Hegseth: U.S committed to defence of Pacific territories against China
U.S Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed the United States is committed to defending the Pacific territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands and said any attack on them would be an attack on the
Seven more rugby legends to be inducted into Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame in Auckland
The Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame (PRHF) will induct seven former Pasifika rugby stars at the Eden Park Centre next month. It is the second induction since its inception 12 months ago. Former Black Ferns halfback Monique
Breaking the cycle of donor dependency in the Pacific
For decades, the Pacific Islands region has been heavily reliant on donor funding to support development, governance, and capacity-building initiatives. While donor support has played a role in strengthening
Micronesian Air maiden flight expected in April, but Guam routes up in the air
Micronesian Air Connection Services (MACS) is expected to have its maiden flight in April, but it will not include Guam in its route as it will only initially service Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The startup carrier, which
Prompt for discussion released ahead of Fiji electoral system consultations
Fiji’s newly appointed commissioners to the Electoral Law Reform Commission have launched two vital documents in preparation for an elections process already being met with both hope and concern for the Fijian public.
Bougainville House of Representatives converts to Bougainville Constituent Assembly
It was an emotional end to the Bougainville Parliament Thursday as the Bougainville House of Representatives officially transitioned into the Bougainville Constituent Assembly. The House erupted in applause as the
Australia PM Albanese calls national election for 03 May
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday called a national election for 03 May, launching a five-week campaign that is set to be dominated by cost-of-living pressures. Albanese’s Labor party won a
Pacific Resilience Facility set for ratification as Forum secure global support
The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) is on track for ratification at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting (PIFLM) in Honiara, Solomon Islands in September, following a major decision made during the
PNG’s 2024 trade with China exceeded K17.8 billion
The volume of trade between China and Papua New Guinea in 2024 exceeded K17.8 billion (US$4.39 billion)– with a surplus of more than K7.5 billion(US$1.85 billion) on the PNG side. In recent years, more Chinese
Media Council warns against rising tide of SLAPP lawsuits in PNG
The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) convened its latest Press Club event focusing on the alarming increase of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) lawsuits. Held in Port Moresby,
Micronesian leader says he trusts Japan’s nuclear wastewater disposal process
Micronesian President Wesley Simina has expressed confidence in Japan’s treatment of radioactive water being dumped from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi power plant into the Pacific Ocean. “The visit to Fukushima
Fiji exported goods worth K43.9million to PNG in 2023
Fiji’s exports to Papua New Guinea reached more than FJD$25.3 million (about K43.9 million/US$10.93 million) in 2023, with items such as electric conductors, sweet biscuits and garments, according to Fiji’s Deputy
Tongan PM warns of global uncertainty as Forum Finance Ministers endorse three key regional initiatives
In a clear warning to his fellow Pacific Finance Ministers, Tongan Prime Minister and Forum Chair Dr ʻAisake Eke highlighted on Wednesday the rising global uncertainty, fuelled in part by shifting U.S policies under
‘My parents always told me to dream for the stars: ‘CHamoru name makes it to the moon
Among other things, Marcus Manglona from Guam now has one claim to fame—his name is on the moon. The Blue Ghost lunar lander, which landed on the moon on 02 March, carried with it not just NASA scientific equipment
Researchers find active volcanic hotspot in Cook Islands seabed
Researchers have discovered a potentially younger and active volcanic hotspot beneath the Cook Islands’ waters, prompting excitement for geological understanding and raising calls for caution regarding seabed
Wasted millions: $8.3 million Tongiaki catamaran no longer serves Tonga, review finds
A vessel once celebrated for its speed and preferred as an alternative to air transport in Tonga has been revealed to be non-operational, barely five years after its launch. The Minister of Public Enterprises Piveni
Australia pivots foreign aid to Pacific to cover U.S. cut
Pacific Island nations will get a larger chunk of Australia’s foreign aid as spending is refocused after the United States slashed its aid agency. Foreign Minister Penny Wong asked her department to compile a
PNG superannuation funds attribute profits to offshore activity, BSP
Papua New Guinea’s largest superannuation funds – Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) and the National Superannuation Fund – have attributed profits to offshore investments and the Bank of South Pacific Financial
Solomon Islands Opposition leader Wale calls for halt of proposed mining on San Jorge
Solomon Islands leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the Minister of Mines & Energy to halt the proposed granting of a mining license to Far East Resources Company Ltd for nickel mining on San Jorge.
2025 Australian aid update
Australia’s foreign aid (Official Development Assistance or ODA) for 2025-26 is budgeted at $5.097 billion as announced in Tuesday evening’s Federal Budget, a 2.7% increase over the 2024-25 aid budget of $4.961
Alliance Airlines granted FAOC to operate in Vanuatu
The Government of Vanuatu, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV), has granted a Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC) to
Tonga’s Ministry of Finance CEO calls for unity to overcome Pacific’s economic challenges
Tonga’s Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Finance, Kilisitina Tuaimei’api, opened the Special Forum Economic Officials Meeting (FEOM) Tuesday, with a call for unity in addressing the unprecedented
PNG Government confirms successful test of Facebook controls system
It seems the Papua New Guinea Government has now begun steps towards implementing system controls of Facebook and its use through mobile operators and the ICT industry regulator. Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr,
Convicted fraudsters stranded abroad after Marshall Islands revokes their passports
A pair of China-born scammers convicted of bribing officials via a fake United Nations agency have had their Marshall Islands passports revoked while outside the country, potentially leaving them stranded in permanent
