“Palauans First” Campaign reboots: President Whipps seeks second term
In a rally echoing his “Palauans First” campaign slogan, President Surangel Whipps Jr officially launched his re-election bid on 11 February, becoming the first candidate to declare for the November 2024 general
Japan’s minister chides utility president over radioactive water leak at Fukushima plant
Japan’s industry minister summoned the president of the utility that runs the Fukushima nuclear power plant to his office Wednesday and chided him for a radioactive water leak at the plant earlier this
Who will form the next government is the question on the minds of the people of Tuvalu
As the capital, Funafuti prepares to welcome the last four elected Members of Parliament from the northern islands of Nanumea and Nanumaga, the people of Tuvalu are waiting with anticipation on the formation of the new
Tackling nuclear legacies, 70 years after Bravo
On 1 March 1954, the US government exploded a thermonuclear weapon on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, codenamed Bravo. The test had an explosive yield of nearly 15 megatons, a thousand times more powerful than the
Guam launches $11.4m project to expand broadband in southern villages
The Office of the Governor today announced the launch of a new fibre and 5G installation to expand broadband coverage in Southern Guam. The $11.4 million project awarded to IT&E was authorised by the U.S
Singapore signs air services pact with Samoa
Singapore and Samoa have signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA). The agreement was signed by Chee Hong Tat, Singapore Minister for Transport and Olo Fiti Afoa Vaai, Samoa Minister for Works. The ASA, which amounts to
Cook Islands Parliament approves amendments to Seabed Minerals Act
A Bill seeking to improve the overall seabed minerals regime was passed in Parliament Monday. Prime Minister Mark Brown presented the Seabed Minerals Amendment Bill 2024 for its second and third readings. The
Penina Pasifika women’s rugby team arrives in Australia
The recently formed Penina Pasifika women’s rugby team has touched down in Australia and is gearing up for their inaugural match against the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby Women pre-season tournament. Local
PNG PM Marape describes killings in Enga as act of terrorism
The killing in Enga is an act of domestic terrorism and the National Executive Council (NEC) will meet to decide on what will be done to address the situation, says Prime Minister James Marape. Marape said at a press
At ICJ, lawyer for Palestine rips U.S. and Fiji for defending whatever offenses Israel commits
An attorney representing Palestine at the United Nations’ highest court called out the U.S. on Monday for routinely defending Israel’s violations of international law, including its brutal 57-year occupation
Delay in glitch investigation raises concerns
The Electoral Commission of Fiji (ECF) is concerned over the prolonged delay in investigating the “glitch” that occurred during the vote counting process in the 2022 General Elections. In a statement this week, the
Hawaii poised to slap tourists with $25 climate tax
Lawmakers in Hawaii are poised to approve a US$25 climate tax on tourists who visit the Aloha State in an effort to combat what they claim is an assault on the area’s natural resources. The state, which saw 9.5
People smugglers branded evil, arrivals sent to Nauru
Recent boat arrivals have prompted calls for a rethink of Australia’s immigration measures as the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader trade barbs on border security, A group of 39 people from Pakistan and
Solomon Islands caretaker PM Sogavare says government needs to secure more loans
Solomon Islands needs to secure more loans to fully deliver projects in the National Infrastructure Priority Pipeline 2023 (NIPP 2023), caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stated. In his keynote address at the
China lures Palau with economic incentives to break ties with Taiwan
China has promised Palau economic benefits in exchange for the latter severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a letter the Palauan president wrote to an unnamed United States senator revealed. President Surangel Whipps
PNG Meth ‘Black Flight’ Suspect Paid Account in Name of Migration Chief: Court Files
A China-born businesswoman accused of taking part in an audacious plot to fly a light plane packed with drugs from Papua New Guinea to Australia allegedly ordered a co-conspirator to pay into a bank account in the name
Fiji Business Briefs: Visa pilot, Rosie goes electric, more hotels, FHL results
Fiji to pilot outsourcing of some passport and visa services Fiji’s Cabinet has given green light for the piloting of outsourcing of some passport and visa services. The initiative will establish application centres
Fiji tourism industry celebrates leaders and innovators at annual awards
The Sheraton Fiji Golf Resort and Spa sparkled with glamour and excitement as the venue of the 2023 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards on Saturday night. The event, attended by 700 tourism operators and
Solomon Islands Caretaker PM calls on Australia for a more serious dialogue on reciprocal visa waiver
Solomon Islands caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has re-emphasised Solomon Islands’ call to Australia for a serious and genuine dialogue on a visa reciprocal arrangement beyond the Pacific Engagement
Albert Nicholas appointed Cook Islands Deputy PM
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed the appointment of Albert Nicholas as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM). The Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston MP holds the Infrastructure Cook Islands,
At least 53 men killed in PNG tribal fighting
Papua New Guinea police say at least 53 people have died in a massacre in the country’s Highlands. A ghastly sight as a picture of bodies piled high on top each other on a police vehicle was shared on online platforms
Asylum seekers taken to Nauru amid renewed political stoush over border arrivals
More than 40 asylum seekers have been taken to Nauru after they were found in a remote part of Western Australia. Guardian Australia has confirmed a second group of 13 asylum seekers was found at an Indigenous campsite
Puma scales down operations, a fuel crisis is imminent in PNG
A fuel crisis is imminent with fuel and liquid gas supplier Puma Energy reducing its Papua New Guinea operation. Effective last Thursday, Puma Energy started to issue termination of contract notices to customers. Early
