U.S. will resume Peace Corps programme in Palau
The United States will resume a long-suspended Peace Corps programme in the North Pacific island of Palau as the Biden administration continues moves to counter growing Chinese influence in the region. The Peace Corps
Allies ‘have to compete aggressively’ with China for Pacific security, U.S. warns
The U.S. has urged Papua New Guinea to turn down China’s offer of a security pact, increasing pressure on the prime minister of Australia’s nearest neighbour as he prepares to address parliament in Canberra this
Cook Islands Deputy PM and two former Govt officials found guilty in corruption case
Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former National Environment Service (NES) director Nga Puna, and his wife and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Diane Charlie-Puna have been found
U.S. urges Pacific to keep Chinese tech out of undersea cables
Pacific nations are being warned against using Chinese technology to connect to Western-funded undersea cables or risk having access cut off on security grounds. Nathaniel Fick, the U.S. envoy for cyberspace and digital
A new government in the making in Tuvalu
Reports coming from Funafuti seem to suggest that a new government is in the making – comprising Opposition members from the previous Parliament and the newly elected members. PACNEWS has been reliably informed that
Despite Tuvalu PM missing out, supporters of Falepili Treaty remain
The results of Tuvalu’s weekend election have shockingly resulted in former Prime Minister Kausea Natano failing to secure enough votes among the 6,000 registered voters in eight constituencies. Pacific Media
PNG MP coy on security talks with China
Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko Tuesday avoided questions about a potential security and policing deal with China, and instead extolled security relationships between PNG and Australia.
Bad weather dampens travel plans for Tuvalu MPs
Bad weather after last week’s election in Tuvalu has delayed travel to the capital for outer island MPs ahead of a prime ministerial election. Senior electoral officer Semi Malaki says official results released
Possible to have a Motion of No Confidence this year: Vanuatu Opposition Leader
The newly appointed Opposition Leader in Vanuatu and Member of Parliament for Port Vila, Ishmael Kalsakau has indicated the potential for a Motion of No Confidence against the Prime Minister if specific concerns
Japan to host Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in July; plans to offer Climate support, counter China’s Influence
The Japanese government has begun final arrangements to host the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) in mid-July, inviting the leaders of all 18 Pacific Island Forum (PIF) members to Tokyo. At the summit, Japan
Papua New Guinea in talks with China on security cooperation, foreign minister says
Papua New Guinea is in early talks with China on a potential security and policing deal, the country’s foreign minister Justin Tkachenko has said, weeks after deadly riots in the country’s capital. Amid jostling
Fiji Business Briefs: Pine harvesting, Nabouwalu development, Kinetic Growth updates
RBF gives insurers time to implement new standards The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) says licensed insurers will only have to reflect new reporting standards in their prudential reporting from 1 January 2026. This follows
PNG coalition intact, no split in government
Papua New Guinea Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Pila Niningi has brushed claims of a “split” in the coalition government, saying it is intact with the ruling Pangu Pati’s 53 MPs united. “So much rumour
Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan Prime Minister Natano loses seat in partial election results
The pro-Taiwan leader of the Pacific islands nation of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, has lost his seat according to partial election results. The vote is being closely watched by Taiwan, China and the United States, amid
Tuvalu general election: Six newcomers in parliament
Tuvalu’s senior electoral official has confirmed there will be six new MPs and 10 returning to Parliament following the 2024 general election which saw former Prime Minister Kausea Natano ousted. The country went
David Pocock condemns Australia’s fossil fuel projects as an ‘existential threat’ to Pacific neighbours
The independent senator David Pocock says the Australian government is failing to listen to its “Pacific family” and must stop approving new fossil fuel projects that fuel “an existential threat for those
$2 billion drug bust, 13 charged in Fiji
Thirteen people have been charged in relation to the seizure of more than four tonnes of methamphetamine in Nadi, Fiji, following consultation with the Office of the Director
Opinion: Behind the shine of the Pacific Games lurks poor governance and corruption
Running with the baton as part of the relay in the lead-up to the Pacific Games, I felt so proud of my country. Proud of the young people who volunteered in whatever way they could to make the event successful.
China-born businesswoman charged over meth flight built a web of influence in PNG
Mei Lin is a prominent member of Papua New Guinea’s business community, with ties to influential locals. She’s also allegedly a key player in an audacious drug trafficking plot. Key Findings Chinese-born
Huge rogue waves smash into remote U.S. military base in Pacific
“Gigantic” waves swamped parts of a key U.S. military facility in the middle of the Pacific Ocean last weekend, causing damage that will take months to repair, according to a U.S. Army report. A video posted on X
Taiwan condemns Nauru for accepting One China principle
Taiwan has criticised Nauru for accepting China’s “One China” principle on Wednesday. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it expressed “deep regret and strong condemnation” after Nauru and
Palau ratifies UN Ocean Treaty
Palau on Monday became the first nation to officially ratify the UN Ocean Treaty. “As the first country to officially ratify the UN Ocean Treaty, Palau has jumped into the lead in the race to ratification,” said
Hilda Heine inaugurated as Marshall Islands President
Marshall Islands’ President, Hilda Heine has been inaugurated in Majuro in the presence of dignitaries from across Micronesia. President Heine was re-elected on 27 December last year for a second term as the