Pacific must get deep-sea mining decisions right, says Tongan Minister
Tonga’s Minister of Lands, Survey, Planning, and Natural Resources, Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, has called for a responsible and collaborative approach to deep-sea mining (DSM), warning that decisions made today
Australia to boot violent offenders in Nauru visa deal
Three violent offenders will be deported from Australia after being granted long-term visas by Nauru in a deal human rights activists have slammed as “Trumpian”. AAP reports that the Nauruans approached the federal
Cook Islands secures $4 million ‘one off’ grant form China for future grants
Cook Islands will receive a “one off grant” of approximately $4 million (US$2.29 million) from China, following the signing of the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last week.
Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security opens after 27-year gestation
The Pacific Centre for Border Management and Security (PCBMS) has been officially launched at theFiji National University, marking a significant milestone in the development of regional border management and security
Cook Islands signs partnership deal with China
The Cook Islands said on Saturday that it signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal with China, a move expected to raise concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties. Reuters reports that Cook
Peter Roberts is Australia’s new High Commissioner to Fiji
Peter Roberts is Australia’s new High Commissioner to Fiji. He will replace Ewen McDonald who is moving to Papua New Guinea. Roberts is currently the Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Tokyo. “Australia and
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
