Briefs
American SamoaThe Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS) in American Samoa is investigating Samoans who have returned to Samoa but continue to receive food stamp benefits. DHSS Director Panisia Neueli told a
Islands Business
Super Rugby Pacific 2025: Island teams have a solid start
The 2025 Super Rugby season has kicked off, with Pacific teams Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua having decent start to the season, even if the scoreboards didn’t go their way. Judging from action in round one, the
We say: Prepare now for emergencies
Traditionally the Pacific cyclone season spans the months from November and March. But with temperatures rising constantly, every year brings a new facet to the climate change phenomenon and the potential for cyclones
Movers and Shakers
Jotham Napat has been elected as Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister, securing the top post unopposed. Former Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, leader of the Reunification Movement for Change, nominated Napat, the MP for Tanna.
Pacific Island leaders unite at Honiara Summit to strengthen regional tuna fisheries
Papua New Guinea Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Jelta Wong, has addressed the gathering of Pacific Island leaders to describe the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) during a weeklong Honiara Fisheries
Vanuatu’s CBD partially re-opens more than two months after killer quake
Vanuatu authorities have reopened parts of Port Vila’s central business district more than two months after it was devastated by a massive magnitude-7.3 earthquake. Over 14 people were killed during the 17
Knee issue could force Tigers’ Olam into retirement
The NRL future of Papua New Guinea international Justin Olam is under a cloud as the Wests Tigers centre battles an ongoing knee injury. Olam has been absent from the Tigers’ two pre-season games and is
Samoa PM Fiame Mata’fa commands majority, vote of no-confidence fails
The vote of no confidence to unseat Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and her cabinet failed when the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday voted with 34 members opposing the motion and 15 for it. It
A Silver Linings Playbook for the aid sector in 2025
In the midst of the swift and brutal dismantling of USAID there has been a swell of voices in defence of aid. They have pointed to the good that aid does for the world’s most vulnerable; the importance of aid to U.S
Solomon Islands PM welcomes delegates for the Honiara Summit
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on Monday formally welcomes leaders converging in Honiara this week for the ‘Honiara Summit on the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
Sir Arnold Amet appointed new PNG Ambassador to US
Former Papua New Guinea Chief Justice and Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet has been appointed as the new PNG Ambassador to United States of America. Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced Sir
Pacific ‘not a chessboard for global competition’: Dr Aqorau
A proliferation of security deals in the Pacific may be harming rather than helping the region and increasing the risk of conflict, observers have warned. Geopolitical tensions were among the most hotly debated topics
‘Deplorable’ Nauru visa deal to face court challenge
A controversial Australian federal government bid to deport an immigration detainees to Nauru will face a High Court challenge after a legal not-for-profit launched proceeding. AAP reports that the man is one of three
Operation White Wave: Fiji Police to destroy over 4 tonnes of meth this week
The Fiji Police Force yesterday began the week-long process to destroy over four tonnes of methamphetamine, an initiative they have named Operation White Wave. While details of the operation that led to the seizure of
ANALYSIS: Marshall Islands at high risk of cyber attack
Pacific Island countries are ripe for cyber-attacks. With few resources, even fewer skilled information security personnel, and low levels of internet awareness among populations, island nations are easy targets for
Napat: ‘Donors must work our way or take their money back’
Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat has voiced frustration over the lengthy procedures involved in accessing donor funds meant to assist Vanuatu, stating that such delays delay effective recovery and development
Scotland and Samoa lead the PacificAus Netball series
The PacificAus Sports Netball Series is heating up, with Scotland and Samoa emerging as the dominant teams after the first three rounds of matches at Nissan Arena in Brisbane. As the competition progresses towards its
Samoa’s embattled Prime Minister faces court action to have her removed
Samoa Opposition Leader and head of the Human Rights Protection Party, Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi has gone to the Supreme Court to get Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to step down on the grounds that she
Climate change is robbing Pacific islands of another resource: Tuna
Fourteen Pacific Island nations will receive US$107 million to adapt their tuna-dependent economies as climate change pushes the fish farther from their shores, the Green Climate Fund announced Tuesday. The fund’s
Vancouver set to get the party started with 10-year anniversary celebrations | World Rugby
Captains of the world’s top 12 men’s and women’s teams gathered on the shores of Sunset Beach on Tuesday in Downtown Vancouver ahead of the Vancouver Sevens tournament running across 21-23 February. Teams were met
Welkam fren’: New Vanuatu PM sets homegrown tone for US relations
Jotham Napat wants the US to step up, rather than step away, despite Trump’s rejection of the ParisAgreement and aid freeze. Vanuatu’s newly elected Prime Minister Jotham Napat is known as a sharp and media-savvy
Australia and PNG to begin negotiations on new defency treaty
Australia and Papua New Guinea are beginning negotiations on a defence treaty, in a move that could have major implications for national security and the Pacific’s strategic landscape. The announcement comes just
IMF says PNG recovery on track, reform discipline must continue
There are signs of positive recovery in the Papua New Guinea economy, but the government needs to maintain the reform momentum in order to see long-term benefits, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the
