American Samoa House Health Committee hears of confusion with nurses recruited from Fiji
American Samoa House Health Committee has met and discussed the status of two out of the 21 nurses from Fiji who passed the NCLEX (National Council Licensing Examination) to be certified as registered nurses.
Tuvalu foreign minister Kofe resigns from Cabinet
Tuvalu’s foreign Minister Simon Kofe has announced his resignation from the island nation’s Cabinet on Friday. “Friends, today in Parliament I made a significant announcement. I’ve decided to
Solomon Islands newspaper promised to ‘promote China’ in return for funding: OCCRP
A major newspaper in Solomon Islands received nearly US$140,000 in funding from the Chinese government in return for pledges to “promote the truth about China’s generosity and its true intentions to help develop”
International talks end without go-ahead for deep-sea mining
An international meeting in Jamaica to negotiate rules over deep-sea mining has ended with no green light to start industrial-scale mining and with an 11th-hour agreement to hold formal discussions next year on the
Results: Pacific teams at the Netball World Cup
The Tonga Tala finished strong to edge the Fiji Pearls on the first day of the Netball World Cup opener in Cape Town, South Africa Friday night 56 – 51. It is Tonga’s first Netball World Cup appearance, so
Fiji conquers Samoa in Apia
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians prove to be too strong for the Manu Samoa in front of a packed crowd in Apia, Samoa on Saturday. Fiji won 33 – 19. Fiji imposed their strength and will right from the kick-off to
Netball World Cup: challengers close gap on Australia and New Zealand
With the sporting world’s attention on another major women’s sports event 7,000 miles away in Australia and New Zealand, the Netball World Cup has – until now – been mostly overlooked. So much so, news that
Macron plans a new political statute for New Caledonia
In a major speech in Noumea, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed he would forge ahead to seek changes to the French Constitution in early 2024, to reform voting rights and create a new statute for New Caledonia
Air Niugini’s boeing 767 fleet back in service, domestic flights cancelled
Air Niugini’s wide body Boeing 767 fleet are back in service, says acting chief executive officer Gary Seddon. “I would like to thank our valued customers for their patience and understanding as we worked
Guam census: One in five live below poverty line
About one in five people surveyed in the 2020 Island Area Census of Guam were living below the poverty line, according to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the 145,453 people for whom poverty status
Emmanuel Macron denounces ‘new imperialism’ in Pacific on historic visit to Vanuatu
French president Emmanuel Macron has denounced “new imperialism” in the Pacific during a landmark visit to the region, warning of a threat to the sovereignty of smaller states. “There is in the Indo-Pacific and
PNG MP Lohia Boe Samuel acquitted of murder
Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel has been found not guilty, and acquitted by the Waigani National Court in Papua New Guinea Wednesday. Samuel and his co-accused Fabian Hera, were both charged with willful murder,
US$4m approved for Guam airport projects
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation approved an additional US$4 million in funding requested by Guam for airport projects, the Office of Guam Delegate James Moylan announced Tuesday. The additional
Vanuatu MP says Macron should act on Matthew and Hunter
As Emmanuel Macron prepares to visit Port Vila on Thursday, a leading member of Vanuatu’s Parliament has called on the French President to address the long-running dispute over Matthew and Hunter Islands and the
Uludong denies claims on Palau media deal
The publisher of Palau’s Tia Belau newspaper has vehemently denied that a deal with Chinese investors was an “espionage plan… to take over Palau and the rest of the Pacific.” Responding to an article by the
U.S. proposes military training for young civilians in Pacific island countries
Washington is proposing to provide military training to young civilians in Pacific island countries amid growing geopolitical tension in the region. Developing “young civilian defence leaders” in the Pacific islands
New Solomon Airline airbus arriving on Thursday
Solomon Islands second airbus will touch down at Honiara International Airport on Thursday this week. The country’s national flag carrier, Solomon Airlines, is acquiring the second airbus through an eight-year lease.
Macron begins Melanesia tour in New Caledonia
French President Emmanuel Macron has begun his five-day visit to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, outlining his “economic, environmental and geopolitical program.” Arriving at Tontouta airport in New
Congress prodded to finalise Compact package for freely associated states
Defence officials and territorial delegates have pressed both houses of Congress to tie up the proposed new economic packages under the Compacts of Free Association, noting the freely associated states’ critical role
U.S.-China competition: Blinken heading to NZ, Tonga, Australia
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the Pacific this week – his third foray to the region – to discuss security co-operation with New Zealand and Australia. The State Department said Blinken
Pacific workers in Tasmania, Queensland in limbo as large employer quits PALM scheme
More than 200 Pacific workers have been left in limbo after their employer Linx Employment agreed to end its participation in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme amid worker treatment investigations. The
Nations aim to ink deep sea mining rules by 2025
The International Seabed Authority’s member nations on Friday agreed on a two-year roadmap for the adoption of deep sea mining regulations, despite conservationists’ calls for a moratorium on mineral
Fiji withstand Tongan comeback
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians successfully defend their home ground against a strong Tonga Ikale Tahi team 36-20 in a fully-packed Churchill Park this past weekend. Tonga was coming off an impressive win against
