SOL23: New Caledonia leads medal tally
New Caledonia continues to lead the medal tally at the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands with 23 gold medals, and 60 medals in total. Australia holds second place with 21 gold medals, with Samoa in third with 10
Vanuatu politics: MPs make compromises to avoid dissolution of parliament
Politically the mood eased slightly Wednesday in Vanuatu after the President Nikenike Vurobaravu had ordered MPs to sort themselves out or he would dissolve the parliament. At a short, extraordinary session MPs voted to
RBF ups Fiji economic growth projection
The Reserve Bank of Fiji has upwardly revised Fiji’s 2023 economic growth forecast to 8.2%. The RBF had earlier said Fiji’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would grow by 8%. RBF Governor and Chair of the
Thousands evacuated, flights cancelled as Mt Ulawun in PNG erupts
The Mt Ulawun volcano in Papua New Guinea erupted Monday, forcing the evacuation of more than 5,000 persons, cancellation of flights into and out of Hoskins, and ashfall affecting a wide area. Air Niugini suspended all
Sovereign rights not enough, regional cooperation needed for deep-sea mining: TIS
There needs to be a regional approach to deep-sea mining, as opposed to relying solely on the sovereign rights of individual nations, given the transboundary risks such activities can pose to the Pacific Ocean, says a
Pacific Games highlights
New Caledonia leads the medal tally at the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands with 17 gold medals, and 47 medals in total. Australia is currently in second place with 12 gold medals, with Samoa in third with eight
Pacific churches discuss self-determination for Kanaky
“You belong to the family and the household of the Pacific more than you belong to Europe. We do not need to invite you in order to welcome you. You have been a Pacific people right from the beginning.” Reverend Dr.
First PNG woman for peacekeeping duties
Major Jacqueline Lilih has been posted to the United Nations Peacekeeping mission in Sudan, the first female PNG military officer to be deployed sent on such a tour of duty. Major Lilih departs for South Sudan today (21
PNG Government to probe refugee bills
Local businesses which provided services for refugees under the PNG Humanitarian Programme (PHP) must be paid, says Prime Minister James Marape. Under the PHP, refugees have been living in apartments and receiving
Dr Sivendra Michael is Fiji’s new PS for Environment and Climate Change
Fiji’s Dr Sivendra Michael has become the country’s newly-appointed Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change. Dr Michael has spent the last 10 years working in the climate change adaptation (CCA) and
Third release of treated water from Fukushima nuclear plant ends safely, TEPCO says
The release of a third batch of treated radioactive wastewater from Japan’s damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean ended safely as planned, its operator said Monday, as the country’s seafood
Tonga did not sign the Samoa Agreement
Tonga did not sign the Samoa Agreement, that took place in Samoa last week. Tonga’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, said that there is a requirement in order to formalise Tonga’s
Tonga wins 2023 Pacific Invasive Species Battler of the Year Award
National Invasive Species Coordinator of the Tonga Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), Viliami Hakaumotu has been honoured as the
Pacific Games update: Day 4 highlights
New Caledonia is leading the medal tally after the fourth day of competition at the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands. New Caledonia took the lead after dominating the pool with eight gold medals, seven silver and eight
Mixed signs of agreement, warnings mark end of latest treaty talks
The third round of the plastics treaty negotiations concluded 19 November on a very mixed note, with countries agreeing to move forward but with environmental groups delivering sharp warnings that the talks risk failure
Raise PNG wage rate, says CPL founder
A prominent businessman has urged the PNG Government to increase the minimum wage to enable grassroots people to survive in these tough economic times. City Pharmacy Ltd Group founder, Sir Mahesh Patel, said the base
Spectacular Opening Ceremony kicks off SOL23 Pacific Games
The Sol2023 Pacific Games officially commenced on Sunday night with a vibrant Opening Ceremony at Solomon Islands’ newly built National Stadium in Honiara. The event, held under the theme ‘Iumi Na Iumi’ meaning
Athletes from across the Pacific react to Sol2023 opening ceremony
Amid scenes of wild excitement at the Sol2023 Pacific Games opening ceremony on Sunday night in Honiara, the Games News Service spoke to athletes and officials from across the region to capture the excitement of the
Starlink to provide internet services in Fiji
Starlink (Fiji) Pte Limited (‘Starlink’), a leading provider of low Earth orbiting satellite systems, has been granted a spectrum licence by the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, and a
Low-key election campaign in Marshalls belies vote importance
Marshall Islanders go to the polls Monday 20 November following what may have been the quietest election campaign in the 44-years of constitutional government. But the muted campaign — there are no political parties
“The Spirit of Do Kamo”: church youth delegates meet in New Caledonia
As the bus traverses the Col des rousettes – a pass through New Caledonia’s central mountain chain – the guitars come out. Heading towards the east coast town of Waa wi Lûû (Houaïlou), the bus resonates to
1,816 sign petition as effort to end Vanuatu political instability
Over 1,816 citizens representing different sectors and voices, going under the Movement Red, have signed a petition urging parliamentarians to urgently discuss and pass Bills addressing political integrity. 164 people
New Caledonia independence parties prepare for talks with France
Key members of the New Caledonia’s independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) have debated policy at party congresses, in preparation for looming negotiations with the French