PNG to turn pipeline NRL dream into bona fide reality
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister has confirmed he expects his nation’s entry to the NRL to get the green light on Thursday, as officials prepare to turn a pipeline dream into a bona fide rugby league club.
Fiji-Canada Business Council to launch, strengthening economic ties
The newly-established Fiji-Canada Business Council hopes to tap into the opportunities presented by the 100,000 plus diaspora in Canada. “We are here to help Canadian businesses and investors navigate the
Panguna human rights report fuels Bougainville demands for Rio Tinto-funded mine clean-up
The first large-scale environmental impact assessment of Rio Tinto’s abandoned Panguna mine in Papua New Guinea has found local communities face life-threatening risks from its legacy. The independent study was
Kiribati Court of Appeal hears deported Judge Lambourne’s appeal
The Kiribati Court of Appeal on Friday heard an appeal from High Court Judge David Lambourne, who was forced out of the country earlier this year following a dispute with the government. RNZ Pacific reports that
Collapse of government in Paris sends shockwaves to Noumea
by Nic Maclellan A no-confidence motion in the French National Assembly has ousted the government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier. But for New Caledonians, still reeling from the economic, cultural and social
Lilo moves to dethrone Solomon Islands PM Manele with no-confidence vote
After weeks of speculation, it’s now confirmed that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele will face a no-confidence vote in the current sitting of parliament. Notice of the motion, which will be moved by
Taiwan president, in Guam, says: We won’t bow to totalitarianism
Taiwan will not bow down to totalitarianism, President Lai Ching-Te said on Thursday in the U.S territory of Guam, calling Taiwan and the United States “brothers”. Lai arrived in Guam, a major U.S military base,
Opinion: Trusted partner to the Pacific, or giant fossil fuel exporter? This week, Australia chose the latter
Australia has long tried to be two things at once – a trusted friend to Pacific nations in a bid to reduce China’s influence, and a giant exporter of fossil fuels. This diplomatic tightrope has become increasingly
Vanuatu’s Climate Change envoy blasts major emitters Australia, US at ICJ Climate case
Vanuatu’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu, has slammed Australia, the United States, and other major polluters for their stance during the International Court of Justice (ICJ) climate hearings in The
NRL’s PNG team expected to be confirmed next week
The NRL is expected to confirm as early as next week a team from Papua New Guinea will enter the competition later this decade. The PNG bid, propped up by $600 million (US$386 million) of Australian government
Australian Federal Police incinerates 500kg of cocaine seized after alleged PNG import attempt
Senior police officers from Australia and Papua New Guinea have monitored the destruction of 500kg of cocaine, which was seized by authorities in 2020 after the black flight believed to have been transporting it to
CIVICUS Monitor upgrades the condition of basic freedoms in Fiji to “narrowed” from “obstructed”
The CIVICUS Monitor has announced in a new report Wednesday that it has upgraded Fiji’s civic space to “Narrowed” from “Obstructed” in its annual ratings, with the expansion of space for civil society and the
Massive $1.8b project to build 600km road in PNG linked to businessman criticised in ‘land grab’ scandal
An ABC investigation has linked the Australian businessmen behind Papua New Guinea’s largest agroforestry project to key figures in a massive Indigenous land grab scandal in the country’s Western Province
Albanese wants to “China-proof” the Pacific, but Nauru is driving a hard bargain
The Albanese government hopes to end the year with a major foreign policy victory by signing a landmark pact with Nauru aimed at preventing China from gaining a security foothold in the Pacific. The Sydney Morning
Top UN court hears landmark Vanuatu-led climate case
Vanuatu has opened proceedings in a landmark climate case brought before the UN’s top court, arguing international law and the warming of the atmosphere demands broader action. The Pacific state is leading two
Tuilaepa will contest in 2026 election
In a resolute display of political longevity, veteran parliamentarian and Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi made it clear that retirement is not on the horizon. At
Big polluters’ legal obligations are in treaty: Australia
Australia has reiterated its commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate action but does not think high-emitting countries have further legal responsibilities to stave off climate catastrophe. In a landmark case
18 new HIV/Aids cases detected daily in PNG
The number of HIV and AIDS cases in Papua New Guinea is on the rise with 18 new infections detected daily. According to the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health Dr Ken Wai, more than 77,000 people are currently
American Samoa granted observer status in Forum Fisheries Agency
American Samoa’s director of Marine and Wildlife Resources Taotasi Archie Soliai is ecstatic that American Samoa has been granted observer status in the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). The Deputy Director General of
$17M Vailima Brewery opens doors
The Taste of Samoa has returned home and will hit the market in a week as the $17 million (US$6.11 million) Vailima Breweries factory was officially opened on Friday evening. This marks the return of the production of
K100 million allocated for PNG NRL bid support programme
The Papua New Guinea Government has allocated K100 million (US$25 million) in the 2025 National Budget to rugby league. The budget was handed down last Friday in the National Parliament. Under Volume 3A document of the
New Zealand navy ship sank off Samoa because autopilot was left on, inquiry finds
A series of human errors caused a New Zealand navy ship HMNZS Manawanui to plough into a reef off the coast of Samoa, where it caught fire and sank, according to the preliminary findings of a military court of inquiry
Kanak pro-independence leader Christian Téin to remain in mainland France jail
Pro-independence Kanak leader Christian Téin will remain in mainland France jail for the time being, a Court of Appeal ruled in Nouméa on Friday. This followed an earlier ruling on 22 October from the Court