NRL’s PNG team expected to be confirmed next week
The NRL is expected to confirm as early as next week a team from Papua New Guinea will enter the competition later this decade. The PNG bid, propped up by $600 million (US$386 million) of Australian government
Australian Federal Police incinerates 500kg of cocaine seized after alleged PNG import attempt
Senior police officers from Australia and Papua New Guinea have monitored the destruction of 500kg of cocaine, which was seized by authorities in 2020 after the black flight believed to have been transporting it to
CIVICUS Monitor upgrades the condition of basic freedoms in Fiji to “narrowed” from “obstructed”
The CIVICUS Monitor has announced in a new report Wednesday that it has upgraded Fiji’s civic space to “Narrowed” from “Obstructed” in its annual ratings, with the expansion of space for civil society and the
Massive $1.8b project to build 600km road in PNG linked to businessman criticised in ‘land grab’ scandal
An ABC investigation has linked the Australian businessmen behind Papua New Guinea’s largest agroforestry project to key figures in a massive Indigenous land grab scandal in the country’s Western Province
Albanese wants to “China-proof” the Pacific, but Nauru is driving a hard bargain
The Albanese government hopes to end the year with a major foreign policy victory by signing a landmark pact with Nauru aimed at preventing China from gaining a security foothold in the Pacific. The Sydney Morning
Top UN court hears landmark Vanuatu-led climate case
Vanuatu has opened proceedings in a landmark climate case brought before the UN’s top court, arguing international law and the warming of the atmosphere demands broader action. The Pacific state is leading two
Tuilaepa will contest in 2026 election
In a resolute display of political longevity, veteran parliamentarian and Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi made it clear that retirement is not on the horizon. At
Big polluters’ legal obligations are in treaty: Australia
Australia has reiterated its commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate action but does not think high-emitting countries have further legal responsibilities to stave off climate catastrophe. In a landmark case
18 new HIV/Aids cases detected daily in PNG
The number of HIV and AIDS cases in Papua New Guinea is on the rise with 18 new infections detected daily. According to the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health Dr Ken Wai, more than 77,000 people are currently
American Samoa granted observer status in Forum Fisheries Agency
American Samoa’s director of Marine and Wildlife Resources Taotasi Archie Soliai is ecstatic that American Samoa has been granted observer status in the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). The Deputy Director General of
$17M Vailima Brewery opens doors
The Taste of Samoa has returned home and will hit the market in a week as the $17 million (US$6.11 million) Vailima Breweries factory was officially opened on Friday evening. This marks the return of the production of
K100 million allocated for PNG NRL bid support programme
The Papua New Guinea Government has allocated K100 million (US$25 million) in the 2025 National Budget to rugby league. The budget was handed down last Friday in the National Parliament. Under Volume 3A document of the
New Zealand navy ship sank off Samoa because autopilot was left on, inquiry finds
A series of human errors caused a New Zealand navy ship HMNZS Manawanui to plough into a reef off the coast of Samoa, where it caught fire and sank, according to the preliminary findings of a military court of inquiry
Kanak pro-independence leader Christian Téin to remain in mainland France jail
Pro-independence Kanak leader Christian Téin will remain in mainland France jail for the time being, a Court of Appeal ruled in Nouméa on Friday. This followed an earlier ruling on 22 October from the Court
Speaker grants Tonga PM request to postpone reply to no confidence motion
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has postponed the session to table the motion for a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni from 3 December to 9 December, 2024. TALANOAOTONGA reports that the
Australia and Fiji win HSBC SVNS in Dubai
International rugby sevens returned to thrill the huge crowds at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai as Fiji men and Australia women ran out winners to take an early lead in the HSBC SVNS standings. Fiji beat Spain 19-5 to lift
WCPFC head urges action on climate change and human rights
Rhea Moss-Christian, the executive director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has called for urgent action to address the impacts of climate change and human rights abuses in the fishing
Fiji PM Rabuka urges Pacific unity, Proposes regional Tuna management bloc
Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka called for a united front among Western and Central Pacific nations to manage their tuna resources, even suggesting the formation of a “tuna OPEC” to wield greater influence
Olympic stars and fresh faces ready to kick-off HSBC SVNS in Dubai
Following the sensational, record-breaking Olympic Games competitions, the wait is over for rugby sevens fans as HSBC SVNS 2025 kicks off with the Emirates Dubai 7s on 30 November – 1 December. With interest and
World record 225 tonnes of cocaine seized, and new Australia trafficking route uncovered
Colombian authorities working with dozens of other countries have seized 225 tonnes of cocaine in the space of six weeks, a global record for any single anti-narcotics operation, finding some of that haul on a “narco
Cook Islands Immigration to launch new online visa and permit system
Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) has announced the upcoming launch of its new online visa and permit application system, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing modernisation of
Vanuatu to launch ICJ hearings on climate and human right
It began five years ago, as an exercise amongst law students at the Emalus campus of the University of the South Pacific in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Now, in the Netherlands, the Republic of Vanuatu will open presentations
USP’s application for interim injunction refused
The University of the South Pacific’s application for an interim injunction to halt any further action for strike by the staff unions has been refused by the Civil High Court in Suva. This is in relation to a strike
