New COVID case in Solomon Islands
A positive case of COVID-19 has been announced in Solomon Islands’ Western Province following testing of ship crew members. The patient is a crew member on an international cargo ship which has been under
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Cook Is revises policies to ease labour gaps
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration rolled out changes to its immigration policies on Monday in a bid to ease labour skills shortages in the Cook Islands. Easing health checks for workers wanting to come in
BSP considers legal options over alleged money laundering warning
Bank South Pacific says it is considering its legal options after the Bank of Papua New Guinea formally cautioned it over what the central bank believes is “contrary conduct under the anti money laundering/counter
Gender-based violence report to go to PNG parliament
Papua New Guinea Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will table a report for the August session of parliament which will include concrete, practical recommendations for action aimed at
How to manage a $1.6 billion debt and other challenges
Pacific finance and trade leaders will have critical meetings this week to discuss how they can rebuild the region’s economies following the economic devastation wrought by COVID-19. Managing increasing debt burdens
Mixed response to Fiji’s ‘no jab, no job’ order
The Fiji government’s direction that all civil servants and private sector employees receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by August 1st has met with a mixed reaction. Last week Prime Minister Voreqe
IAEA to review and monitor the safety of water release at Fukushima Daiichi
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it will play a “vital role” in monitoring and reviewing Japan’s implementation of its plan to discharge treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
PUNA, Commonwealth speak on Samoa
As Samoa’s political impasse drags on, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says he’s confident “all parties will work together to convene parliament as soon as possible, in respect of the democratic
Olympic travel a big challenge for some Pacific Island teams
Famous athletes in sports like tennis and golf heading to the Tokyo Olympics will probably arrive in Japan at the front of the plane. It’s a style to which the athletes of the Pacific Islands are unaccustomed.
OPINION: Scrambling for work – the RSE Scheme
As part of Pacific Cooperation Foundation’s (PCF) Pacific Voices series, FotuoSamoa Jackson shares her views on the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme and asks the New Zealand Government to take more
“If it is safe, dump it in Tokyo”
Japan’s Yoshihide Suga has announced a new “Pacific bonds” policy to strengthen cooperation between Japan and Forum Island Countries, as Pacific leaders joined the Japanese Prime Minister on Friday for an online
Coca Cola Fiji moves to buy Fiji brewer outright
Coca Cola Fiji Limited (CCEP Fiji) has moved to buy brewer Paradise Beverages Fiji outright. This follows CCEP Fiji’s acquisition of 57,323 (equivalent to 0.55%) ordinary shares in PBF from Platinum Insurance
Palau Customs Director calls for stricter border controls
The Director of Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, John Tarkong Jr last week recommended that Palau’s president stop issuing waivers of entry permits to persons, vessels and aircraft coming into the country.
Rugby sevens pools announced for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The pools for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic rugby sevens competitions have been confirmed as players, teams and fans countdown to the kick-off at Tokyo Stadium on 26 July. The 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams have been
Vanuatu PM prevails
Vanuatu’s prime minister Bob Loughman has defeated a motion of no confidence against him in Parliament this morning. The motion was deposited by the opposition leader, Ralph Regenvanu, citing six main reasons for
2400 Vanuatu workers to go to NZ
300 workers from Vanuatu will be sent to New Zealand for work under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme every month until March next year, the NZ government has revealed. This will make a total of 2,400
Australia to arm PNG patrol boats
The Australian Department of Defence has announced it will arm the Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s four new Guardian-class Patrol Boats. The equipment will be delivered through the Pacific Maritime Security Programme
Nauru commits to 50 percent renewable electricity by 2023
Nauru took a big step on energy Friday on the world stage, announcing its commitment to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2023. The country’s Minister for Climate Change, Rennier Gadabu,
FAST swearing-in unlawful but Parliament must sit: Samoa Supreme court
The Samoa Supreme Court has declared the swearing in of the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party on the lawns outside Parliament was unconstitutional but has also ordered Parliament to convene within seven days
Fiji crowned Oceania 7s champions
Fijian 7s team was crowned the PacificAus Sports Oceania 7s champions after remaining undefeated and beating the All Black 7s 17-7 in their final match in Townsville. Coach Gareth Baber tried various combinations during
CDC expert says Palau has beaten COVID
A career epidemiology field officer for U.S affiliated Pacific Islands with U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr W Thane Hancock said Palau is one of the first countries to have beaten COVID.
Cook Islands passes budget
Cook Islands parliament has passed what Prime Minister Mark Brown has dubbed “a budget of revival.” The US$212 million budget includes an additional US7.7 million allocation for government agencies than was
Samoa HRPP seat declared void; election overturned
A Human Rights Protection Party(HRPP) Associate Minister has had his election in the seat of Sagaga No. 2 declared void by the Samoa Supreme Court following a legal challenge, triggering a by-election. This means
