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
News
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
Wallis and Futuna elects new assembly president
Wallis and Futuna has a new Assembly President, Munipoese Muli’aka’aka. As the only candidate for the role, Muli’aka’aka was elected unanimously by the 20 member assembly. Previous assembly
Additional COVID funding postpones aid cuts
Faced with the prospect of another cut to aid while the COVID-19 pandemic continues – and in some ways intensifies in our region – the government has again reached for the “temporary and targeted” lever to avoid
Tonga health ministry confirms six COVID-19 deaths
Six deaths from COVID-19 in Tonga have been confirmed, while another five people with the virus died from underlying illnesses, Tonga’s Minister for Health, Dr Saia Piukala said. The confirmation comes after
Solomon Islands PM says China security deal ‘ready for signing’
Solomon Islands' PM says a contentious security agreement with Beijing was “ready for
Regional e-commerce negotiators training begins
Pacific officials have started a four-week training course to help them engage with negotiations and implementation of e-commerce rules. Currently, many Pacific countries require support to negotiate and implement rules
Solomons: Putting a draft security deal with China in local context
A draft MOU between Honiara and Beijing on security related issues has sparked international headlines and worried response from
