Temporary ban on Starlink imports in Samoa
The Samoa Office of the Telecommunication Regulator (OOTR) temporarily banned the importation of Space X’s Starlink kits and Customs will seize any type of unit sighted at border control. Regulator, Lematua Gisa
Anthony Albanese, James Marape to walk Kokoda Track in symbolic Anzac Day visit
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will mark Anzac Day on the Kokoda Track in a highly symbolic visit designed to highlight the shared World War II legacy and growing security relationship between both
SpaceX apply for license to operate in Samoa
Samoa’s digital landscape is soon to leapfrog if the government grants a license to Space Exploration Technologies Corp., commonly known as SpaceX, to operate in Samoa. This was confirmed by the Regulator, Lematua
Pacific cities much older than previously thought
New evidence of one of the first cities in the Pacific shows they were established much earlier than previously thought, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). The study used
Google to spend $1billion on enhancing subsea internet infrastructure in the Pacific
Google will invest US$1 billion to improve digital connectivity between the U.S. and Japan through two new subsea cables, the Alphabet-owned firm said on Wednesday amid a visit by the Japanese prime minister to boost
‘Help’ written in palm fronds assists U.S. forces in rescuing Micronesians stranded on tiny island
The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard found and rescued three men Tuesday from a tiny atoll south of Guam, where they spent more than a week after they were left stranded. The men, all in their 40s, set sail from Polowat Atoll,
Solomon Islands PM’s wife slams report on family properties as unethical journalism
The wife of the caretaker Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has described the In-depth Solomons article titled ‘Solomons PM Has Millions in Property, Raising Questions Around Wealth’ as a publication
Eramet reaches agreement to continue SLN’s New Caledonia operations
French mining group Eramet said on Wednesday it had reached an agreement with the French government to continue its subsidiary SLN’s mining operations in New Caledonia’s Northern Province. Under the agreement,
Tonga to build 200 prefab houses for PIF leaders meeting as accommodation falls short
The Tongan Government plans to build 200 houses for the Pacific Forum leaders meeting in August, as accommodation falls short, the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku told a media in Nuku’alofa. Tonga will host
Solomon Islands declares public holiday on Election day, liqour ban
Solomon Islands Government had declared Wednesday 17 April 2024 as a public holiday for the conduct of national, provincial and Honiara City Council elections. The caretaker Minister of Home Affairs, Christopher Laore
Samoa citizenship bill passes first NZ Parliament hurdle, helped by Act and NZ First
Act and New Zealand First have shocked Parliament last night by supporting a bill to select committee that would provide entitlement to New Zealand citizenship for a group of people born in the then Western Samoa whose
Repatriation efforts underway for ancient Chamorro carvings at Bishop Museum
For the first time in more than 30 years, the latte stones are making a public appearance at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. They’ve lived in the museum for over a century since researchers took the cultural relics
Cook Islands telecommunications regulator defends Starlink users
Cook Islands telecommunications regulator head Bernard Hill said regional regulators who are banning the use of Starlink might have an “overinflated view” of their importance. His comments come after reports in
Niue’s twice weekly flights have resumed
The twice weekly flights to Niue resumed last week on Monday, 01 April. Niue Tourism Advisor, Hayden Porter says they double their capacity numbers with the increased flights and is the highest they have seen in the
PM Marape announces key appointments to the Bank of Papua New Guinea
Former CEO of Bank of South Pacific(BSP) Sir Robin Fleming has been appointed to serve on the Bank of PNG Board. He joins Mark Baker, who served as the Country Head for ANZ Bank, and Dairi Vele, the former Treasury
Social media campaign to unearth players paying dividends for Cook Islands
From Asia to the Netherlands, the Cook Islands national team is casting its net ever wider in search of players. With a population smaller than the West Coast and with both codes of rugby popular, the Cook Islands
Fiji Business Briefs: Fuel prices up, Vanua Levu road project, Movers and Shakers
Revised fuel and LPG prices for April 2024 The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has released new regulated prices for various fuel products effective from 1 April 2024. Unleaded fuel has gone up by nine
PNG MP’s bid to bar media fails
An application in court to stop the Papua New Guinea media from reporting on an alleged sexual offence incident involving Goroka MP Aiye Tambua was thrown out Thursday. Magistrate Paul Puri Nii, sitting in the Waigani
Power crisis continues in Majuro
Announced and emergency power outages, and power rationing have governed life in the capital of the Marshall Islands since late last year. The problem reached an all-time low in January when various areas of Majuro
More demonstrations expected in Noumea as New Caledonia voting rules change
Demonstrations have been held in New Caledonia – with more protests expected – from both pro- and anti-independence supporters after the French Senate endorsed a constitutional amendment bill to
Tonga PM announces minor reshuffle, resignations as ‘Utoikamanu moves to Communication
Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has confirmed his resignation as Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces. He also confirmed the resignation of Fekita ‘Utoikamanu as Minister of Tourism and
Maara Vaiimene appointed new director of Cook Islands Meterological Service
Former senior meteorological observer Maara Vaiimene has been appointed the new director of the Cook Islands Meteorological Service. Vaiimene commenced the top role on 25 March. Secretary for Ministry of Transport John
2024 joint ballot papers arrived safely in Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands official ballot papers for the 2024 Joint Election are printed and have now arrived in the country on Tuesday this week. The ballot papers totaling a record of 1 million, cater to voter numbers in a