Despite Tuvalu PM missing out, supporters of Falepili Treaty remain
The results of Tuvalu’s weekend election have shockingly resulted in former Prime Minister Kausea Natano failing to secure enough votes among the 6,000 registered voters in eight constituencies. Pacific Media
PNG MP coy on security talks with China
Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko Tuesday avoided questions about a potential security and policing deal with China, and instead extolled security relationships between PNG and Australia.
Bad weather dampens travel plans for Tuvalu MPs
Bad weather after last week’s election in Tuvalu has delayed travel to the capital for outer island MPs ahead of a prime ministerial election. Senior electoral officer Semi Malaki says official results released
Possible to have a Motion of No Confidence this year: Vanuatu Opposition Leader
The newly appointed Opposition Leader in Vanuatu and Member of Parliament for Port Vila, Ishmael Kalsakau has indicated the potential for a Motion of No Confidence against the Prime Minister if specific concerns
Japan to host Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in July; plans to offer Climate support, counter China’s Influence
The Japanese government has begun final arrangements to host the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) in mid-July, inviting the leaders of all 18 Pacific Island Forum (PIF) members to Tokyo. At the summit, Japan
Papua New Guinea in talks with China on security cooperation, foreign minister says
Papua New Guinea is in early talks with China on a potential security and policing deal, the country’s foreign minister Justin Tkachenko has said, weeks after deadly riots in the country’s capital. Amid jostling
Fiji Business Briefs: Pine harvesting, Nabouwalu development, Kinetic Growth updates
RBF gives insurers time to implement new standards The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) says licensed insurers will only have to reflect new reporting standards in their prudential reporting from 1 January 2026. This follows
PNG coalition intact, no split in government
Papua New Guinea Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Pila Niningi has brushed claims of a “split” in the coalition government, saying it is intact with the ruling Pangu Pati’s 53 MPs united. “So much rumour
Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan Prime Minister Natano loses seat in partial election results
The pro-Taiwan leader of the Pacific islands nation of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, has lost his seat according to partial election results. The vote is being closely watched by Taiwan, China and the United States, amid
Tuvalu general election: Six newcomers in parliament
Tuvalu’s senior electoral official has confirmed there will be six new MPs and 10 returning to Parliament following the 2024 general election which saw former Prime Minister Kausea Natano ousted. The country went
David Pocock condemns Australia’s fossil fuel projects as an ‘existential threat’ to Pacific neighbours
The independent senator David Pocock says the Australian government is failing to listen to its “Pacific family” and must stop approving new fossil fuel projects that fuel “an existential threat for those
$2 billion drug bust, 13 charged in Fiji
Thirteen people have been charged in relation to the seizure of more than four tonnes of methamphetamine in Nadi, Fiji, following consultation with the Office of the Director
China-born businesswoman charged over meth flight built a web of influence in PNG
Mei Lin is a prominent member of Papua New Guinea’s business community, with ties to influential locals. She’s also allegedly a key player in an audacious drug trafficking plot. Key Findings Chinese-born
Huge rogue waves smash into remote U.S. military base in Pacific
“Gigantic” waves swamped parts of a key U.S. military facility in the middle of the Pacific Ocean last weekend, causing damage that will take months to repair, according to a U.S. Army report. A video posted on X
Taiwan condemns Nauru for accepting One China principle
Taiwan has criticised Nauru for accepting China’s “One China” principle on Wednesday. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it expressed “deep regret and strong condemnation” after Nauru and
Palau ratifies UN Ocean Treaty
Palau on Monday became the first nation to officially ratify the UN Ocean Treaty. “As the first country to officially ratify the UN Ocean Treaty, Palau has jumped into the lead in the race to ratification,” said
Hilda Heine inaugurated as Marshall Islands President
Marshall Islands’ President, Hilda Heine has been inaugurated in Majuro in the presence of dignitaries from across Micronesia. President Heine was re-elected on 27 December last year for a second term as the
Dr Piukala appointed WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific
The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board today confirmed the appointment of Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala of Tonga as WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. Following his
PNG Immigration under investigation
Papua New Guinea’s government has engaged prominent accounting firm KPMG to investigate the PNG Humanitarian Programme and its links to an alleged Chinese drug dealer. The investigation will also cover the PNG
Japan’s top diplomat eyes Fiji trip for Pacific island talks next month
Japan’s Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa is arranging a visit to Fiji in the first half of February to attend a ministerial meeting with Pacific island countries and territories, diplomatic sources have said, in an
Taiwan affirms close relations with Tuvalu
Taiwan maintains deep ties with Tuvalu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said, amid reports the Pacific Island nation may switch recognition to Beijing. Tuvalu Ambassador to Taiwan, Bikenibeu Paeniu recently told
Woman arrested over alleged PNG drug smuggling plot
A Chinese woman arrested over an alleged $15 million drug smuggling plot has been associated with businesses that have reportedly received payments from an Australian government-funded refugee programme in Papua New
U.S. to end CNMI’s visa-waiver programme for Chinese travellers
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed the prescreening of Chinese travellers before coming to the CNMI as part of a transition plan leading to the eventual termination of the visa waiver programme for
