Movers and Shakers
Former Papua New Guinea Chief Justice and Madang Governor, Sir Arnold Amet, has been appointed asthe new PNG Ambassador to the United States of America. Palau has appointed Stan Shih, founder of Taiwan’s PC brand Acer
Prerna Priyanka
‘My parents always told me to dream for the stars: ‘CHamoru name makes it to the moon
Among other things, Marcus Manglona from Guam now has one claim to fame—his name is on the moon. The Blue Ghost lunar lander, which landed on the moon on 02 March, carried with it not just NASA scientific equipment
Researchers find active volcanic hotspot in Cook Islands seabed
Researchers have discovered a potentially younger and active volcanic hotspot beneath the Cook Islands’ waters, prompting excitement for geological understanding and raising calls for caution regarding seabed
Wasted millions: $8.3 million Tongiaki catamaran no longer serves Tonga, review finds
A vessel once celebrated for its speed and preferred as an alternative to air transport in Tonga has been revealed to be non-operational, barely five years after its launch. The Minister of Public Enterprises Piveni
Australia pivots foreign aid to Pacific to cover U.S. cut
Pacific Island nations will get a larger chunk of Australia’s foreign aid as spending is refocused after the United States slashed its aid agency. Foreign Minister Penny Wong asked her department to compile a
PNG superannuation funds attribute profits to offshore activity, BSP
Papua New Guinea’s largest superannuation funds – Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) and the National Superannuation Fund – have attributed profits to offshore investments and the Bank of South Pacific Financial
Solomon Islands Opposition leader Wale calls for halt of proposed mining on San Jorge
Solomon Islands leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the Minister of Mines & Energy to halt the proposed granting of a mining license to Far East Resources Company Ltd for nickel mining on San Jorge.
2025 Australian aid update
Australia’s foreign aid (Official Development Assistance or ODA) for 2025-26 is budgeted at $5.097 billion as announced in Tuesday evening’s Federal Budget, a 2.7% increase over the 2024-25 aid budget of $4.961
Alliance Airlines granted FAOC to operate in Vanuatu
The Government of Vanuatu, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV), has granted a Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC) to
Tonga’s Ministry of Finance CEO calls for unity to overcome Pacific’s economic challenges
Tonga’s Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Finance, Kilisitina Tuaimei’api, opened the Special Forum Economic Officials Meeting (FEOM) Tuesday, with a call for unity in addressing the unprecedented
Decades after the U.S. buried nuclear waste abroad, climate change could unearth it
A new report says melting ice sheets and rising seas could disturb waste from U.S. nuclear projects in Greenland and the Marshall Islands. Ariana Tibon was in college at the University of Hawaiʻi in 2017 when she saw
PNG Government confirms successful test of Facebook controls system
It seems the Papua New Guinea Government has now begun steps towards implementing system controls of Facebook and its use through mobile operators and the ICT industry regulator. Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr,
Convicted fraudsters stranded abroad after Marshall Islands revokes their passports
A pair of China-born scammers convicted of bribing officials via a fake United Nations agency have had their Marshall Islands passports revoked while outside the country, potentially leaving them stranded in permanent
Plastic bottle and can collection and recycling programme launched in Tonga
Tongatapu residents are now able to earn money from returning their empty PET plastic beverage bottles and cans, in a new programme formally launched in Nuku’alofa Saturday. The programme is the result of a
Vanuatu PM instructs review of Capital Investment Immigration Plan funds
Vanuatu Prime Minister has instructed the Citizenship Commission to identify where funds generated under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) are held or have been invested. The Citizenship-by-Investment
Vanuatu Capital Investment Immigration Plan Programme suspended
The Vanuatu Government, through the Citizenship Commission, has suspended all new applications under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) until further notice. This has been confirmed by the newly appointed
Fiji urged to accelerate BBNJ ratification
Regional partners are calling on Fiji to speed up its ratification of the BBNJ Agreement as other countries move forward with their commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The BBNJ
Aviation a lifeline for the Pacific, says Forum SG Waqa
Forum Secretary General Baron Divavesi Waqa, Thursday emphasised the vital role aviation plays in the region’s future, calling it not just a mode of transport, but a lifeline for island economies. Speaking to
“Our people need us more than ever” nurses hear
Nurses are the backbone of Pacific health systems, attendees gathered for the Pacific Heads of Nursing and Midwifery Meeting in Nadi have been reminded. Pacific health leaders are meeting in Nadi this week to address
Leaders call for climate action during post COP29 debrief
Pacific leaders have reiterated the region’s urgent climate demands at the Post-COP29 Debrief of Pacific Political Climate Champions, warning that their voices must not be sidelined. This week’s session brought
AFBC, Investment Fiji to launch definitive Trade & Investment guide for 2025
The Australia Fiji Business Council (AFBC) and Investment Fiji have announced the launch of the Fiji Trade & Investment Review 2025, a comprehensive annual publication that aims to equip businesses and investors
Jiwaka MP apologises to women of PNG for grandson’s role in Jenelyn Kennedy’s murder
Jiwaka Provincial Member Simon Kaiwi has publicly apologised in Parliament today to the women of Papua New Guinea for the actions of his grandson, Bhosip Kaiwi, who was convicted for the 2020 murder of Jenelyn Kennedy.
PNG PM apologises to women, girls
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has made an emotional apology on the floor of Parliament to the women, girls, and mothers of Papua New Guinea, expressing deep regret for the pain inflicted by the