FSM official proposes a supervisory college for island institutions
The banking commissioner of the Federated States of Micronesia wants to open a “bank for banks,” but while it will focus on money, it won’t store a cent. Instead, it will store a wealth of information that
Papuan rebels holding NZ pilot prepared to drop key demand
Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region who are holding a New Zealand pilot hostage are prepared to drop a demand that Jakarta recognise the independence of the area before they could consider freeing him, a
Tougher anti-human trafficking bill passed in Palau
Palau’s House of Delegates passed on its third and final reading a Senate bill 11-73 to expand, update and strengthen the anti-human smuggling and human trafficking act. The bill amends the current law ‘to bring
U.S. military providing cushion to Palau’s tourism
With efforts underway to boost its tourism-dependent market, Palau’s economy is seeing a glimmer of hope after emerging from more than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, Palau visitor arrivals more than
Solomon Airlines assists cyclone recovery, Fiji Airways’ advanced aircraft
Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer Gus Kraus has confirmed the national carrier has sent a De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft and operating crew, to assist Vanuatu’s recovery efforts following the devastation
Palau calls for halt on seabed mining until 2030
Palau President Surangel Whipps Junior said he wanted the seabed mining practice temporarily suspended until at least 2030. “The ocean for us is life. We depend on it for sustenance, we depend on it for our economy
Opinion: China-here, there and everywhere
The end of the compact negotiations between Ambassador Joseph Yun and the freely associated states is only 50% of the struggle to completion. The remainder is in the U.S Congress and dealing with the proposed
Low supply, food aid delays in Vanuatu
The low supply of certain dry ration items from suppliers in the country is still hampering food distribution to Vanuatu cyclone-affected households. The Food Security and Agriculture Cluster (FSAC) is distributing
Outgoing FSM president urged to reconsider diplomatic shift to Taiwan
Seeking to retain the status quo on the Federated States Micronesia’s (FSM) diplomatic relations with China, the FSM Congress weighed in on a resolution urging outgoing President David Panuelo to suspend his plan to
PINA challenges Pacific countries to follow Fiji’s lead and repeal media legislation
The repeal of Fiji’s draconian media law, known as the Media Industry Development Authority (MIDA) Act 2010, should act as a signpost for other Pacific countries who have regulated their media through legislation.
‘People are suffering’: Kiribati’s judicial crisis
The opposition in Kiribati wants answers from the government about the ongoing crisis in the country’s judiciary. The government last year dismissed the chief justice and three Court of Appeal judges – all
Solomon Islands: Suidani disqualified for not recognising One China policy
Solomon Islands Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening Rollen Seleso has disqualified former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani from the Malaita Provincial Assembly in accordance with section
Observer Group releases final report on Fiji’s 2022 General Election
The final report from the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) for the 2022 Fiji General Election has made 20 recommendations to the Government of Fiji on how to further improve the country’s electoral system, policies
2023 Pacific Games countdown
The Pacific Games is being held in Solomon Islands for the first time ever this year, and will welcome a new wave of talented athletes, and the return of Pacific veterans. In weightlifting, champions Dika Toua, Morea
Blockchain technology a game changer for Vanuatu, report shows
A recently released report by Pacific Advisory, funded by Oxfam International and Australian Aid, has identified blockchain technology as a game-changer for Vanuatu. The report provides a path forward to achieve the
New images from inside Fukushima reactor spark safety worry
Images captured by a robotic probe inside one of the three melted reactors at Japan’s wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant showed exposed steel bars in the main supporting structure and parts of its thick
USA disagrees with Vanuatu-led climate resolution
The United States one of the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has disagreed with the Vanuatu-led resolution of seeking an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the states’
Vanuatu ‘still struggling’ with cyclone aftermath
Save the Children says about half of Vanuatu’s population is still struggling to access safe drinking water and nutritious food in the wake of the Category Four cyclones Judy and Kevin, which hit the island nation in
FLNKS joins bilateral talks in Paris
A delegation from the Kanak independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) travels to Paris this week, for discussions with the French government on New Caledonia’s political status.
BPNG to discontinue private sector cheques in December
The Bank of PNG will discontinue the use of private sector cheques by 31 December 2023. The National Payments Council (NPC), chaired by the acting Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), has announced that
Eight jailed for cocaine washed up on Tongan beach
Eight Tongans in Vava’u were sentenced to between three years to 13.5 years’ imprisonment for their opportunistic roles in handling blocks of cocaine from a large shipment, found washed up on ‘Otualea Beach
Four dead, 17 injured in PNG earthquake
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake which hit East Sepik’s Chambri Lakes at around 4am Monday reportedly killed four people, injured 17 and destroyed more than 300 homes, according to Papua New Guinea police. Provincial police
Cop28 host UAE tried to weaken global shipping climate ambition
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) tried to weaken global shipping’s climate target last week, sparking fears that it will lack ambition as host of the Cop28 climate summit. According to four sources in the room, the UAE
