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
Australian PM reaffirms backing for PNG NRL side
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has doubled down on his support for ARLC chairman Peter V’landys’ National Rugby League (NRL) expansion bid, calling for a 20-team competition. V’landys is reportedly
ANT Bicycles Tonga: The first bicycle rental shop in the Kingdom
Visitors to Tonga have a new way of exploring Tongatapu thanks to Alamoni and Taniela Takeifanga. They are the proud owners of ANT Bicycles Tonga, the first family-owned bicycle rental business in the heart of
Black Wednesday: PNG’s Tinder Box explodes
Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, is recovering from looting and burning of businesses in its National Capital District (NCD) after members of the PNG Police Force went on strike last month. “Black
Opinion: The politics of riots in Melanesia
The riots that erupted in the Papua New Guinea capital, Port Moresby, on January 10 have left a trail of destruction likely to have severe political ramifications. Such disturbances in Melanesia’s major cities are not
Sky-high hopes from Starlink
But experts say it's not the sole solution In the vast expanse of the Pacific, where connectivity challenges have persisted for decades, the arrival of Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, is creating
Whispers
Is Tuvalu next? Is Australia heading for another major embarrassment with Tuvalu in its geopolitical strategy in the South Pacific? There were strong indications in the hours before this edition of Islands Business went
Whose tune is sweetest in the Pacific game of musical chairs?
Soon after Australia signed the Falepili union agreement with Tuvalu at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in December, there was chatter that Nauru was next on the list for a similar deal with the Australians.
