Staying afloat: ensuring public debt sustainability in the Pacific islands
[UNESCAP] The risk of public debt distress is considerably high in almost all Pacific small island developing States (PSIDS). The debt levels in most PSIDS were on a rising trajectory since early 2010s and are projected
PNG K3billion UBS loan report released
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says those implicated in the controversial K3 billion UBS loan will be criminally
PNG’s Wafi-Golpu project talks stall
PNG's Wafi-Golpu project has been stalled over the remaining major issue of the mine waste disposal
Category 2 cyclone approaching New Caledonia
Fiji’s Meteorological Service says tropical cyclone Fili is expected to gradually weaken in strength today. In its 7.23pm bulletin last night, the Service said the cyclone was moving southeast at about 14 knots
Samoa prisoners COVID-positive
Nine prisoners and 22 guards in Samoa tested positive for COVID-19 and have been placed in isolation to avoid its
Rethinking Solomon Islands security
It has been an interesting couple of weeks for Solomon Islands, with stories of policing, weapons, replica weapons and a security agreement with China dominating the local and regional media. Let’s start with the
Digicel considering legal options after Papua New Guinea tax
Digicel is considering an appeal against a “sudden, bizarre and unprecedented” new tax announced by the Papua New Guinea
UN climate report: It’s ‘now or never’ to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees
A new flagship UN report on climate change out Monday indicating that harmful carbon emissions from 2010-2019 have never been higher in human history, is proof that the world is on a “fast track” to disaster,
Australia is Preferred Candidate for Rugby World Cup 2029
World Rugby has announced Australia as preferred candidate to host the Rugby World Cup
Tries for Tonga fundraiser reaches $100,000
The Tries for Tonga fundraiser total to $100,000(US$69,543) with Highlanders player Andrew Makalio scoring the 200th try of the
Palau digital residency programme off to a slow start
The response to Palau’s digital residency programme has been much slower than expected. So far, 800 people have signed up since the programme went online in January. Although well below the target, that number is
Mass resignation in Yap state hospital
The mass resignation of 40 doctors and nurses at Yap State Hospital, has prompted Yap State Governor Jesse Salalu to declare a state of emergency. “There is no sufficient pool of qualified nurses and doctors available
Fijiana Drua reigns, Moana Pasifika new sponsor
The Fijiana Drua turned on the style to end the Waratahs’ 21-match unbeaten streak with a 29-10 win in their top-of-the-table clash on the Gold Coast over the weekend. The Waratahs had not lost a match since the
Solomon Islands PM assures no Chinese military base
Amid a regional backlash, the Solomon Islands said it would not allow a Chinese military base in the Pacific islands nation despite its plans to sign a security pact with Beijing. Following the initialling of a draft
UN appoints Tuvalu national as climate change expert
Ian Fry, a Tuvaluan national, has been selected as the first Special Rapporteur on Climate Change by top UN rights body for three
Nauru records first COVID cases
Nauru's President Lionel Aingimea has announced the first two COVID-19 cases in Nauru, and says there is no cause for
Australia to provide $258k for Fiji General Election
Australia will contribute $258k to Fiji’s Electoral Commission to support an independent audit of the National Register of
ANZ to close American Samoa, sell Guam businesses
ANZ is closing its banking operations in American Samoa and is looking for buyers for its Guam business. ANZ Country Head, American Territories, Clarke Schaumann, said: “This was not a decision we made lightly but we
FSM President appeals to Sogavare
The Federated States of Micronesia leader has spoken out against the proposed security deal between Solomon Islands and China. President David W. Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) wrote to Solomon
Tonga lockdown restrictions eased
Lockdown restrictions in Tonga will be eased with businesses able to operate for three days starting on Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday, said the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siasoi Sovaleni. This means businesses
$5m for PNG PM’s one-day state visit to Jakarta
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape this week leads a 71-member delegation to Jakarta, Indonesia today in what could be his last state visit. Marape and his large delegation will spend 24-hours in Indonesia, in
Palau President seeks $100k for fintech projects
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr requests US$100,000 for financial technology projects including the Digital Residency
Melanesian Spearhead Group receives US$100,000 from Indonesia police
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat has received a contribution of US$100,000 from the Indonesian National Police (INP), for the formulation of the MSG Regional Security Strategy (RSS). At a virtual
