Palau President Whipps supports Japan’s plan to release treated wastewater into Pacific Ocean
Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr is the first Pacific Island country leader to publicly express support for Japan’s plan to release treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific. After meeting with Japan’s
France not seeking to ‘fuel competition’ in region
France’s Ambassador for the Indo-Pacific says the Indo-Pacific Strategy should not fuel further strategic competition in the region. During a recent visit to Fiji, Ambassador Marc Abensour said while there is great
PNG cannery closes, 5000 out of work
Majestic Seafood, makers of canned tuna products in Lae, Papua New Guinea has shut down operations as a result of a shortfall in fish supply. Over 5,000 staff of the company are now redundant. Emmanuel Pari, speaking on
Opinion: Australia should support minimum terms and conditions for Pacific seabed mining
The extraction of deep seabed mining resources on an industrial scale at incredible depths is a new frontier with many unknowns. But the potential gains are immense. Deep sea deposits contain manganese, cobalt, nickel,
PNG Marape details Defence pact with U.S.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape defended in Parliament last week that the PNG and the U.S. Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) will help develop and maintain several agreed facilities in Port Moresby, Lae
PNG’s Sir Kostas Constantinou passes away
A prominent leader in Papua New Guinea, Sir Kostas Constantinou, passed away in Brisbane on Saturday, after battling heart complications, according to the family. Sir Kostas, 66, is a father of Constantia, George,
‘Proposed Samoa National Provident Fund changes to do more harm’: economist
Former Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) auditor and senior manager, Peniamina Muliaina has urged the SNPF Chair and Board to reconsider proposed changes to the fund’s small loans and short-term loans policy.
Palau’s 2nd Submarine Cable to activate in 2025
The 2nd Submarine Cable connecting Palau to the rest of the world is now projected to be ready for service by the first quarter of 2025, according to Robin Russell, CEO of Belau Submarine Cable Corporation. The
‘Nuclear not allowed’: PNG’s Marape backtracks on comments
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape has backtracked on his position regarding Japan’s proposed dumping of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Marape indicated support for the
New Zealand Rugby League working on unique World Cup bid that includes Pacific Islands
New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is in talks with the Government on a bid for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, which will include co-hosting with Pacific Island nations, but not Australia. It would be a fully inclusive
Coach says Tonga have ‘massive X-factor’ for Rugby World Cup
Three former Wallabies and five All Blacks make Tonga’s squad its best ever and will give the Pacific nation a “massive X-factor” at the Rugby World Cup, coach Toutai Kefu has said. Kefu has made the most of
Palau names 63 undersea mounts, extending its undersea claim
Palau has named 63 undersea mounts and basins on the Palau-Kyushu Ridge, the singular underwater ridge that connects Palau to Japan. These 63 mounts occur outside Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone, north of Palau’s
Hundreds of World Bank climate projects have no direct connection to climate, research finds
Several hundred World Bank-backed projects with the stated aim of tackling climate change have no obvious connection to climate mitigation, a U.S. report finds, questioning its spending figures over two decades.
U.S. military granted unimpeded access to key PNG defence facilities in new security agreement
The United States military has been given “unimpeded access” to key PNG defence facilities, including the joint PNG-Australia Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, as part of a sweeping Defence Cooperation
Starlink registers trademark in Vanuatu
The Vanuatu Intellectual Property Office (VanIPO) has confirmed that Starlink have registered its trademark in Vanuatu and are in the process to obtain its broadcasting licence. Starlink will be now in contact with the
28 Indonesians caught illegally fishing in PNG waters
About 28 fishermen from Indonesia who were caught illegally fishing in PNG waters would be handed over to Immigration officers and would be detained at the Bomana Immigration Centre (BIC) awaiting full investigation and
SINU suspends five staff members amid allegations of fraud
Vice Chancellor of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Professor Transform Aqorau, has taken decisive action in response to allegations of fraud activities involving printing by Wakaman Inc. He suspended
Bonn climate talks at risk of collapse, after seven-day agenda debate
Seven days into climate talks in the German city of Bonn, governments have not been able to agree on an agenda, sparking fears of two wasted weeks of talks while the climate crisis worsens. Talks on issues like reducing
Bougainville results to be tabled in PNG parliament this year
Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba says the referendum results will be tabled in Parliament before the end of the year. “In accordance with section 342 of the Constitution, the minister responsible for
Cook Islands look to deepen NZ relationship, secure IMF and full Commonwealth membership
Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has spoken of the need for the Cook Islands’ voice to be heard at the highest levels of inter-government global gatherings, and to be able to participate autonomously in
Palau president visits Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has called on Japan to raise the transparency of the decommissioning process at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Whipps made the statement on Tuesday in a meeting
Vanuatu’s Santo Island to be replaced by “Venia” in restoration of original Island names
The Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs and the Tavuemasana Council of Chiefs of Santo are urging the people of Vanuatu to replace the name “Santo Island” with its original name, “Venia.” This revival of the original
US$23 million to strengthen Tuvalu’s aviation sector
Tuvalu will soon receive US$23 million in grant financing to enhance its aviation sector, the World Bank has announced. Through its Tuvalu Safe and Resilient Aviation Project, the Bank says it aims to improve the
