Impressive results excite new BSP boss
New BSP Financial Group chief executive officer, Mark Robinson is impressed with steady results produced by BSP Group, not just for one year but for a longer period of time. He said the result does not only reflect a
PNG, Australia sign agreement to review forestry sector
Papua New Guinea’s Forest Authority (PNGFA) has successfully signed a cooperative memorandum of understanding with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to review and reform the forestry
Ocean Summit aims to secure pledges
Experts, ministers and philanthropists from around the world are meeting in Panama this Thursday and Friday in search of funding and new commitments to promote the “blue” economy, expand marine protected areas and
K100,000 paid for trio’s release: Tsiamalili MP
A ransom of K100,000 (US$28,000) was paid to armed bandits to secure the release of Australian-based Professor Bryce Barker and two local female researchers on Sunday, says Papua New Guinea Internal Security Minister
UN sets date for loss and damage talks
The United Nations has set a date for crunch talks over funding for climate victims despite Asia-Pacific developing countries’ failure to nominate their two representatives. The move piles pressure on the block to
Cyclone Judy lashes Vanuatu as residents hunker down
Residents of Vanuatu are hunkering down as a cyclone barrels through the Pacific island nation. Authorities said there were power outages in some areas and many fallen trees and branches, but it was too early to assess
Vanuatu braces for impending Category 3 cyclone
Vanuatu is bracing for the impact of a Category 2 cyclone, which is expected to intensify to a Category 3 over the course of this week. This was confirmed by Anthony Wong, the Weather Forecaster at the Vanuatu
Drought crisis to continue in Kiribati
Kiribati’s Minister for Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE) has said the current drought crisis affecting Kiribati is projected to continue in the coming months posing risks to health, sanitation and
Worry, frustration as UN tries to finally agree high seas treaty
UN member states have much work to do to finally agree a treaty to protect the high seas before scheduled negotiations close in five days, participants and observers say. After 15 years of formal and informal talks,
700 apply to be PNG teachers
Job scarcity has seen over 700 degree holders from other universities applying to the University of Goroka to become Papua New Guinea teachers so that they can have a permanent job, Vice Chancellor Dr Teng Waninga said.
Council advises President Whipps to fully protect marine sanctuary
In their 16 February 2023 letter to President Surangel Whipps Jr., Palau’s Council of Chiefs (COC) made their case on behalf of the people, that the integrity and full-protection of the territorial waters in the
Researchers held hostage in PNG released
Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has said all hostages taken by a Papua New Guinean criminal gang have been released, including an Australian academic, and will be reunited with their families.
Micronesian nations join UN’s demand for Russia to leave Ukraine
Micronesian nations have joined the international community in demanding Russia’s immediate retreat from Ukraine, one year after Moscow’s invasion which resulted in a protracted war that left tens of
Free Visa access to New Caledonia soon
Vanuatu and New Caledonia are expected to reach a visa waiver agreement soon. This news comes after a meeting between Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Solomon Islands urged to control 2023 Pacific Games spending
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the Solomon Islands to ensure spending on this year’s Pacific Games and the delayed general election are “well controlled to minimise the crowding out of other
Tributes and tears for Professor Brij Lal
It was closure for Professor Brij Lal’s family, as they said their last farewell and finally fulfilled the historian’s dying wish to be laid to rest at his home in Tabia village in northern Fiji on Saturday.
Kiribati returns to Forum, Nauru’s Waqa next Secretary General
Pacific leaders prayed together, ate together and by the end of a long retreat today, saw Kiribati’s full return to the Pacific Islands Forum and a much larger role for its Micronesian members. Former Nauru President
Alleged prisons brutality condemned
Two of Fiji’s government ministers have condemned the alleged assault of a man at the Suva Remand Centre, who was hospitalised with severe injuries. Speaking at the Blackrock Camp, Home Affairs Minister, Pio
Guam, Saipan anticipate surge in travel demand from Japan
Slowing reemerging from their Covid-triggered hiatus, Japanese travelers are getting ready to board the plane again, with Guam and Saipan on top of their destination list this summer. The promising summer travel demand
Seven reasons to get excited about HSBC Los Angeles Sevens
The men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 will reach its halfway point during the HSBC Los Angeles Sevens this weekend. Following five of 11 tournaments, New Zealand lead the standings on 85 points, nine points
Pacific workers well cared for but worried about work
Seasonal workers from the Pacific are bunking in emergency shelters after Cyclone Gabrielle tore through New Zealand’s North Island as they wait to hear if there’s still work available for them. Alusio
PNG Police to ensure safe release of hostages
Papua New Guinea security personnel are authorised to use the full force of the law to secure the people being held in Bosavi, Nipa-Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province, by an armed criminal gang since Sunday, February
Oceania bishops’ assembly spotlights climate crisis
When dozens of Catholic bishops from Oceania gathered in Suva, Fiji, earlier this month, plans to hold a prayer service next to the ocean were derailed by stormy weather, offering a natural illustration of how the very