Cook Islands Parliament makes changes to seabed mining law
The Cook Islands has made amendments to its Seabed Minerals Act this week, including replacing the term “mining” with “minerals harvesting … to reflect the actual activity that takes
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Vanuatu referendum seeks to instill stability after revolving-door governments
An upcoming referendum in Vanuatu to outlaw political-party hopping by legislators has sparked lively debate in the Pacific island country, which has faced three changes of government in the past year. Dissatisfaction
Fiji, Samoa and Tonga all options for future NSW Cup NRL
The NSW Rugby League has set their sights on fielding teams from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in their main competition as part of the game’s push into the Pacific. The code’s Pacific expansion remains a key
Palau Development Bank pushes for deposit-taking license to fill funding gap
The National Development Bank of Palau (NDBP) is seeking to expand its role in the island nation’s financial system by offering deposit services and potentially issuing savings bonds. This move aims to address a
‘Ball is in PM’s court’: Tonga’s former attorney general says communication is key
A former Attorney General of Tonga says there’s still a chance to resolve matters between the two main authorities in Tonga. ‘Aminiasi Kefu was the acting Attorney General of Tonga from 2014 to 2019. His
Continue aviation fuel supply, PNG court tells fuel supplier Puma Energy
Papua New Guinea National Court has ordered Puma Energy to continue supplying aviation fuel to Air Niugini until 27 February as per their agreement, describing the fuel supply issue as of national importance. Judge
Clashes between pro-independence protesters, police as three French ministers visit New Caledonia
Militants and protesters clashed with police in downtown Nouméa on Wednesday as New Caledonia plays host to three French government ministers this week. The crowd – an estimated 2,000 according to
Mobil will supply fuel in PNG: Managing director
Fuel supplier Mobil Oil New Guinea Limited is committed to supplying fuel to the country during the current fuel crisis, says ExxonMobil PNG managing director Tera Shandro. “For the past 102 years, an ExxonMobil
Kiribati’s government not responsible for viral post, sorry
It was too good to be true. The government of Kiribati on Wednesday said it was not responsible for a light-hearted social media smackdown that went viral, prompting laughs around the world. Earlier this week,
“Palauans First” Campaign reboots: President Whipps seeks second term
In a rally echoing his “Palauans First” campaign slogan, President Surangel Whipps Jr officially launched his re-election bid on 11 February, becoming the first candidate to declare for the November 2024 general
Japan’s minister chides utility president over radioactive water leak at Fukushima plant
Japan’s industry minister summoned the president of the utility that runs the Fukushima nuclear power plant to his office Wednesday and chided him for a radioactive water leak at the plant earlier this
Who will form the next government is the question on the minds of the people of Tuvalu
As the capital, Funafuti prepares to welcome the last four elected Members of Parliament from the northern islands of Nanumea and Nanumaga, the people of Tuvalu are waiting with anticipation on the formation of the new
Tackling nuclear legacies, 70 years after Bravo
On 1 March 1954, the US government exploded a thermonuclear weapon on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, codenamed Bravo. The test had an explosive yield of nearly 15 megatons, a thousand times more powerful than the
Guam launches $11.4m project to expand broadband in southern villages
The Office of the Governor today announced the launch of a new fibre and 5G installation to expand broadband coverage in Southern Guam. The $11.4 million project awarded to IT&E was authorised by the U.S
Singapore signs air services pact with Samoa
Singapore and Samoa have signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA). The agreement was signed by Chee Hong Tat, Singapore Minister for Transport and Olo Fiti Afoa Vaai, Samoa Minister for Works. The ASA, which amounts to
Cook Islands Parliament approves amendments to Seabed Minerals Act
A Bill seeking to improve the overall seabed minerals regime was passed in Parliament Monday. Prime Minister Mark Brown presented the Seabed Minerals Amendment Bill 2024 for its second and third readings. The
Penina Pasifika women’s rugby team arrives in Australia
The recently formed Penina Pasifika women’s rugby team has touched down in Australia and is gearing up for their inaugural match against the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby Women pre-season tournament. Local
PNG PM Marape describes killings in Enga as act of terrorism
The killing in Enga is an act of domestic terrorism and the National Executive Council (NEC) will meet to decide on what will be done to address the situation, says Prime Minister James Marape. Marape said at a press
At ICJ, lawyer for Palestine rips U.S. and Fiji for defending whatever offenses Israel commits
An attorney representing Palestine at the United Nations’ highest court called out the U.S. on Monday for routinely defending Israel’s violations of international law, including its brutal 57-year occupation
Delay in glitch investigation raises concerns
The Electoral Commission of Fiji (ECF) is concerned over the prolonged delay in investigating the “glitch” that occurred during the vote counting process in the 2022 General Elections. In a statement this week, the
Hawaii poised to slap tourists with $25 climate tax
Lawmakers in Hawaii are poised to approve a US$25 climate tax on tourists who visit the Aloha State in an effort to combat what they claim is an assault on the area’s natural resources. The state, which saw 9.5
People smugglers branded evil, arrivals sent to Nauru
Recent boat arrivals have prompted calls for a rethink of Australia’s immigration measures as the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader trade barbs on border security, A group of 39 people from Pakistan and
Solomon Islands caretaker PM Sogavare says government needs to secure more loans
Solomon Islands needs to secure more loans to fully deliver projects in the National Infrastructure Priority Pipeline 2023 (NIPP 2023), caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stated. In his keynote address at the
