Biden Administration vows to renew Compacts with Palau, FSM and RMI
The Biden administration has committed to renewing the Compacts of Free Association, with Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. The promise of renewal of the partnership agreements from the United
Major powers question Marshall Islands nuclear legacy bid
Nuclear powers have criticised an effort led by the Marshall Islands at the United Nations to seek help on dealing with the consequences of nuclear testing, sources following the talks involving countries including the
PNG Chief Justice steps down from official duties
Papua New Guinea Justice Minister and Attorney, General Pila Niningi has announced that PNG Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika has stepped down from official duties for an indefinite period, as of Wednesday October 5,
Three more NZ judges to face tribunal in Kiribati
Kiribati will put another three New Zealand judges before a tribunal for misconduct, as New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta warns of “constitutional issues” in the Pacific nation. The Kiribati government has
Kiribati welcomes resumed airline service
The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement by Nauru Airlines to resume its Island Hopper Service from October 16. This service last operated in March 2020, prior to the COVID-19 international
Opinion: More of the same is not the answer to building influence in the Pacific
Following almost a decade of geopolitically driven “stepping up”, ‘uplifting’, ‘resetting’, and “stepping up across the board”, it appears that Western governments believe more of the same will achieve
State debt is K51billion, says BPNG
Papua New Guinea’s total debt at the end of June was K51billion (US$14 billion), which is expected to increase to K54 billion (US$15 billion) by the end of the year, according to the Bank of PNG. The K54 billion
Probe on PNG election officials
Papua New Guinea Police are investigating the conduct of some election managers and returning officers for election-related offences during the 2022 PNG General Election, says Director of Crimes Joel Simatab. Simatab
VT150 million for Vanuatu snap election
The total budget to run the upcoming Vanuatu snap election is VT150 million (US$1.2 million), Electoral Commission Chairman, Edward Kaltamat confirmed. In addition to that, the Australian government has also stepped in
Marshall Islands takes U.S nuclear legacy to Human Rights Council
Health and environmental problems linger on decades after the United States detonated 67 nuclear bombs in the Marshall Islands. It will be the second environment-related initiative that the small island country
Guam to join Pacific Islands Forum
Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has announced that Guam would apply for membership in the Pacific Islands Forum. “The Pacific Islands Forum is seen as the united front for all the Pacific island leaders,” she said
Opinion: Bougainville signals tough line on independence
In the last 100 years we have had to endure hardships from oppressive regimes who sought to take away our resources, our rights and even our lives. Our struggle for independence has been a long one. In 2019, a
PNG Govt in talks with global credit agencies
Papua New Guinea’s Government is in talks with the global credit rating agencies, S&P Global and Moodys in an effort to lower the country’s credit rating. Minister for Treasury Ian Ling-Stuckey said PNG has
FijiKava eyes U.S. expansion after acquiring Leilo
FijiKava has executed an agreement to acquire ready-to-drink kava brand Leilo in the United States. The company will acquire 100 percent of Leilo stock in a share swap transaction, which will give it access to Leilo’s
Gaston Flosse given suspended prison sentence
French Polynesia’s former president and veteran politician, Gaston Flosse has been given a suspended prison sentence for producing a fake contract to register as a Papeete voter. The criminal court gave him a
Solomon Islands may remain least developed till 2024: Manele
Solomon Islands may not shed its least-developed country status by the 2024 target after suffering economic setbacks, Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele said Monday. More than 40 countries are classified by the UN as
Tonga and PNG announce World Cup line-ups
Titans forward David Fifita is expected to pull on a Tonga jersey for the first time in next weekend’s World Cup (RLWC) warm-up match against France in England. Fifita is one of 21 NRL stars in the 24-man Mate
Solomon Islands Provident Fund to pay $77.5m to members
Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) has awarded a 2.65 per cent interest to its members for the financial year 2021 to 2022. Supervising Finance minister Dr Culwick Togamana announced the rating saying the
PNG Govt position on Bougainville
Bougainville’s push for independence has hit a constitutional snag with top legal advisors telling the National Government that nothing can usurp the power and authority of the Constitution. The PNG Government’s
Nauru Airlines to resume north Pacific service
Nauru Airlines is expected this month to resume air service linking Brisbane with islands in the central and north Pacific halted two-and-a-half-years ago due to COVID border closures. Nauru Airlines was the successful
Governments miss UN deadline to improve climate plans
Almost all the world’s governments have failed to improve their climate plans this year, breaking a promise made at last year’s climate summit in Glasgow, UK. At Cop26, all countries agreed to “revisit and
PNG win Melanesia Cup
PNG came out on top of the MSG Prime Ministers Cup 2022. The tournament, previously known as the Melanesia Cup and reborn this year, was held in Vanuatu and finished in an exciting final on Friday, September 30. To make
Captains ready for Rugby World Cup in New Zealand
Captains of all 12 nations competing at Rugby World Cup 2021 gathered at the world-famous Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday as anticipation reaches fever pitch ahead of kick-off on October 8. Eden Park has twice hosted