Biden backs plan to restore benefits for COFA migrants
U.S. President Joe Biden has endorsed legislation sponsored by Hawaii’s congressional delegation to restore access to federal benefits for tens of thousands of Micronesian migrants living in the U.S. legally under the
China practices attacking Taiwan and Pacific, a worrying development
China’s newest aircraft carrier has for the first time practiced attacking Taiwan from the island’s east coast, demonstrating Beijing’s growing determination to project power beyond the Taiwan Strait and far into
Tongan court rules law does not apply to a noble
Tonga’s Appeal Court has upheld a decision saying a law did not apply to a nobleman. A member of Parliament, a nobles’ representative, was elected in 2021 despite the fact he had a court debt. It is
Palau to establish digital residency programme physical office
Palau’s Ministry of Finance has announced its latest regulation pertaining to the digital residency programme. In a letter to President Surangel Whipps Jr, The Ministry of Finance said the new regulation
PNG National Rugby League Competition rolls out five-year plan
The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) will introduce national competitions for women and Under-19s starting 2025 as part of its five-year strategic plan (2023-2027). The plan, headed by PNG
England No. 8 Nathan Hughes sets sights on Fiji spot
Former England backrower Nathan Hughes may turn his career arc into a full circle if he is chosen to play for Fiji at this year’s Rugby World Cup. Hughes was born in Fiji, moved to New Zealand on a high school
ADB: 6.3% economic growth projected for Fiji
Growth in the South Pacific economy of Fiji is projected to reach 6.3% in 2023 and moderate to 3% in 2024, according to a new economic report released today by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Asian Development
Consultations on constitution begin outside Bougainville
The Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission (BCPC) has begun consultations with Bougainvilleans outside Bougainville. The consultation is to gauge views and contribution of Bougainvilleans to draft an
IMF lowers global economic growth outlook as ‘fog thickens’
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast in their latest World Economic Outlook published on Tuesday, that global growth will bottom out at 2.8 percent this year before rising modestly to around three percent in
OEK joint to loan US$20 million approved in Palau
Palau Senate passed a joint resolution authorising President Whipps to execute a loan agreement between the Republic of Palau and Mega International Commercial Bank Co. Ltd. of Taiwan of up to US$20 million to fund
Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kabua to meet President Tsai this week
Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kitlang Kabua is slated to visit Taiwan on Wednesday for a week-long trip. Her delegation consists of government officials including Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Anjanette
PNG quake kills eight, injures 17 and damages 800 homes
At least eight people are dead, 17 recovering in hospital with injuries and 800 houses destroyed in Papua New Guinea by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake which hit East Sepik a week ago, according to Governor Allan Bird. It
Samoa ready for Moana Pasifika’s first home Super Rugby game
Samoa will turn on the fireworks when they welcome Moana Pasifika ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Reds in Apia on Friday. A welcome parade is taking place today and will follow the Police Marching
Over 11,000 travellers visited Samoa in February
A total of 11,411 travellers visited Samoa in February of this year, which according to the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) is a decrease of 34.4 percent over the previous month of January, 2023. However, the latest
Guam now has 4,000 H-2B workers
Guam welcomed the 4,000th H-2B worker approved to work on island, representing a record-setting number of foreign workers since the hotel construction boom in 1995. Originally from Quezon City, Philippines, Ronel
BSP customers in PNG told to repay money after ‘glitch’
A “technical issue” has allowed some customers with Papua New Guinea’s largest bank to overdraw money from their accounts, while others have watched their bank balances drop. In a statement posted to Facebook,
FSM official proposes a supervisory college for island institutions
The banking commissioner of the Federated States of Micronesia wants to open a “bank for banks,” but while it will focus on money, it won’t store a cent. Instead, it will store a wealth of information that
Papuan rebels holding NZ pilot prepared to drop key demand
Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region who are holding a New Zealand pilot hostage are prepared to drop a demand that Jakarta recognise the independence of the area before they could consider freeing him, a
Tougher anti-human trafficking bill passed in Palau
Palau’s House of Delegates passed on its third and final reading a Senate bill 11-73 to expand, update and strengthen the anti-human smuggling and human trafficking act. The bill amends the current law ‘to bring
U.S. military providing cushion to Palau’s tourism
With efforts underway to boost its tourism-dependent market, Palau’s economy is seeing a glimmer of hope after emerging from more than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, Palau visitor arrivals more than
Solomon Airlines assists cyclone recovery, Fiji Airways’ advanced aircraft
Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer Gus Kraus has confirmed the national carrier has sent a De Havilland Twin Otter aircraft and operating crew, to assist Vanuatu’s recovery efforts following the devastation
Palau calls for halt on seabed mining until 2030
Palau President Surangel Whipps Junior said he wanted the seabed mining practice temporarily suspended until at least 2030. “The ocean for us is life. We depend on it for sustenance, we depend on it for our economy
Opinion: China-here, there and everywhere
The end of the compact negotiations between Ambassador Joseph Yun and the freely associated states is only 50% of the struggle to completion. The remainder is in the U.S Congress and dealing with the proposed
