Pacific universities launch climate change partnership
The Fiji National University (FNU) and Monash University have today officially launched their partnership to establish the Monash-FNU Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC). The CCRC, which
Vanuatu volcano activity sparks warning
Volcanic activity at Vanuatu’s Mount Garet on Gaua Island has increased under Alert Level 2, which is the major level of unrest, reports the Vanuatu Daily Post. Observations confirmed current activity consists of
Fiji court rules U.S can seize Russian superyacht Amadea
Fiji’s high court has ruled that the U.S government can seize the ‘Amadea‘, a superyacht docked at the Fijian port of Lautoka since 13 April. The Amadea is believed to be owned by Suleiman Kerimov, a
PINA Statement to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2022
On 03 May every year, media workers here in the Pacific and across the globecome together to reflect on issues of press freedom and professional ethics.This year, UNESCO set “Journalism Under Siege” as the theme of
Solomons tuna plant to create 5500 jobs
More than 5,500 jobs are set to be created with the construction of a major tuna processing plant in Solomon Islands says the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant, to be built
Samoa international borders to open in August
Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has announced the returning of students to school and resumption of international flights this month, although restricted to Samoan citizens travelling in for various
Former Tonga PM convicted for election bribery
Two Tonga MPs, one a former prime minister and the other a serving cabinet minister, have lost their seats in Parliament. Former PM, Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, and the minister for Internal Affairs, Sangster
Prime ministerial incumbency bias in PNG
Central to the selection of the prime minister in Papua New Guinea following a general election is Section 63 of PNG’s Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC), which was passed in 2001
World Press Freedom Day: Press freedom under digital seige
Journalists the world over face increasing digital surveillance used to hamper press freedom, promote misinformation or discredit their work. Press freedom, already in decline for 85% of the world’s population, is
Cook Islands tourism industry desperate for workers
Although travel restrictions are loosening, Cook Islands tourism operators are struggling to find staff. Pre-departure testing for international arrivals is no longer be required and direct flights from countries other
Australia election: Climate the most important security issue, say military and political leaders
As voters in Australia head to the polls on 21 May, there is increasing debate over the link between climate change and security. Capitalising on the heated debate around the China-Solomon Islands security agreement, a
Pacific Rugby League resumes Test matches
After a long spell away from the international scene, Pacific rugby league teams are set to return this June in what is planned to be a huge comeback for the international game. The confirmation comes after an agreement
Felled by its own Failures – How Australia’s inaction to reform logging in the Solomon Islands has let China in
We have watched these past few weeks as the evolving situation surrounding the Solomon Islands/China security pact has unfolded. It appears that every journalist and political commentator is suddenly an expert in the
Fiji: tourism up, but so is inflation
The Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor says despite uncertain prospects for the global economy, the recovery of Fiji’s tourism industry is providing momentum for domestic economic growth. However he has also flagged that
Two women tortured over sorcery claims in PNG
PNG: Shocking. The young Papua New Guinea cop was lost for words. On his first raid with his unit, the unfolding scene of disgust hit him hard in his guts and reverberated through his body. “This is shocking,” he
Gender-based violence rate ‘shameful’: Dame Meg
Papua New Guinea’s rates of gender-based violence are “shameful”, said former Pacific Islands Forum General-Secretary Dame Meg Taylor at the University of Papua New Guinea’s 67th graduation this
Fijian Drua ready for home game
The Fijian Drua play the Otago Highlanders in a widely anticipated match at the National Stadium in Suva this weekend. Coach Mick Byrne talks about the team’s preparation and future plans. “One of the key
FSM files continental shelf claim
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has filed with the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf a claim of an extended continental shelf covering a high-sea area of approximately 188,000
PNG election to be delayed by two weeks
The announcement by Papua New Guinea Electoral Commissioner, Simon Sinai, to delay PNG’s election by two weeks has met with concern. Sinai has confirmed Thursday 12 May, 2022 as the date for the issue of writs and
BSP pays K190million extra tax
The Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP) has declared a substantially lower net profit of K69 million (US$19 million) from K259 million (US$73 million) due to a controversial levy imposed by the Government.
Tuvalu confident of Commonwealth nomination
Tuvalu is confident in the prospects of its former Governor General Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli being named the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. Sir Iakoba is Tuvalu’s nominee to head the eminent body, whose members
PNG to seek damages on UBS loan deal
PORT MORESBY — An investigation will be conducted into the “main players” in the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) K3 billion (US$1.3 billion) loan deal, says Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. He said
Qantas and Travel Air to resume service in PNG
PORT MORESBY — Qantas has put Papua New Guinea (PNG) back on its international route, with services between Brisbane and Port Moresby restarting on Friday after more than two years due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)