FEO begins the destruction of 2022 ballot papers
The Fijian Elections Office is focused on preparations for the 2026 general election and the local government elections later this year. Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said this as the Fiji Elections Office today
Air Niugini to refleet, expect reduced airfares
The Papua New Guinea Government has made available a total of over K5 billion (US$1.24 billion) to purchase a new Air Niugini fleet. Air Niugini board chairman Kagl Yalo announced this at the opening of the second
Solomon Islands, Tuvalu discuss international shipping registry
Solomon Islands Minister for Infrastructure Development (MID), Manasseh Maelanga, held a dialogue last week at the margins of the Honiara Ocean Summit with Tuvalu’s Minister for Natural Resources Development, Sa’aga
Marshall Islands changes Ukraine vote
The Marshall Islands and Palau joined Russia and the United States in voting Monday last week against a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly about Ukraine, which called for the withdrawal of Russian troops
Steps forward in New Caledonia political talks
For the first time since 2019, there have been tripartite talks on the political status of New Caledonia, during an eight-day visit by France’s Overseas Minister Manuel Valls. After six months of conflict that began
Guam port seeking tariff rate hike
The Port Authority of Guam is seeking to raise tariffs by up to 17 percent this year as part of the agency’s revenue enhancement strategy. The port’s board of directors on Wednesday approved a resolution
Tongan airline Lulutai seeking $7 million subsidy
The Tongan government is assessing the possibility of ceasing Lulutai Airlines services due to its inability to meet financial obligations, the Minister for Public Enterprises says. The news follows serious
Australia tallies Pacific impact of U.S foreign aid cuts
Australia is racing to identify the South Pacific’s most pressing funding needs as the United States moves to slash its foreign aid budget, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Thursday. Crucial food, climate
847 Samoans receive New Zealand citizenship in three months
New Zealand Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says 847 Samoans have been granted New Zealand citizenship since the Citizenship [Western Samoa – Restoration] Amendment Bill passed into law three months
Crucial 2023 PG documents ‘missing’
Supporting documents to complete a full audit into the 2023 Pacific Games expenditures have reportedly gone missing and may have been destroyed, sources have revealed. These documents include receipts, authorisation of
Vanuatu’s CBD partially re-opens more than two months after killer quake
Vanuatu authorities have reopened parts of Port Vila’s central business district more than two months after it was devastated by a massive magnitude-7.3 earthquake. Over 14 people were killed during the 17
Knee issue could force Tigers’ Olam into retirement
The NRL future of Papua New Guinea international Justin Olam is under a cloud as the Wests Tigers centre battles an ongoing knee injury. Olam has been absent from the Tigers’ two pre-season games and is
Samoa PM Fiame Mata’fa commands majority, vote of no-confidence fails
The vote of no confidence to unseat Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and her cabinet failed when the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday voted with 34 members opposing the motion and 15 for it. It
A Silver Linings Playbook for the aid sector in 2025
In the midst of the swift and brutal dismantling of USAID there has been a swell of voices in defence of aid. They have pointed to the good that aid does for the world’s most vulnerable; the importance of aid to U.S
Solomon Islands PM welcomes delegates for the Honiara Summit
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on Monday formally welcomes leaders converging in Honiara this week for the ‘Honiara Summit on the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
Sir Arnold Amet appointed new PNG Ambassador to US
Former Papua New Guinea Chief Justice and Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet has been appointed as the new PNG Ambassador to United States of America. Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced Sir
Pacific ‘not a chessboard for global competition’: Dr Aqorau
A proliferation of security deals in the Pacific may be harming rather than helping the region and increasing the risk of conflict, observers have warned. Geopolitical tensions were among the most hotly debated topics
‘Deplorable’ Nauru visa deal to face court challenge
A controversial Australian federal government bid to deport an immigration detainees to Nauru will face a High Court challenge after a legal not-for-profit launched proceeding. AAP reports that the man is one of three
Operation White Wave: Fiji Police to destroy over 4 tonnes of meth this week
The Fiji Police Force yesterday began the week-long process to destroy over four tonnes of methamphetamine, an initiative they have named Operation White Wave. While details of the operation that led to the seizure of
ANALYSIS: Marshall Islands at high risk of cyber attack
Pacific Island countries are ripe for cyber-attacks. With few resources, even fewer skilled information security personnel, and low levels of internet awareness among populations, island nations are easy targets for
Napat: ‘Donors must work our way or take their money back’
Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat has voiced frustration over the lengthy procedures involved in accessing donor funds meant to assist Vanuatu, stating that such delays delay effective recovery and development
Scotland and Samoa lead the PacificAus Netball series
The PacificAus Sports Netball Series is heating up, with Scotland and Samoa emerging as the dominant teams after the first three rounds of matches at Nissan Arena in Brisbane. As the competition progresses towards its
Samoa’s embattled Prime Minister faces court action to have her removed
Samoa Opposition Leader and head of the Human Rights Protection Party, Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi has gone to the Supreme Court to get Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to step down on the grounds that she
