Palau to launch stablecoin in October
Setting a digital currency trend in the region, Palau is slated to launch a dry run of its stablecoin in October, according to Kaleb Udui Jr., the country’s finance minister. “Initially, we are starting a very small
PNG leaders to declare business transactions
Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Commission (OC) has reviewed its annual statement forms, meaning that a total of 452 leaders will now have to declare all their business transactions. PNG Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen
Chuuk in FSM loses COVID-free status
Chuuk, in the Federated States of Micronesia, is no longer a COVID-free state, with 480 infections reported as of September 26, the office of the Governor of Chuuk announced. Out of the total infections confirmed, there
Exercise Cartwheel: Largest Pacific military exercise in decades
A military exercise in Fiji involving the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand ends this week as the traditional allies counter China’s growing influence in the region. The 11-day Exercise Cartwheel in
Watch Women Win: in NZ and the Pacific
The role of women in leadership is slowly becoming accepted in our society, but the pace of this acceptance leaves much to be desired. And both men and women are partly to blame for that. That was the view of ANZ New
Pacific Corrections Commissions encourage ‘local-led solutions’
A locally-led solution might be the answer to the common challenges Pacific Regional Corrections Commissions face in their communities. This suggestion was put forward by the Acting National Commissioner for the New
Bridging the digital divide in the Cook Islands
Cook Islands’ Avaroa Cable Limited (ACL) has revealed its selection of Hawaiki Submarine Cable LP to further improve the nation’s ICT via turnkey provision from Samoa to Australia. The state-owned enterprise
Center for future Guam entrepreneurs unveiled
A place for University of Guam students and island residents to help launch their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs was unveiled at the University of Guam last Thursday. Bank of Guam and University of Guam leadership
Samoan tuna company working to reestablish exports post-COVID
Apia Export Fish Packers, a Samoa-based tuna fishing company that employs only local residents, is working to get back in the export game post-COVID. Apia Export Fish Packers Co-Owner Steve Cleverly told SeafoodSource
Elusive atmospheric wave detected during Tonga volcanic eruption
The catastrophic eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano in 2022 triggered a special atmospheric wave that has eluded detection for the past 85 years. Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at
‘I am shocked’: UN Human Rights Commissioner addresses Papua mutilations
United Nations Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif has expressed ‘shock’ over reports of West Papua mutilations at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council. “In the Papua region (Papua
Pacific to seek deferment of UN vote on Climate Justice
Vanuatu and its regional coalition partners will be seeking a deferral of the vote on the climate justice initiative to the end of 2022, to allow more time to lobby for a simple majority vote. This was conveyed by the
Washington and Australia should focus on climate change, says Pacific leaders
Washington should accept Pacific Island priorities for the region, making climate change – not superpower competition – the most urgent security task, the region’s leaders said in Hawaii, ahead of a
Matches at home to boost PNG rugby league bid
Papua New Guinea National Rugby League (NRL) Bid 2025 chief executive Andrew Hill says more SP Hunters home games at the National Football Stadium will help the country’s cause. He said after the Hunters’ 30-28
SES and Digicel to further improve Tonga’s ICT
SES and Digicel have announced they will extend their partnership to provide the Kingdom of Tonga with long-term disaster resiliency to minimise bandwidth disruptions. Under the agreement, Digicel will benefit from
Communications at the heart of the Red Cross response
It was a time to reflect, prepare, support, and respond for the Pacific National Red Cross Societies as they met face-to-face for the first time since COVID for five days in Nadi this month. The Head of the
PNG Health sector faces ‘serious shortfall in manpower’: Kapavore
Papua New Guinea Shadow Minister for Health and Public Service, Elias Kapavore has supported comments made by the Health Minister Dr Lino Tom and Health Secretary Dr Liko, to review and repeal the recent amendment to
PNG earthquake death toll at 10
Death toll for the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea has now reached 10 after a man was reported to be killed by rocks from a land slide. Kiki Samuel in his mid 40s was at the Leron River to
Motion of no confidence over Kiribati’s treatment of judges
The Kiribati opposition is planning to bring a motion of no confidence in the Government of President Taneti Maamau. This follows the attempt to remove and deport Justice David Lambourne, the suspension of the Chief
Samoa Opposition MPs reinstated to Parliament
The suspended Samoa opposition leader and his party secretary have been reinstated to Parliament. Samoa’s Opposition Human Rights Protection Party leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and party secretary,
“This is huge for Fiji”: Ben Gollings
Ben Gollings had some big shoes to fill when he followed in the footsteps of Ben Ryan and Gareth Baber as coach of the Fiji men’s sevens team in December 2021. Both had become heroes in their adopted nation for
Solomon Islands tuna production rises despite COVID
Tuna production in the Solomon Islands increased this year despite a significantly smaller fish catch. The latest Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) quarterly report shows that the total catch dropped by 22% due to
Oceania mourns passing of Queen Elizabeth II
Pacific leaders to attend state funeral Oceania is mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch at age 96. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna said: “Her impact