Air Vanuatu grounds flights after reportedly going into administration, Board dissolved
Air Vanuatu has cancelled or adjusted some 20 flights to and from New Zealand, Australia and Nouméa after reportedly being placed into administration. Cancelled flights include services from Port Vila to Auckland on
Samoa Airport launches initial start of construction for $25 million regional terminal and apron aircraft parking
The construction of two pivotal infrastructure projects for the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA) was officially launched this morning at Faleolo, with a ground-breaking ceremony. These two projects are the Regional
Proposed law on tainted cryptocurrency ‘terrible’ for human rights, says Cook Islands expert
A Cook Islands cryptocurrency expert is critical of a proposed law targeting tainted cryptocurrency, arguing it undermines human rights and doesn’t address the real channels of money laundering. In the rapidly
Australian Foreign minister Wong to lead bipartisan trip to Tuvalu
Australian Foreign minister Penny Wong and opposition counterpart Simon Birmingham will travel to Tuvalu for talks on security and climate change. The foreign minister will lead the second bipartisan Pacific visit of
Bougainville may use other means to gain independence
The Autonomous Bougainville Government(ABG) is warning it might use other avenues to gain its independence should the PNG government continue to be mischievous in dealing with the Bougainville Independence agenda. The
Australian officials scrambled to halt China-PNG policing deal
China’s top diplomat pushed for Papua New Guinea to sign a policing agreement with Beijing during a trip to Port Moresby last month, forcing Australian and PNG officials to scramble to prevent an embarrassment for
Nine more Solomon Islands Ministers sworn-in
Nine more Solomon Islands ministers have been sworn-in Monday formalising their appointments to their respective Ministerial portfolios, almost completing the lineup of cabinet ministers this week. The eleven
Palau hoping for more things to come
Palau may not have been able to bag everything it hoped for under the renegotiated terms of the Compact of Free Association, but at some point, a deal had to be closed and the nation had to settle for a compromise,
Opinion: The big dry: Marshallese scramble for water sources
For over 50 days from the end of February to the second week of April, El Niño took its toll on Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands. During that period, only trace rainfall was recorded. A large number of the
New flight route between Australia and Palau
A new non-stop flight service between Australia and Palau is being launched with the support of both countries’ governments. The Palau Paradise Express, operated by Nauru Airlines, will fly between Brisbane and
Scientific shark study resumes in New Caledonia
A scientific study on shark presence and behaviour is to resume shortly in New Caledonia’s Southern Province, where two incidents in February last year prompted an indiscriminate culling campaign. A similar
Vanuatu celebrates top ranking in Happy Planet Index
Vanuatu is proud to announce its achievement of ranking number one out of over 150 countries worldwide on the Happy Planet Index (HPI), for the second time since the index was first published in 2006. Two Government
Opinion: Call on ADB to secure correspondent banking partners for Pacific countries
Pacific countries have sought the help of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to secure correspondent banking partners to increase investment and raise opportunities for local businesses. The 14 Pacific Developing Member
Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) appoints new chairperson and deputy chairperson
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adela Issachar Aru as its new Board Chairperson. The SPTO Board of Directors endorsed the announcement of Aru as the new Chairperson at
Fiji and Rabuka’s Peacemaking Ambitions
The prime minister is promoting his “Ocean of Peace” concept, despite significant dissonance within Fiji’s foreign policy. Speaking to a rapt audience, Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka shared an account
AI is being used to save pygmy seahorses and whale sharks in Papua New Guinea’s Coral Triangle
The Coral Triangle spans six countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea – and is home to 6,000 coral reef fish species. The region provides food and
Solomon Airlines considers supporting Air Vanuatu
THE new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solomon Airlines, Sean Te’o, said they are considering a collaboration with Air Vanuatu to train Air Vanuatu’s cabin crew members to work on Solomon Airlines A320 aircraft.
Opinion: Australia’s superannuation rules leave Pacific workers out of pocket
The government must reconsider its tax on the Pacific’s poorest. More than 40,000 Pacific Islanders working in Australia are being unfairly taxed on superannuation contributions – enforced savings payments that they
Papua New Guinea has ‘human capital crisis’, says World Bank
The World Bank has urged the largest Pacific Island nation, Papua New Guinea, to address a “human capital crisis” and invest more in educating children, who suffer high rates of stunted growth and illiteracy, as a
U.S. sanctions Cook Islands-flagged ships aiding Iranian drone shipment to Russia
Three Cook Islands-flagged vessels have been sanctioned by the United States for their involvement in the shipment of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Moeroa Mamanu-Matheson,
Opinion: Statement on World Media Freedom Day 2024 by the President of PINA, Kora Nou
As we gather to observe World Media Freedom Day on 03 May, with the global theme of “Journalism & Environmental Crisis,” it is crucial that we recognise the interconnected nature of environmental and journalism
Kiribati’s Sir Ieremia Tabai scathing about decision to deport Australian-born judge
Kiribati’s first president Sir Ieremia Tabai says the decision by the government to deport Australian-born Judge David Lambourne from the country is “a farce”. The opposition MP said there is no doubt, in
Solomon Islands PM Manele calls for respect to democracy
Solomon Islands Prime Minister elect Jeremiah Manele gave his first speech outside parliament Thursday reminding Solomon Islanders to respect and uphold the democratic process of electing our Prime Minister. Manele