PNG Ombudsman Commission receives complaints on MP Tkatchenko
The Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Commission says it has received an “avalanche of complaints” from people against Moresby South MP and sidelined Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko for the “primitive animals”
Samoa sends first team of UN Peacekeepers since COVID lockdown
A 10 member team of Samoan police officers leaves today for training in Jakarta, Indonesia before deployment under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. It is the first team sent for peace keeping duties since the
Six Pacific countries at high risk of debt distress: World Bank
Six Pacific countries are at a high risk of debt distress in part due to government spending to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Bank said in a report on Thursday. The report, titled Raising Pasifika, said
Olam is Tourism PNG Ambassador
Papua New Guinea rugby league icon and Australian NRL Melbourne Storms star centre Justin Olam is officially the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’ s tourism brand Ambassador. The formal announcement was made in the
Canada, Kenya, Uruguay and Tonga ready for “do-or-die” Series Play-off
Of the 16 teams set to compete at the HSBC London Sevens this weekend, four know this could be their last experience of life at the top table for at least 12 months. Following 10 intense tournaments, Canada, Kenya and
Four women feature in new French Polynesian government
French Polynesia’s newly-elected president Moetai Brotherson has presented a 10-member government, which includes four women. Brotherson has confirmed his pre-election choice of Eliane Tevahitua as vice-president
Tongan Foreign Minister ‘Utoikamanu accepts Chair of the ESCAP 79th Session
Tongan Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu is the new chair of the ESCAP 79th Session underway in Bangkok, Thailand this week. In her acceptance speech, ‘Utoikamanu said the deliberations of the
Tonga Government settles legal dispute with broadband company
A confidential settlement agreement has been reached between the Government of Tonga and Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific), who have agreed to end litigation over a multi-million contract dispute. Tonga
Vanuatu PM confident of defeating no confidence motion
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau has expressed his confidence in defeating the motion of no confidence against him, scheduled for Friday, 19 May 2023. In an interview with the Vanuatu Daily Post Tuesday, PM
U.S. president Biden scraps planned visit to Australia, PNG to focus on debt limit talks
U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he’s curtailing his upcoming trip to the Indo-Pacific, scrapping what was to be a historic stop in Papua New Guinea as well as a visit to Australia for a gathering with fellow
India snubs French territories for regional summit
The third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) will be held in Papua New Guinea on 22 May – but the full membership of the Pacific Islands Forum has not been invited. New Caledonia and French Polynesia
Call for Pacific Energy Commissioner
The 5th Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers meeting has recommended the establishment of a Pacific Energy Commissioner for a Just and Equitable Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific. Chairperson of the
Recycle metals instead of seabed mining, says PNG anti-mining activist
An anti-mining group in Papua New Guinea is calling on its government to explore opportunities in precious metals recycling instead of courting armageddon by allowing seabed mining to happen. “We are calling for a
Pacific leaders’ role critical for a more resilient tourism sector
Pacific tourism leaders have a critical role to play for a more resilient future Pacific tourism sector. Tourism in the Pacific is about relationship building, economic development, growth, and connectivity. These
Refine gold here: PNG PM Marape
All gold produced in the country must be sold to the Bank of Papua New Guinea to be refined into bullion, says Prime Minister James Marape. The National reports that he made this comment during the launching of the PNG
U.S. and Micronesia agree to renew strategic pact, U.S. envoy says
The U.S. and the Federated States of Micronesia have agreed to renew a key strategic pact, U.S. presidential envoy Joseph Yun said, adding he hopes for similar progress with Palau, as the U.S. shores up support among
Micronesia’s new president takes over from Taiwan-leaning predecessor
The Pacific island nation of Micronesia picked Wesley W. Simina as its new president Thursday in a changing of the guard from a predecessor who had warmed up to Taiwan. Nikkei reports that the nation’s congress
Solomon Islands PM lost key political fixer
The Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister’s nephew and political fixer has died, in a development that could destabilise the Pacific’s most pro-China government. Indepth Solomons reports that Prime Minister Manasseh
Solomon Islands leads the Pacific on SOE profitability: ADB report
Solomon Islands’ robust legal framework for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has contributed to the financial success of its largest SOEs and generated the highest portfolio returns among nine Pacific island countries,
Naivilaca Peace Village cements its place in history
Yesterday marked a special day for the descendants of the Girmityas in Fiji as they commemorated not only the shared pain of their history, but also the deep friendship that they share with indigenous Fijians. In a
Wesley Simina sworn in as new FSM president
Former Speaker Wesley W. Simina on Thursday took his oath as the 10th president of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), succeeding David Panuelo whose term officially expired on the same day. Pacific Island Times
Six political parties suspended in Solomon Islands
Six political parties in Solomon Islands have been suspended last month over their failure to comply with requirements of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014, reports Indepth Solomons. That’s according to Acting
Professor Aqorau inspired by the level of support for SINU
Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor’s Professor Transform Aqorau is pleased with the level of ongoing support for the University. He made the statement when making his first speech as the new
