No need for Fiji media bill, public consultation told
“We don’t see the need for this bill” was the message of Fiji media veteran, William Parkinson at public submissions on the Media Industry Development Act (MIDA) yesterday. Parkinson, was speaking to a submission
Palau Shipping Registry claims ITF report ‘misleading’
The statistical evidence presented by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) on Palau-flagged vessels is “wholly inaccurate, misinterpreted and clearly misleading”. This was the statement made
Guam racing against time to use federal funds that will expire next year
The clock is ticking on the Guam Department of Education to expend a federal grant that will expire in September next year, but the local government has yet to begin the procurement process for the projects for which
PNG Government to pursue Solwara 1 talks
Papua New Guinea Mining Minister Sir Ano Pala says the Government expects to pursue discussions with a deep sea mining company to revisit the potential for extracting minerals in the Bismark Sea off the west coast of
China vows Pacific Games projects will be ready in August
China’s Ambassador to the Solomon Islands Li Ming has insisted infrastructure projects for this year’s Pacific Games in the capital Honiara will be completed in August. Approximately SBD$1.85 billion (£184
‘Health crisis’ amongst children from Nauru offshore camp
Nearly nine in 10 children brought from offshore processing on Nauru to Australia were suffering physical health conditions, including malnutrition and dental disease, while almost 80 percent reported one or more mental
Five charged over PNG meth flight
Five alleged criminal syndicate members accused of orchestrating a black flight from Papua New Guinea to Australia with 52kg of methamphetamine on board have been charged under an AFP-led investigation. Four of the five
PNG’s Investment Promotion Authority to deregister firms
Papua New Guinea Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) expects the number of companies listed in its system to drop, due to its cleansing exercise, an official says. Managing director Clarence Hoot said those companies
K20million less in PNG Superannuation Fund dividends
Papua New Guinea National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund)’s dividend payout for this year is likely to be more than K20 million (US$5.6 million) lower, acting chief executive officer Rajeev Sharma says. “Our 2023
Fraudulent cases against PNG MPs gathering dust
Three men sat there, few computers, a single printer sitting idle at the entrance, no telephones, papers piled up, and folders everywhere one would guess none have been reopened or attempted to be read fraudulent case
Boxing greats to face off in PNG
A potential box-off between two former boxing greats in Papua New Guinea is being touted as a ‘Las Vegas night‘ in the Pacific, but some are already deriding the event before the two men have even signed the
China firm wins Solomon Islands port project
The Solomon Islands has awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to a Chinese state company to upgrade an international port in Honiara in a project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), an official of the island
Kilner appointed new FASANOC CEO
The Fiji Association of Sports And National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) has appointed Vanessa Kilner as its new Chief Executive Officer. Kilner who replaces Lorraine Mar takes up the position from her previous role as
U.S. envoy slams disinformation over Solomons ‘plot’
A White House envoy on Tuesday decried “disinformation and smears” about the United States’ motives in the Solomon Islands, after his meeting with the country’s pro-China leader was overshadowed by
Tonga heads to PacificAus Netball Series in April
Tala, Tonga’s National Netball Team will head into the 2023 PacificAus Sports Netball Series in Gold Coast, Australia from 24-29 April, as reigning champions. In 2022, the national netball team finished both the
Immigration detention in Nauru is harmful for children, study shows
A sample of asylum seeking children and young people (CYP) held on Nauru were found to have high rates of physical and mental health problems around the time of transfer from Nauru, according to new research. The study
Vessels registered to the Cook Islands, Palau targeted in shipping crackdown
Up to 1,000 ships flagged to the Cook Islands, Palau, Sierra Leone, and Togo will be targeted for safety, maintenance and seafarer welfare inspections across the Mediterranean Sea in the coming eight weeks by an army of
Air Vanuatu’s new fleet of eight airplanes
Air Vanuatu’s new fleet will consist of two Boeing aircraft, two additional ATR aircraft, and four Twin Otter planes, to service the country both internationally and domestically. Prime Minister Ishmael
Virgin Australia makes its long-awaited return to Samoa
Samoa’s harbourside capital of Apia is once again on the departures board for Virgin Australia, as the airline’s twice-weekly flight from Sydney returns to the sky from today, with Brisbane primed to restart on
Solomons to send 80 athletes to China for Pacific Games training
Dozens of athletes from the Solomon Islands will train in China for three months to sharpen their competitiveness for the Pacific Games in November, underlining the intention of both countries to make the sporting event
PNG Lewas crowned Pacific cricket champions
The PNG Lewas Women’s team have been crowned champions of the inaugural Pacific Islands Cricket Challenge 2023. PNG beat Vanuatu by 100 runs to 32 in the grand final in Suva Fiji, co-hosted by Cricket Fiji and the
Panuelo gears up for leadership transfer, candidates for FSM president named
After losing his bid for another term, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) President David Panuelo has begun preparing for the leadership turnover to his successor, who will be elected by the 23rd FSM Congress on May
UN climate report an emergency siren: Greenpeace Pacific
The final report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s Sixth Assessment Cycle is the final-hour warning before the clock runs out on 1.5°C, and we must pull every lever to achieve
