‘People are suffering’: Kiribati’s judicial crisis
The opposition in Kiribati wants answers from the government about the ongoing crisis in the country’s judiciary. The government last year dismissed the chief justice and three Court of Appeal judges – all
Solomon Islands: Suidani disqualified for not recognising One China policy
Solomon Islands Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Rollen Seleso has disqualified former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani from the Malaita Provincial Assembly in accordance with section
Observer Group releases final report on Fiji’s 2022 General Election
The final report from the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) for the 2022 Fiji General Election has made 20 recommendations to the Government of Fiji on how to further improve the country’s electoral system, policies
2023 Pacific Games countdown
The Pacific Games is being held in Solomon Islands for the first time ever this year, and will welcome a new wave of talented athletes, and the return of Pacific veterans. In weightlifting, champions Dika Toua, Morea
Blockchain technology a game changer for Vanuatu, report shows
A recently released report by Pacific Advisory, funded by Oxfam International and Australian Aid, has identified blockchain technology as a game-changer for Vanuatu. The report provides a path forward to achieve the
New images from inside Fukushima reactor spark safety worry
Images captured by a robotic probe inside one of the three melted reactors at Japan’s wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant showed exposed steel bars in the main supporting structure and parts of its thick
USA disagrees with Vanuatu-led climate resolution
The United States one of the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has disagreed with the Vanuatu-led resolution of seeking an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the states’
Vanuatu ‘still struggling’ with cyclone aftermath
Save the Children says about half of Vanuatu’s population is still struggling to access safe drinking water and nutritious food in the wake of the Category Four cyclones Judy and Kevin, which hit the island nation in
FLNKS joins bilateral talks in Paris
A delegation from the Kanak independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) travels to Paris this week, for discussions with the French government on New Caledonia’s political status.
BPNG to discontinue private sector cheques in December
The Bank of PNG will discontinue the use of private sector cheques by 31 December 2023. The National Payments Council (NPC), chaired by the acting Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), has announced that
Eight jailed for cocaine washed up on Tongan beach
Eight Tongans in Vava’u were sentenced to between three years to 13.5 years’ imprisonment for their opportunistic roles in handling blocks of cocaine from a large shipment, found washed up on ‘Otualea Beach
Four dead, 17 injured in PNG earthquake
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake which hit East Sepik’s Chambri Lakes at around 4am Monday reportedly killed four people, injured 17 and destroyed more than 300 homes, according to Papua New Guinea police. Provincial police
Cop28 host UAE tried to weaken global shipping climate ambition
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) tried to weaken global shipping’s climate target last week, sparking fears that it will lack ambition as host of the Cop28 climate summit. According to four sources in the room, the UAE
Cook Islands pressing ahead with environment policy
It’s a document which received applause from Cook Islands environmentalists and school students alike when it was launched last week. The Cook Islands National Environment Policy 2022-32 is an attempt to ‘escalate
PNG assesses damage after powerful earthquake
Disaster relief workers in Papua New Guinea were assessing the extent of damage in a remote region Monday following a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Some buildings and homes were destroyed near the quake’s
More Pacific NRL stars opt to play for their homelands
With this year’s National Rugby League (NRL) season now up and running, the prevalence of Pacific players in the tournament is again obvious to see. All NRL teams now feature stars with Pacific heritage –
Barrick finalises deal to restart PNG gold mine
Barrick Gold Corp is set to restart operations at one of its biggest gold mines after inking a deal with Papua New Guinea’s government over its shuttered mine in the southwest Pacific island nation. The world’s
BSP ‘has standing’ in tax case in PNG
The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has ruled that the Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP) has standing to pursue a case challenging the constitutionality of the “additional company tax”. A five-man
Tourism is a vital sector of Vanuatu’s economy: Seremaiah
Vanuatu’s Minister of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business, Matai Seremaiah, has welcomed the reinstatement of Virgin Australia Airline’s scheduled services to Vanuatu after its last flight on 15
Vanuatu reviews immigration and labour policies
Vanuatu’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) is undertaking a comprehensive review of immigration and labour policies and legislation to create a system that is attractive to investors and benefits the private
Deep-sea mining meeting closes without consensus
As meetings to oversee deep-sea mining on the high seas draw to a close, it remains unclear whether regulators will allow it to commence in the near future. At the 07-31 March meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, of the
First Drua double header at home ‘a success’
The first Drua double header at home was a tremendous success. The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua took to the field first at the HFC Bank Stadium and they were quick to pounce on the Melbourne Rebels women right from the
USP graduation exemplifies excellence
Regional students share their experiences Over 1,786 tertiary students received their accreditation at the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) first graduation ceremony for 2023, with 61% of those graduating being