it will not include Guam in its route as it will only initially service Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The startup carrier, which
Prompt for discussion released ahead of Fiji electoral system consultations
Fiji’s newly appointed commissioners to the Electoral Law Reform Commission have launched two vital documents in preparation for an elections process already being met with both hope and concern for the Fijian public.
Bougainville House of Representatives converts to Bougainville Constituent Assembly
It was an emotional end to the Bougainville Parliament Thursday as the Bougainville House of Representatives officially transitioned into the Bougainville Constituent Assembly. The House erupted in applause as the
Australia PM Albanese calls national election for 03 May
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday called a national election for 03 May, launching a five-week campaign that is set to be dominated by cost-of-living pressures. Albanese’s Labor party won a
Pacific Resilience Facility set for ratification as Forum secure global support
The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) is on track for ratification at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting (PIFLM) in Honiara, Solomon Islands in September, following a major decision made during the
PNG’s 2024 trade with China exceeded K17.8 billion
The volume of trade between China and Papua New Guinea in 2024 exceeded K17.8 billion (US$4.39 billion)– with a surplus of more than K7.5 billion(US$1.85 billion) on the PNG side. In recent years, more Chinese
Media Council warns against rising tide of SLAPP lawsuits in PNG
The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) convened its latest Press Club event focusing on the alarming increase of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) lawsuits. Held in Port Moresby,
Micronesian leader says he trusts Japan’s nuclear wastewater disposal process
Micronesian President Wesley Simina has expressed confidence in Japan’s treatment of radioactive water being dumped from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi power plant into the Pacific Ocean. “The visit to Fukushima
Fiji exported goods worth K43.9million to PNG in 2023
Fiji’s exports to Papua New Guinea reached more than FJD$25.3 million (about K43.9 million/US$10.93 million) in 2023, with items such as electric conductors, sweet biscuits and garments, according to Fiji’s Deputy
Tongan PM warns of global uncertainty as Forum Finance Ministers endorse three key regional initiatives
In a clear warning to his fellow Pacific Finance Ministers, Tongan Prime Minister and Forum Chair Dr ʻAisake Eke highlighted on Wednesday the rising global uncertainty, fuelled in part by shifting U.S policies under
From teaching to Tongpop: The artistic journey of Telly Tuita
For a few weeks in January, the ‘Thirsty Mile’ on Sydney’s harbour was a riot of colour and Tongan iconography. It was the work of Tongan Australian artist Telly Tuita, who brought his captivating show ‘The Tā
Walande, climate displacement and human rights
Over decades, the small community of Walande has seen their offshore home in Solomon Islands battered by cyclones, storm surges and sea level rise. Relocating to the mainland of Malaita—the nation’s most populous
We Say: Learning from faith-based teachings
Between March and April this year, three of the world’s largest religions celebrate important dates.On March 1, the Muslim community started its annual fast of Ramadan, sometimes known as Ramzan.This month-long time
Whispers
Border movementsThere was much fanfare from the Fiji Navy and police after they seized a firearm and some ammunition on a ship arriving from Tonga. First it was reported that there were a number of firearms and bullets
Briefs
American Samoa The American Senate has unanimously passed a bill removing the 10% cap on local investments by the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund (ASGERF). Supporters argue it will strengthen the
Wellington eyes strategic denial in the Cook Islands
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ row with the Cook Islands government in February was every bit as odd as his January quarrel with the President of Kiribati. It arose after the Cook Islands Prime Minister,
Confronting geopolitics in Pacific regional diplomacy
In the past two years, concerns about strategic competition and the increasingly uncertain and unpredictable global order have started to take a more central place in the foreign policy and security discourses of the
Risky business: Bridging the insurance gap
The insurance gap is not only a Pacific Island problem. Australia faces a massive insurance gap that leaves home and business owners increasingly vulnerable to either dealing with disasters without being fully insured
Parametric Insurance: A door of opportunity?
Less than a fornight after an earthquake devastated Port Vila on December 17, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) was on a plane to the Vanuatu capital, a US$1.2 million
Insurance sector taps into AI
The insurance industry is under pressure to transform. This shift is global, and is about improving customer experience and ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in a highly competitive
Insurance grows but faces challenges
The general insurance sector in Fiji has maintained a positive performance in 2023, growing 8%.Despite facing challenges such as rising claims costs and increasing competition, the sector showed resilience and is poised
Misogyny on the rise: But women fight back
The opening session of the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW) meeting in New York this month heard that “misogyny is on the rise.” Sima Bahous, the Executive Director of UN Women, said women and girls are
PNG needs to end “Horrifying Violence”
A staggering 3.414 million Papua New Guinea women may experience intimate partner violence this year, according to statistics provided by the country’s National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Secretariat this month. They