Cook Islands dicusses deep-sea mining research with China
Cook Islands officials discussed seabed minerals research with China during last week’s mission to Beijing. Cook Islands has licensed three companies to explore the seabed for nodules rich in metals such as nickel
2025 PacificAus Sports Netball Series to start 5th edition of tournament
From today to Saturday the fifth edition of the PacificAus Sports Netball Series will be held at Nissan Arena in Brisbane. The series is hosted by Netball Australia and funded by the Australian Government. The five
USP to pilot seawater air conditioning
The University of the South Pacific (USP) is embarking on the establishment of a pilot green campus in Fiji by utilising ocean thermal energy and renewable energy. The multi-phase project is funded by the Korea Research
Donaldson delivers magical 83rd minute try to steal win for Force over Moana Pasifika
With new captain, All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea, at the helm, Moana looked headed for an upset victory at HBF Park. Looking to honour his Samoan heritage, Savea joined the Moana after 12 seasons with the Hurricanes
Nauru’s citizenship by investment scheme eyes AU$60 million in first year
The head of Nauru’s citizenship by investment scheme hopes the initiative will bring in tens of millions of dollars for the island this year. Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme chief
China-backed APT40 hacking group blamed for cyber attacks on Samoa
Samoa’s government has blamed a Chinese state-backed hacking group for a series of sophisticated cyber attacks, saying it has been conducting “malicious cyber operations against government and key critical
Papua New Guinea’s Internal Revenue Commission hit in major cyber attack but public only told of ‘system outage’
Papua New Guinea’s tax office has been hit with a major cyber attack, pushing systems offline and potentially exposing sensitive data belonging to hundreds of thousands of people and businesses, including
Cook Islands opposition files no-confidence motion against PM Mark Brown, Cook Islands-China deal details to be revealed ‘in the coming days’ – Mark Brown
A vote of no confidence motion has been filed against the Prime Minister and his Cabinet following the recent fiasco involving the now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the comprehensive strategic partnership
U.S actions have serious impact on global health, WHO chief says
The United States’ pause on foreign aid contributions is having a serious impact on global health, hitting programmes fighting polio, HIV and other threats, World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros
French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls to visit Nouméa for key political talks
French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls has announced he will travel to New Caledonia on 22 February to pursue talks on the French territory’s political future. This comes following preliminary talks held last
PNG PM Marape announces superannuation reform
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has announced key reforms aimed at ensuring financial security for retirees. Speaking at the NASFUND FM100 Talkback Show launch on Monday, Prime Minister Marape emphasised
Vanuatu’s new PM seeks stronger ties with the US
Newly appointed Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has expressed a desire to strengthen ties with the United States, calling for increased US presence in the Pacific region. In his first official speech this week,
Opinion: A “National Interest Analysis” would strengthen PNG’s foreign policy
Robust domestic procedures are crucial, not least to improve public understanding of government actions. One practical innovation in ensuring the robustness of foreign relations is mandatory use of national interest
New Zealand rethinks opposition to deep-sea mining
New Zealand is considering withdrawing its support for an international ban on deep-sea mining, the country’s resources minister told AFP on Tuesday. Resources Minister Shane Jones said opposition to the fledgling
FNPF CEO Viliame Vodonaivalu presents annual report and highlights key developments
The Fiji National Provident Fund’s investment portfolio grew in value by more than one billion dollars last year. During the FNPF annual member forum in Suva last night, Chief Executive Viliame Vodonaivalu said the
Jotham Napat elected Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister
Jotham Napat has been elected as Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister, securing the top post unopposed Tuesday. Former Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, leader of the Reunification Movement for Change, nominated Napat, the MP
PNG DataCo urged to prepare for Starlink’s potential market entry
Papua New Guinea State Enterprises Minister William Duma has issued a cautionary note to the PNG DataCo, urging its board and management to prepare for the potential disruption posed by Starlink’s entry into Papua New
PNG Central Bank Chief appointed amid money laundering investigation
Elizabeth Genia was appointed governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea despite fighting in court to block a police investigation into suspected money laundering. She has not been charged. The acting head of Papua New
PNG achieves milestone in maritime sovereignty
The Papua New Guinea Government has reached a landmark achievement with the formal submission of its geographical co-ordinates under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This submission
Aid on ice: How Trump’s freeze hurts the Pacific and Southeast Asia
The outlook is anything but reassuring. The US aid freeze won’t break the Pacific, but it will create unnecessary disruptions. For Southeast Asia, the consequences are mixed, likely to hit Myanmar and Cambodia
Influx of Solomon Islands goods into Bougainville raises concerns
Large volumes of Solomon Islands goods, including food and clothing, are being transported into Bougainville, particularly the border towns of Arawa and Buin. These goods are entering untaxed, resulting in significant
Brumbies ready for Fijian first in tough opening fixture
Brumbies forward Tom Hooper, and the side are embracing their long-awaited first game in Fiji in preparation for a tough match against the Drua. Incredibly, Saturday’s fixture in Suva will be the Brumbies’
No more excuses for violence in Bougainville: President Toroama
Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama has issued a strong condemnation of the recent surge in gun-related violence, warning that lawlessness will not be tolerated and calling on citizens to take full responsibility for