Fiji budget debate: Rabuka flags possible mini budget
Fiji’s Prime Minister said his government may deliver a mini-budget six months from now in order to ensure close monitoring of the 2023–2024 Budget. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told parliament yesterday: “This
Seoul back Fukushima water plan, PIF panelist hits back at IAEA decision
South Korea says it believes Japan’s plan to release treated water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant will meet international standards, days after a United Nations atomic agency review of the
Pacific “mixed feelings” after compromise on shipping’s climate goals
Governments have agreed to an improved set of climate goals for the shipping sector after climate vulnerable Pacific nations and trade-reliant emerging economies struck a compromise at talks in London. After two weeks
Civil Society call for release of Indo-Pacific Trade Pact Text
Pacific civil society groups are calling for the release of agreements and key documents from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). A letter was sent to Trade Ministers after the May meeting of Trade
New partnership to further improve Fiji’s kava production
The Fiji National University and the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA Plus) have launched a collaborative research initiative to further improve the consistency and reliability of
Asia, Pacific flights touted in Newcastle Airport expansion
Jetting direct to Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific from Newcastle is on the horizon, but will depend on commitments from big carriers as its new international terminal rises at its Williamtown base at the end of
IMO agrees to nonbinding target to achieve net zero “around 2050”
International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states have reached a tentative deal on the thorny question of bringing shipping into line with the Paris Agreement. The newly-agreed MEPC climate roadmap calls for
RAAF team delivers critical training in Fiji
In a demonstration of dedication and flexibility, a team of instructors from the Royal Australian Air Force School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT) was deployed to Fiji to deliver critical training to
Indonesia President Joko’s Papua visit sparks fresh hope in hostage saga of NZ pilot
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo will visit the far-eastern province of Papua this week after flagging his government is working to secure the release of a New Zealand pilot detained for five months. Philip Mark
Governments set to fail to plot shipping industry course for 1.5C
A campaign by climate-vulnerable Pacific islands to raise governments’ ambition on emissions-cutting for the global shipping industry looks set to fail at talks in London. With just over a day of negotiations left at
Australian diplomats convinced ICAC to censor Pacific nations where Maguire schemed. It didn’t work.
Federal Australian officials successfully persuaded the NSW corruption watchdog to “de-identify” a group of Pacific countries mentioned in last week’s report on Gladys Berejiklian’s and Daryl Maguire’s
New Zealand pushes back on Pacific-wide free movement
New Zealand cabinet ministers have considered, but dismissed for now, a Pacific proposal for easier movement of people around the region. Pacific Islanders are subject to tougher entry conditions when they try to visit
Fukushima plan to release water into ocean approved by UN watchdog IAEA
The UN’s nuclear watchdog has approved plans by Japan to release more than 1m tonnes of water from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, despite objections from local fishing
PNG Kina overvalued
Papua New Guinea foreign exchange (FX) shortages have repeatedly been identified by business leaders in PNG as the most serious impediment to private sector development in the country, according to the International
Samoa Supreme Court voids former PM Tuilaepa and Lealailepule suspension
The Samoa Supreme Court today ruled that the suspension of former Prime Minister the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Tuilaepa Sailele Malilegaoi and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi for two
Niue’s only newspaper turns 30
Last month marks the 30th anniversary since the first issue of Niue Star was published on the 11th of June 1993. The family owned newspaper is the pride of Michael and Halosi Jackson of Hakupu. BCN News spoke
Port Moresby suppresses West Papua flag raising ahead of Indonesian president’s visit
Authorities in Papua New Guinea have clamped down on displays of the West Papuan independence flag ahead of the Indonesian president’s visit to the Pacific island country this week. Papua New Guinea, which has a
Israel frees Fijian UN peacekeepers cleared of drug smuggling suspicion
Israel has released three Fijian UN peacekeepers arrested for drug smuggling, after it emerged the suspicious substance they were carrying across the border was not liquid cocaine, police said Sunday. The three
Tourism recovery is going to be harder for Palau
Tourism recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic for Palau will be harder than before due to significant policy changes in some of Palau’s key tourism markets and a more competitive global tourism market. Director Kristy
MSG a vibrant group despite challenge: Vanuatu Foreign Minister
The fever of the gathering of the Melanesian family through the upcoming 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST) began last week with the gathering of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) foreign Ministers at
PNG Trade Minister Maru wants Trukai sale probed
The Papua New Guinea Government has directed the Securities Commission of PNG to investigate the sale to an Australian company of a substantial local shareholding in Trukai Industries. International Trade and Investment
Pentagon ordered to probe undersea mining to counter China
The Metals Company, a mineral explorer of the Pacific Ocean floor, is welcoming United States Congressional efforts to elevate contentious undersea mining to help achieve battery metal independence from
“Tough” Budget passed in Cook Islands Parliament
Cook Islands Parliament has officially passed the Budget after a grueling two-week session. Prime Minister Mark Brown praised the work of all parliamentarians over the past fortnight. It was the first time the Budget
Congressmen angry that Bikini islanders’ nuclear trust fund may have been ‘squandered’
Following widespread media coverage of the collapse of what was a more than US$70 million trust fund for Bikini islanders displaced by American nuclear weapons testing, the United States Congress has demanded answers
