PNG minister steps down after woman’s alleged assault in Bondi
One of Papua New Guinea’s most senior ministers have stepped down from his post after being arrested for the alleged assault of a 31-year-old woman in Bondi. Jimmy Maladina, who was the country’s Minister for
Samoa produce comeback upset victory over Italy
Samoa recovered from a 10-point deficit to beat Italy 33-25 in a sweltering Test in Apia on Friday. The home side scored four tries to three in a successful start to the tenure of new coach Mahonri Schwalger and newly
Budget cuts would be ‘devastating’ and ‘deadly’, say U.S. diplomats
Cuts to the U.S. State Department’s 2025 budget proposed by the House of Representatives would be “deadly” and “devastating” to American efforts to counter China’s growing power in the Indo-Pacific region,
Australia to strike new funding deal with PNG to manage transferred asylum seekers
The Albanese government will strike a new funding deal with Papua New Guinea to support asylum seekers after the country threatened to send them back to Australia unless a fresh agreement was signed. In December 2021
‘Very early stages’ of talks on viability of Nauru Airlines’ direct Australia-Guam route
Visiting Nauru Airline officials on Tuesday met with Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and other local officials on the possibility of adding Guam to Nauru Airlines’ route, as it once did in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Future of New Zealand’s Nauru resettlement deal unclear
New Zealand is unlikely to resettle its full quota of refugees from Nauru under its 2022 agreement with Australia, and faces choices on the future of the pact. A deal struck by previous governments on both sides of the
Tarere, Vele to join Team PNG for Paris Olympics
Papua New Guinea Swimming Inc this week confirmed that two of its swimmers, Josh Tarere and Georgia-Leigh Vele are bound for the Paris Olympic Games after their universality slots were approved by World Aquatics. This
Cyclone risks for Pacific Island hospitals modelled
Cyclone and extreme weather risks for individual hospitals across Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Tonga are being modelled in a study led out of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Climate models with
‘Talanoa’ key to Forum’s seabed mining approach
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, the Pacific Islands Forum outgoing chair, told the media in May that one of the outcomes of the Leaders meeting in Rarotonga last year on the issue was a “talanoa” (a Pacific
Theo McFarland to captain Manu Samoa
Theo McFarland has been given the Manu Samoa captain’s armband for the July Tests against Italy and Spain, and according to management, the lock deserves the leadership role. The 28-year-old was one of the
Air Niugini increase flights to Hong Kong
Air Niugini has increased its direct flights between Port Moresby and Hong Kong from three to four flights per week, effective Monday 01st July 2024. The additional service operates every Monday, adding to the
Cook Islands new minimum wage comes into effect, employers told to adhere
Employers in the Cook Islands are required to adhere to the new minimum wage rate that comes into effect today. The new minimum wage increases by 50 cents $9.00 to $9.50 per hour (US$5.47 – $5.77) from today,
All female Pacific crew set to sail Hinemoana II for research on whales
An all-female Pacific-crewed expedition is to set sail from New Zealand’s North Island for scientific research on whale populations. The Hinemoana II is set to leave the Bay of Plenty in mid-July and arrive in
Fiji Navy successfully salvages RFNS Puamau after grounding incident
The Fiji Navy has announced the successful salvage of RFNS Puamau, three weeks after the grounding incident in Fulaga in the Lau group. Following two weeks of intensive operations, the Ratu Rabici tug, with support
Pacific export revenue returns to pre-pandemic levels
The Pacific island region’s export industry has recovered its pre-pandemic-level performance, posting a 49 percent revenue increase in 2023, which was twice the growth rate recorded in 2022, according to the 2024
Forum welcomes appointment of Deputy Secretary General, Desna Solofa
The Pacific Islands Forum has announced the appointment of Desna Solofa as the Deputy Secretary General – Governance, effective 24 June 2024. Solofa joins the Forum from the Government of Samoa, where she was the
New Zealand secure sixth OFC Men’s Nations Cup success
New Zealand have claimed their sixth OFC Men’s Nations Cup title after a scrappy 3-0 win over Vanuatu at VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila. A gallant home side had lost their group match against New
PNGOC elects first female President
Papua The Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has made history by electing Mrs Emma Waiwai as its first female President during the 2024 Annual General Assembly held in Port Moresby. This landmark election
Fiji Rugby announces strong 7s team for Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Fiji Rugby has announced a strong squad for Team Fiji’s campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The squad, under the guidance of Head Coach Osea Kolinisau, is set to aim for Olympic glory later this month.
FRU Constitution Passed, Fiji Rugby Union Limited under new structure
The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) had its Constitution passed Saturday after a unanimous vote by Union members at the FRU Special General Meeting which was held at the Novotel Convention Centre at Lami. Earlier last month,
Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit Director’s contract terminated
The Office of the Attorney General in Vanuatu has confirmed that Floyd Ray Mera’s contract as the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been terminated. This follows his suspension on 16 October,
First round of French Pacific results show radicalisation, especially in New Caledonia
French Pacific results for the first round of French national snap elections have shown on Sunday a firm radicalisation, especially in the case of New Caledonia. In both of New Caledonia’s constituencies, the
Samoa minimum wage increases to $4 per hour
There will be more money to take home for those on minimum wage as the Samoa cabinet has approved an increase in the minimum wage rate. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labour announced that, following Cabinet
