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)
Vanuatu curfew lifted, schools and workplaces to reopen
Vanuatu’s government has decided to lift the 8pm-6am curfew and relax other restrictions which were in place for almost two months, as COVID-19 cases decline on Efate and offshore islands. From Friday, there are
Fiji, PNG writers shortlisted for short story prize
Fijian and Papua New Guinean writers have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Mary Rokodravu, who won the 2015 Pacific prize, has been shortlisted for her work ‘The
Fiji celebrates historic Fijiana Drua win
Loud shouts of cheers and happiness echoed across Fiji’s skies on Saturday as the nation celebrated the Fijiana Drua Super W title win against the NSW Waratahs 32 – 26. Leading the celebration was Fiji’s Prime
Skyrocketing prices hit Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands fuel prices hit the US$7.00 per gallon milestone this past week, adding an exclamation point to the prices for imported goods that have skyrocketed since last year. Food, vehicle fuel, transportation
Tuvalu races against time and tide in “Future Now” project
Real threat from rising sea level has forced Tuvalu to future proof its existence as a nation despite considerable challenges. In what it calls its “worst case scenario” preparation, Tuvalu’s recently unveiled
U.S-Solomon Islands bilateral talks a success
On the China-Solomon Islands Security Cooperation, “We have no say on the SI-China agreement. We respect Solomon Islands sovereign decision. There is no misunderstanding,” stated the White House Official.
Macron wins re-election, but most New Caledonian voters stay home
President Emmanuel Macron has won re-election in the second round of the French Presidential poll, held on Sunday. Macron is the youngest President in French history and the first to win a second term of office in 20
The spiralling debt crisis, and what to do about it
Global debt has reached an unprecedented high, surpassing levels experienced in the infamous 1980s crisis. For debt-burdened countries, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted their repayment capacity due to
FSM President requests economic assistance package
Federated States of Micronesia President, David Panuelo, has concluded in-depth discussions with U.S Special Presidential envoy for Compact negotiations, Joseph Yun and Jake Sullivan, the U.S National Security
Ramos-Horta triumphs Timor-Leste presidential election
Nobel prize winner José Ramos-Horta has scored a landslide victory in the Timor-Leste presidential election, according to preliminary results published by the country’s election secretariat. The 72-year-old
