Pacific resilience fund needs US$380m in two years’ to reach half-billion goal
Tonga has the backing of Pacific economic ministers to host the regional community resilience financing facility. The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) was endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders to
Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces meet in Tonga, sharing knowledge for security
The South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces (SWPHMF) met Wednesday in an exclusive meeting in Nuku’alofa, held at the Leadership Centre, Masefield Naval Base. “This meeting is a chance for the heads of
Maprik town burns
Maprik town in East Sepik was set ablaze over two days, beginning Monday between 3pm and 4pm and spilling into early Tuesday morning. Police have confirmed the arrest of at least 189 suspects. A special court hearing
Fiji Airways launches new flights to Dallas
Fiji Airways is spreading its wings to Texas with the launch of flights to Dallas Fort Worth from December 2024. Dallas Fort Worth (also known as DFW) is the headquarters and mega-hub of American Airlines, whose
Indonesian forces retrieve New Zealand pilot’s body in Papua
The body of a New Zealand helicopter pilot shot dead by rebels in eastern Indonesia’s restive Papua region has been retrieved, the joint task force of police and soldiers leading the search said on Monday. Glen
Financial crisis looms over OACPS, SG Chikoti urges immediate action
The Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) faces significant financial challenges that threaten its operations, said Secretary-General Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti at the 117th Session of the
Vava’u and Ha’apai communications services survive on backup satellites as cable awaits repair
Tonga’s local telephone and internet service providers, Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Digicel are using satellite links to restore their services to the two outer islands groups, with hopes that
Samoa rugby facing ‘significant financial challenges’, withdraws from Europe tour
The national rugby team of Samoa has pulled out of its Northern Hemisphere tour due to “significant financial challenges” and to “avoid embarrassment of being the first small union to go
French Polynesian Kauli Vaast win gold at Paris Olympics Teahupo’o surfing
A day etched into Tahitian history thanks to the will and drive of 22-year-old, Kauli Vaast. No longer just a local hero – but as of now, an Olympic surfing champion. The hometown boy carried the dreams of the
U.S Military eyes Australian Island for Pacific Deterrence Initiative
The Cocos Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste are among a handful of locations outlined in a new Pacific Deterrence Initiative multiple award construction contract published by the U.S Navy. The contract,
ULMWP condemns killing of NZ pilot, blames Indonesia for danger
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has condemned the reported killing of New Zealand helicopter pilot Glen Malcolm Conning in Alama, Mimika Regency “If true, I condemn this killing in the
A Lawsuit Promises Justice for Rio Tinto’s Mining Disaster in Bougainville. Some Say It’s Nothing But a Cash Grab.
The Panguna mine made a fortune but left war and pollution in its wake. A new lawsuit backed by anonymous investors is now seeking billions in compensation – and raising concerns about who stands to benefit. High in
Women flourish when they have networks of support: US Ambassador to Fiji
Women flourish when they have networks of support, says Marie C. Damour, the United States Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu. The U.S Embassy, along with its implementing partners, the Women
Diplomat reflects on Vanuatu independence and future
More than 500 Vanuatu citizens in Fiji, comprising mainly tertiary students gathered at the High Commissioner’s residence in Suva this week to commemorate their country’s 44th independence anniversary. Vanuatu’s
PM Salwai reaffirms Government’s commitment to resolving Air Vanuatu’s future
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the future of Air Vanuatu and its employees on Independence Day, acknowledging the challenges and criticism along the way. He
BSP: Businesses affected by Black Wednesday
The Black Wednesday Riots in Port Moresby earlier this year have significantly affected business and investor confidence. This is according to the BSP’s Pacific Quarterly Economic & Market Pulse for the June
Tuvalu calls for deep sea mining precautionary pause at ISA conference in Jamaica
Tuvalu and other nations have joined the call for a precautionary pause on deep sea mining at the 29th International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly meeting in Kingston, Jamaica. Guatemala and Honduras also backed a
114 candidates to contest Kiribati election, including 18 women
A hundred and fourteen candidates are to contest the Kiribati elections, starting on 14 August. A second round of voting for the 44-seat parliament, Maneaba ni Maungatabu, is scheduled for 19 August. Four
World Rugby aim to tweak calendar in wake of Olympic sevens high
World Rugby needs to recalibrate its international calendar to enable more players like Antoine Dupont to switch between sevens and 15s, according to the federation’s CEO, Alan Gilpin. Dupont played a starring
Opinion: Fiji’s emigration boom: will it last?
The spike in migration out of Fiji since the end of COVID has been widely commented on. It is certainly real. Prior to 2018 there were on average about 9,000 more departures than arrivals of Fijian residents every year.
Indian President Murmu to visit Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste
Indian President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a state visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste from 05-10 August 2024. This will be the first-ever visit by a Head of State from India to Fiji and Timor Leste, the
Tonga’s outer islands to continue facing internet issues as repair vessel breaks down in Fiji
Nearly a third of Tonga’s population still has no internet and is unlikely to have access until mid-August. Work on damaged cables in two of the Kingdom’s outlying islands was delayed after a special
New Caledonia’s mothballed nickel plant starts mass sackings process
New Caledonia’s mothballed nickel plant in Koniambo (North of the main island) has announced it has engaged in the mass sackings of some 1200 staff, despite efforts to identify a potential buyer. Koniambo (KNS