Solomon Islands urged to control 2023 Pacific Games spending
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the Solomon Islands to ensure spending on this year’s Pacific Games and the delayed general election are “well controlled to minimise the crowding out of other
Tributes and tears for Professor Brij Lal
It was closure for Professor Brij Lal’s family, as they said their last farewell and finally fulfilled the historian’s dying wish to be laid to rest at his home in Tabia village in northern Fiji on Saturday.
Kiribati returns to Forum, Nauru’s Waqa next Secretary General
Pacific leaders prayed together, ate together and by the end of a long retreat today, saw Kiribati’s full return to the Pacific Islands Forum and a much larger role for its Micronesian members. Former Nauru President
Alleged prisons brutality condemned
Two of Fiji’s government ministers have condemned the alleged assault of a man at the Suva Remand Centre, who was hospitalised with severe injuries. Speaking at the Blackrock Camp, Home Affairs Minister, Pio
Guam, Saipan anticipate surge in travel demand from Japan
Slowing reemerging from their Covid-triggered hiatus, Japanese travelers are getting ready to board the plane again, with Guam and Saipan on top of their destination list this summer. The promising summer travel demand
Seven reasons to get excited about HSBC Los Angeles Sevens
The men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 will reach its halfway point during the HSBC Los Angeles Sevens this weekend. Following five of 11 tournaments, New Zealand lead the standings on 85 points, nine points
Pacific workers well cared for but worried about work
Seasonal workers from the Pacific are bunking in emergency shelters after Cyclone Gabrielle tore through New Zealand’s North Island as they wait to hear if there’s still work available for them. Alusio
PNG Police to ensure safe release of hostages
Papua New Guinea security personnel are authorised to use the full force of the law to secure the people being held in Bosavi, Nipa-Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province, by an armed criminal gang since Sunday, February
Oceania bishops’ assembly spotlights climate crisis
When dozens of Catholic bishops from Oceania gathered in Suva, Fiji, earlier this month, plans to hold a prayer service next to the ocean were derailed by stormy weather, offering a natural illustration of how the very
Ship insurers accused of enabling fishing vessels to ‘go dark’
When it comes to illegal fishing, London’s ancient business of ship insurance may not get much attention. But according to a new complaint, the UK capital’s insurance industry is partly to blame when fishing vessels
Guam, CNMI residents advised to stay vigilant on missile tests
While giving reassurance that North Korea’s latest round of ballistic missile tests posed no immediate threat to Guam and the Northern Marianas, federal and local homeland security officials advised local residents to
Australia scales up security cooperation with Kiribati
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong has announced Australia will rapidly scale up security and development cooperation with the sprawling Pacific Island nation of Kiribati as the federal government tries to ensure
PNG fuel crisis ‘restored temporarily’
The fuel crisis in Papua New Guinea has been restored temporarily after acting Prime Minister John Rosso successfully mediated in a meeting Monday between the Bank of PNG and Puma Energy. Rosso said that the Central
Japan insists release of Fukushima ‘treated’ water is safe
Almost 12 years have passed since the strongest earthquake in Japan’s recorded history resulted in a tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people along its north-east coast. As the country prepares to mark the March 11
Ownership of Vailima back in local hands
Samoa Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa has applauded the patriotic initiative to return the Vailima beer brand to Samoa owned and managed by Samoans without any strings attached. Acknowledging the agreement
Tuna cannery still in the pipeline in Vanuatu
The outgoing Director General (DG) of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB), Moses Amos, has confirmed that the management of Sino-Van plans to set up a small
Pacific workers housed at church soon to have accommodation
More than 400 workers from the Pacific evacuated to a Napier church should be able to return to more permanent accommodation in the next few days. Workers from Samoa, Fiji, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands had stayed at The
PNG Government seeks solutions to fuel crisis
Papua New Guinea acting Prime Minister John Rosso has assured Papua New Guineans, residents and businesses that a short term arrangement has been reached between Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) and PUMA to continue
Fijian Drua confirm signing of Eroni Sau
The Fijian Drua have confirmed the signing of cult hero and damaging winger Eroni Sau. He returns to the Drua after playing a key role in their NRC title campaign in 2018. The 33-year-old will join the Drua this week
PNG Chamber concerned about foreign exchange saga
Papua New Guinea’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry is concerned about the ongoing foreign currency constraint saga. Chamber president Ian Tarutia said a consistent supply of fuel and associated products were
Fiji joins Cyclone Gabrielle recovery efforts
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said New Zealand has accepted international help from multiple countries to support its cyclone recovery efforts, announcing that Fiji will be lending a hand in the coming days.
New Zealand Deputy PM to join Pacific leaders’ special retreat
New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs Carmel Sepuloni will travel to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders’ retreat this week. It will be her first opportunity in
Australian government publicise problems with Pacific patrol boats
The Australian government decided to publicly release information about problems with Pacific patrol boats despite a warning from defence officials that this could harm important regional relationships. In previously
