Reduce voting age to 18: Samoa Election inquiry
A Commission of Inquiry (COI) has recommended Samoa lower its voting age from 21 to 18 so teens can cast their votes like their peers in the region. The recommendation calling for Samoa’s voting age to be
PNGDF Commander Goina suspended
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has announced the suspension of the Defence Commander, Major General Mark Goina, from duties for three months. This is so that the General Board of Inquiry established by the
Special envoy urges Pacific nations to ‘ratify and implement’ oceans agreements
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean says while great strides have been made towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG14) on sustainable ocean management and conservation,
2023 Pacific Games Stadium project handover, a testimony of genuine partnership
Solomon Islands Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the Pacific Games 2023, Manasseh Sogavare has termed as “totally appropriate” the 2023 Pacific Games investment. Sogavare made the statement while
Sopoaga helps Manu Samoa to win, Flying Fijians beaten by France
Lima Sopoaga made a strong debut for Manu Samoa, helping the side to a 28-14 win over the Barbarians in Brive, France at the weekend. The match were among pre-Rugby World Cup warm up matches across Europe at the
Crown Prince launches Tongan passport printing in U.S.
Over 70,000 Tongans living in the United States will now have access to Tongan passport printing services in California. Crown Prince Tupuoto‘a ‘Ulukalala launched the new Tongan passport printing services at the
West Papua high on agenda as MSG leaders set to convene in Port Vila
The Pacific region’s focus will shift briefly to Port Vila this week when Vanuatu hosts the heads of governments from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the leader of the FLNKS of New Caledonia for the
Vanuatu Opposition demands new Speaker
A motion of no confidence was lodged and registered Friday by the Vanuatu Opposition bloc, moved by Johnny Koanapo, Member of Parliament for Tanna Constituency, and Malekula MP Gracia Shadrack, to remove the Speaker of
Fisheries app to cross ocean divide
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has launched a free app to help fisheries officials around the Pacific overcome the language barrier while inspecting foreign fishing vessels at sea and in port.
Fijian aged care worker awarded 2023 HealthX carer of the year
Fijian aged care worker, Tupou Dilagi Naikidi (Dee), has been awarded the HealthX Carer of the Year Award for 2023. Dee is one of many Fijians recruited by the HealthX group under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility
World Cup final rematches headline end of year Pacific Championships
The Kangaroos will host Toa Samoa and the Jillaroos will play the Kiwi Ferns in re-matches of last year’s World Cup finals to kick off a new Pacific Championships involving men’s and women’s teams from seven
Samoa PM Fiame Mata’afa calls to prioritise Pacific security
Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa sounded a warning to the heads of Pacific’s maritime forces to be mindful of the current geo-political interest and attention towards the blue Pacific region. She
Vanuatu PM Kalsakau survive no-confidence vote
Vanuatu narrowly avoided a political crisis as Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday. Vote of no confidence against PM Kalsakau was defeated as opposition failed to
Samoa claims gold at paddling World Champs
Anne Cairns has won Samoa’s first gold medal at the International Va’a Federation World Distance Championship 2023 while Nu’u Muliaga claimed Samoa’s first medal, a bronze on Wednesday. The
Fijian Drua 2024 fixtures released
Fans can expect another action-packed Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season as 2024 fixtures for the Fijian Drua have been released this week. For the first time, Fijian Drua will host NSW Waratahs and Western Force on
Drought warning in PNG
A severe drought similar to the 1997 drought is projected to worsen the situation in Papua New Guinea. Provinces currently under high risk drought watch include; Southern Highlands, Hela, Chimbu and lately some parts of
Hainan Airlines to start flying next month to Samoa
A Chinese Airline based in Haikou, Hainan Airlines is expected to recommence its services next month as Samoa’s Civil Aviation Division is finalising the application from the airline to continue direct flights to
Logging tax killed industry: PNG MP Namah
Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah says raising the logging export tax has “killed the logging industry” in Papua New Guinea. “The Treasurer (Ian Ling-Stuckey) has literally killed the logging industry,” Namah said.
Military leaders convene for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence meeting in Fiji
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the Chiefs of Defence from the Asia-Pacific region meeting provided an opportunity for participants to strengthen people to people relationships, share ideas, learn from
BSP facing more system issues than expected
Bank South Pacific (BSP) has come out with an apology and explanation on the current technical difficulties experienced in Papua New Guinea since the implementation of the new Information Technology core banking system
Call for a review of the ‘regional architecture’ to address the needs of Forum Members
With so many regional plans, strategies, frameworks – and now the 2050 Strategy, some Pacific countries are concerned with how benefits are flowing to member countries. There are now calls to review the ‘regional
Artists set sail for Marshall Islands hoping for Climate wake-up call
A group of artists will set sail for the remote Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean hoping their trip through one of the world’s most vulnerable regions will draw attention to the impact of climate change and
Palau Finance Minister welcomes audit of stablecoin project
Palau’s Minister of Finance Kaleb Udui Jr said he welcomes the audit by the Public Auditor of Palau’s stablecoin project as requested by the Senate. “We have nothing to hide. We have been working with