PNG’s Economic Outlook remains positive, says IMF report
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has welcomed an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report indicating that Papua New Guinea’s economic outlook remains positive. The IMF report, released Saturday,
Palau’s President proposes $3.4M Supplemental Budget to address healthcare shortfall
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has submitted a US$3.4 million supplemental budget proposal to Olbiil era Kelulau for consideration. The proposal allocates US$3.4 million and appropriates US$2.7 million. In his
Hawaii Aloha: Honouring the “Hawaii Nation”
How do we assess the success of a cultural event? What metrics apply when you’re talking about dancers, artists and a host of creatives? That’s the challenge facing anyone who wants to determine whether the 13th
A meeting of culture, commerce and solidarity
At the halfway of the recent Festival for Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC), its operations director Makanani Sali described it as a “beautiful, chaotic mess” in an interview with local media. And that is how it
Eyes wide shut
Eighteen months after the end of 16 years of Fiji’s notorious two-man rule, the country’s political landscape is in the middle of another seismic shift. The former ruling FijiFirst Party (FFP), relegated to the
Whispers
Seabed issue turning into hotbedSeabed mining continues to divide the region as the International Seabed Authority prepares to meet in Jamaica at the end of July. Hawai‘i has just passed a law banning seabed mining in
Pacific nations stand firm on fisheries and oceans protection
For Pacific Island nations, marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management are crucial because the health of ocean resources deeply influences their economies and livelihoods. In recent times, contrasting
Tackling the Pacific’s plastics crisis
The Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), an initiative under the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), is fighting the threat of single-use plastics to the Pacific coastal environment. With
Waqa takes the wheel at the Forum
Nearing the end of his term as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna travelled to Rarotonga in May and was feted by Mark Brown, Prime Minister of Cook Islands and the current Forum Chair. As the
Fiji positioned for growth in Asia Pacific real estate market
Fiji is on the brink of significant growth in the Asia Pacific real estate market, according to Nick Thompson, Hotels and Hospitality Director at JLL New Zealand. Speaking at a recent tourism investment conference,
Luxury tourism operator Vanua Ranch aims for 2026 opening
Vanua Ranch has revealed plans to open Fiji’s first boutique villa resort, blending farm-based experiences with high-end luxury, by 2026. Located in Uciwai, Vanua Ranch will feature 17 exclusive boutique villas
Wokbaot Wetem Kalja: Culture and Disaster Management in Vanuatu
“Climate displacement of populations is the main feature of our future. We have to be ready for it and plan for it now.” So said Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu, when he took office in2022.
The perils of underinsurance
Underinsurance and the unawareness of insurance remain significant challenges say insurance providers in Fiji and the Pacific. Chief Executive Officer of Capital Insurance in Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, David Ariff Chan,
Parametric insurance industry off to a rough start in Vanuatu
Two insurance companies have exited Vanuatu, impacting beneficiaries and the burgeoning parametric insurance industry. Noeline W. Viro of the Insurance Supervision Unit of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, says that while
Briefs
American Samoa Three doctors and one dentist have reportedly left American Samoa’s Department of Health and more may be leaving soon, as benefits under their contracts have not been honoured due to lack of funding.
Olympians advocate for Pacific wrestling potential
Three of Oceania’s five wrestling hopefuls for this month’s Paris Olympics are women. They are torch bearers for a sport whose profile in the Pacific is such that in the 61-year history of the Pacific Games, there
A Pacific basketball star rises
It was not your everyday greeting, even in the American state that produced Michael Jordan and is home to two of the most dominant schools in college basketball. A 57-year-old man still maintaining an athletic build and
Movers and Shakers
Former Nauru President, Baron Waqa has begun his term as the new Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). He succeeds Henry Puna. Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) has appointed Rufino Varea as
‘Wall of shame’ faces mounting protests in Guam
Guam’s attorney general is facing a wave of backlash over his billboard campaign to deport convicted aliens, which critics described as “dehumanising.” Douglas Moylan, however, defended his “Deport Air
French police kill alleged gunman amid continued unrest in New Caledonia
French police shot and killed an alleged gunman in New Caledonia on Wednesday, local prosecutors said, bringing the toll of almost two months of unrest in the French Pacific territory to 10. The suspect was killed
Fiji’s golden dream: Can Jerry Tuwai lead them to Paris glory?
Fiji are pinning their hopes on the return of their influential star Jerry Tuwai to help secure a third consecutive Olympic rugby gold medal after experiencing a challenging period both on and off the field. The Fijian
Queen of PNG weightlifting Dika Toua misses out on Paris Olympics
PNG weightlifting queen and veteran Olympian Dika Toua will not be able to represent PNG at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Toua told this paper Thursday that, unfortunately, she didn’t make the Olympic team because of one
Tongan trailblazer Ofa Aki is off to the Olympics
Tonga’s first female athlete to compete in the Olympics boxing competition, Fe’ofa’aki ‘Epenisa, is excited to represent her Pacific heritage in Paris this month. “I just feel honored and proud. I know
Repair ship on its way, but Tongan internet users still struggling to stay connected
With a cable repair ship still nine days away from Tonga, internet customers in Vava’u and Ha’apai are struggling to keep connected. And customers have been warned that satellites may not be the answer, even as Elon
