Kiribati: First commercial flight since border lockdown
Kiribati was in celebration mode last Thursday as the island gathered at Bonriki International Airport to welcome the country’s first commercial flight, two and a half years since the island nation’s COVID-19
Construction begins at Fukushima plant for water release
The construction of facilities for the planned release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea next year from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant began last week, despite opposition from the local fishing
Historic gold win for Cikamatana
Pacific champion weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana has won another gold medal for Australia in the 87kg women’s category in Birmingham 2022. Cikamatana was able to set a new games record for her category in the snatch,
Nauru Police embarks on UN Mission in South Sudan
The first Nauru police to take part in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan departed last month (July 17), the Nauru Government says. Superintendent Imran Scotty, Sergeant Drusky Dabadauw and Senior
Australian pilot pleads guilty in PNG drug bust
Australian pilot David John Cutmore has pleaded guilty to transporting Papua New Guinea’s largest haul of cocaine two years ago. Cutmore took his plea in the PNG National Court at Waigani after Judge Teresa
Air Vanuatu to resolve schedule within two months
With its plans to recruit more ni-Vanuatu pilots, the national flag carrier’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Atu Finau, says the current situation of amended schedules on reduced flights is expected to be resolved
Niue: ‘Dramatic rise’ in COVID community cases
Community cases of COVID-19 in Niue have jumped from four to 21 since the first cases were reported last Thursday. Auckland University Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences associate dean Pacific Sir Colin
PNG election: Pangu leads, PNC jolted
The ruling Pangu Pati and its coalition parties have 46 elected MPs in camp and are confident of forming the next PNG government, says party leader and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. In a joint
Commonwealth Games Update
After a few days of Commonwealth Games competition, let’s check-in with our Pacific athletes and see how they have fared so far in Birmingham. Fiji 7s settles for Silver again Rugby 7s was one of the most anticipated
Niue records first COVID community cases
COVID-19 has arrived in the community in Niue. The government says four people, all from the same household, are being recorded as the first community cases. In the past 24 hours, Niue health authorities report
After 865 days, Samoa reopens to tourists
Samoa reopens to international tourists again, 865 days after closing borders due to COVID-19. Tuitaga Nathan Bucknall, manager of the Taumeasina Island Resort near Apia, said it’s been a long time
PNG Election: Major defeats, MPs hold office till Aug 5
Papua New Guinea will no longer be the same as the defeats of experienced and long serving MPs, Patrick Pruaitch, Davis Steven, John Simon and Dr Allan Marat have completely changed the landscape of PNG politics, Post
Remembering Dr Majorie Crocombe: Puna
Across the Pacific, from the smallest atolls to the busiest cities, from the sleepy silences to the never-ending online chat streams, wherever there is an educated or Pacific-facing leader, thinker or creative, there is
‘It’s good to be back’ – Tonga border reopens
With hugs and tears, families were reunited at Tonga’s Fua’amotu International Airport, after arriving on an Air New Zealand, the first flight as Tonga re-opened its international border on Monday. Most of
No Fiji-China security pact, Rabuka says
People’s Alliance leader hoping to return as Fiji’s prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has ruled out a security pact with China if he wins government, saying it was time his country returned to its “comfortable
U.S. Senate Bill to establish embassies in the Pacific
A bipartisan group of senators will introduce legislation to establish three new embassies in the Pacific Islands region to strengthen America’s relationships there and counter China’s growing influence. The
Fiji software firm earns US$50k for fintech devt
Fiji software services provider IT Galax was one of five winning fintech companies in a competition to improve fintech infrastructure in the Pacific Islands, in Singapore last week. The Pacific Islands Fintech
Marianas octopus lures, oldest in the Pacific, study shows
An archaeological study has determined that cowrie-shell artifacts found throughout the Mariana Islands were lures used for hunting octopuses and that the devices, similar versions of which have been found on islands
Poll finds Brown as Cook Islands ‘preferred PM’
A poll conducted by Cook Islands News has revealed a divided electorate in the lead-up to today’s election, however a large percentage prefer Prime Minister Mark Brown to lead the country. According to the
PNG football plea for peace back home
In light of the recent political upheaval in Papua New Guinea, PNG Football Association president and OFC vice president John Kapi Natto has conveyed sympathy to those who lost loved ones in the election related
IFC to provide 3000 homes in Fiji
A housing project in Fiji is in progress to provide affordable, climate-resilient homes for 3,000 low and middle-income families says the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The IFC is the lead transaction advisor
Blame PNG Election Commission for chaos
Re-elected Papua New Guinea MP Tim Masiu says much of the blame for the country’s election fiasco can be directed at the Electoral Commission. The Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae has accepted a recommendation from
Commonwealth Games Update
As the Commonwealth Games begin, teams from the Pacific Islands are settling into their accommodation in the Birmingham 2022 Games village and are preparing to compete for the next 12 days. It’s a very long way from
