Double earthquake hits Madang province
A double earthquake hit Madang last night, causing damage to lives and properties at a cost that would be confirmed this week. The epicentre was around the Bibi area near Saidor government station in Rai Coast district.
Biden declares state of emergency for Guam and CNMI
US President Joe Biden Monday has declared a state of emergency for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands and ordered federal assistance to supplement local responses to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Bolaven.
Patriot missile plan stirs debate in Palau
Stationing a U.S. missile system in Palau would be for security not aggression as the Pacific island country’s close relationship with the United States means it is already a target of possible attack, President
Tonga bow out with World Cup win over Romania
Solomone Kata scored two tries as Tonga gave retiring coach Toutai Kefu a winning send-off with a seven-try 45-24 victory over Romania as the two canon-fodder teams of the Group of Death served up a cracker after
Quarterfinals for RWC 2023 confirmed, Portugal secure historic win over Fiji
The fixtures for the quarterfinals of Rugby World Cup 2023 have been confirmed with Fiji just squeaking through to meet England. Host nation France will play reigning and three-time champions South Africa and the
Charlot Salwai elected prime minister of Vanuatu
Vanuatu’s prime minister Sato Kilman has been voted out through a motion-of-no-confidence in the country’s parliament Friday in Port Vila. Radio New Zealand reports that the motion was carried by a show of
Forum to develop regional strategy on labour mobility
The annual meeting of Trade Ministers from the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji has agreed on the need to develop a regional strategy on labour mobility in the Pacific, citing the welfare of workers from Pacific Island
More asylum seekers sent to Nauru
A group of asylum seekers who attempted to arrive in Australia by boat has been sent to Nauru just months after the last people were removed from immigration detention on the Pacific nation. Guardian Australia
Japan begins releasing second batch of treated Fukushima water into the Pacific ocean
Japan began releasing a second batch of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant on Thursday, the plant’s operator said, as tensions with neighbouring countries over the move
Westpac to maintain Pacific presence, cancels sale of PNG, Fiji banks
Westpac has decided to maintain a presence in the South Pacific after the federal government indicated it wants to see Australian companies maintain a role in the region. The Australian Financial Review reports the bank
Fukushima nuclear waste water issue to be a standing agenda item at next PALM meeting
As Japan will begin releasing a second batch of wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant Thursday, the issue is expected to be a standing agenda item between the Pacific and Japan at the Pacific Islands
SPBD businesswomen lauded at annual awards
The Vodafone Arena in Suva last week was full-packed with radiant businesswomen celebrating their efforts at the 12th annual South Pacific Business Development awards. SPBD Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Greg
COVID19 a wake-up call for Pacific countries to strengthen social security systems
The COVID19 crisis was a wake-up call for many Pacific Island Countries to enhance their social security systems. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), its 14 Pacific Developing Member Countries (PMDCs) were
French criticism of nuclear ban treaty highlights Canberra’s dilemma
Can Australia rebuild a strategic military partnership with France at the same time as independence movements claim Pacific support? On 28 September, the Assembly of French Polynesia unanimously passed a resolution
Vanuatu PM Kilman no longer commands majority
Power transitioned from the Vanuatu Government to the Opposition in Parliament during the Fifth Extraordinary Session convened to debate the motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Sato Kilman, Monday. The
Labour mobility a ‘double-edged word’: Samoa Chamber of Commerce President Seulupe
Samoa’s private sector members are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and are unable to take on the added expense of a minimum wage increase while navigating multiple challenges. That is the view of
U.S. groping for contingency plan amid expiration of COFA’s economic provisions
The U.S. economic provisions for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Marshall Islands under the Compacts of Free Association expired on 30 September without being renewed as the U.S. Congress continued to
Tuvalu, Kiribati climate migrants ‘need immigration pathway’
Immigration reforms are urgently needed to create a pathway for climate migration to Aotearoa New Zealand from the low-lying atoll countries of Tuvalu and Kiribati, a researcher says. “There are currently no formal
Australia says it has no duty to asylum seekers in PNG
The Australian government says it is not responsible for 70 asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea who have been evicted from temporary accommodation. The asylum seekers have been in limbo since the 2017 closure of the
History three-peats itself as Cleary masterclass guides Panthers to glory
Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has produced the finest performance of his career to lead the premiers to a remarkable 26-24 triumph over the Broncos in an epic decider at Accor Stadium. Trailing by 16 points after an
‘Thankful’ Fiji edge Georgia to push Australia toward Rugby World Cup exit
Anxious and error-prone Fiji fought back to beat fading Georgia 17-12 on Saturday and remain on course for the World Cup quarter-finals, pushing Australia to the brink of elimination. Fiji scored two second-half tries
Springboks beat feisty Tonga 49-18 as they await knockout fate
Defending champions South Africa scored seven tries and moved a step closer to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a bruising 49-18 victory over impressive Tonga in their Pool B clash on Sunday. Many of the 60,387
Nauru Airlines set to secure U.S. foreign air carrier permit
Nauru Airlines has tentatively secured a foreign air carrier permit from the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT), allowing it to operate scheduled passenger and cargo flights between Nauru and Guam