Arkansas lawmakers approve emergency rule to grant SNAP benefits to Marshallese migrants
A legislative subcommittee on Thursday approved an emergency rule to comply with a new U.S federal law that extends certain public assistance programme benefits to migrants from the Marshall Islands. Arkansas is home to
Rural electrification is still a challenge in Papua New Guinea
The establishment of rural electrification around Papua New Guinea is hindered by various challenges, putting a halt in its progress as stated in a research paper in the 2024 PNG Update. The challenges range from
Refugee numbers rising in Papua New Guinea
A silent refugee emergency has been gathering force with every human conflict, every natural disaster and even major project developments in the country. So much so that over the last four years 1,600,000 have been
Ban on journalist during PNG visit by Indonesia’s Prabowo condemned
Papua New Guinea’s media council has condemned as “concerning” and “shameful” the exclusion of a BenarNews journalist from media events during a visit by Indonesia’s President-elect to the capital Port
Another lay day called for WSL’s Fiji Pro
The race to lock away a World Surf League finals berth will have to wait a little bit longer after the Fiji Pro was put on hold for a second consecutive day. Poor conditions convinced organisers to call a lay day for
Fiji Airways signs lease agreement for three ATR 72-600s
Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has announced the successful execution of a lease agreement for three ATR 72-600 aircraft with Fiji Airways. The aircraft are from NAC’s orderbook with ATR. Fiji Airways, the national
Pacific Civil Society Forum to launch during 53rd Leaders Meeting
The Pacific Civil Society Forum will host a Pacific People’s Forum alongside the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga from 26 – 30 August, with its theme “Pikipiki Hama Kae Vaevae Manava.”.
The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting: Why does it matter?
The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM53) kicks off next week in Nukualofa, and it has some Tongans asking what is its purpose, and what are the benefits of this annual event? Director for Governance and
Forum delays mission to New Caledonia, after diplomatic wrangling
The Pacific Islands Forum has postponed a planned monitoring mission to New Caledonia. The delegation, involving three prime ministers, had intended to visit the French Pacific dependency before next week’s
Legal Starlink users remain online in Samoa
The Samoa regulator has announced that legal Starlink users in Samoa will continue to have access to their services, as confirmed by SpaceX and will not be affected by the temporary cut-off scheduled for 21 August.
UN experts alarmed by situation of Kanak indigenous peoples in the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia
The French Parliament adopted a bill on 14 May 2024 that dismantles one of the cornerstones of the Nouméa Accord by unfreezing the electoral body in New Caledonia, a non-self-governing territory under French
China promises to help Fiji tackle climate change as Beijing seeks greater Pacific role
China has pledged to support Fiji’s development in a world beset with “turmoil” and help tackle the impact of climate change during Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit to Beijing, reports the South China
UN Secretary-General Guterres to start Pacific swing
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is making his first visit to the Pacific in five years, taking in Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga and East Timor. The centrepiece of Guterres’ mission will be the
Kiribati closes border to diplomats until 2025
Kiribati has banned foreign diplomatic visits until 2025 due to national elections in a move that has left officials scrambling for more information. A letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration sent to
Kiribati elections results: 58 percent turnout and a record five women elected into 45-seat parliament
A record five female MPs have been elected into the Kiribati parliament, the Maneaba ni Maungatabo, which is one more than the last polls, while 14 sitting MPs have lost their seats in this year’s election. The
39 runs scored from one over as Samoa batter breaks international record
History was created at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifier A event on Tuesday as Samoan batter Darius Visser helped break the record for most runs from one over of a men’s
Australian partnership to strengthen Pacific football
A new partnership will see Australian and Pacific national teams play regular international matches. The Australian Government and Football Australia have signed a new four-year investment through the PacificAus Sports
Kiribati, Niue and Tuvalu struggle to keep up with high cost of living
Purchasing basic commodities, such as food, has been a big challenge for residents of Kiribati, Niue and Tuvalu, which are most affected by global inflation, according to the Asian Development Bank’s latest economic
Kiribati elections: Voters wait for final results
Voters in Kiribati are awaiting the final results of the runoff round of elections on Monday. Twenty-five of the 45 parliamentary seats were confirmed in the first round on Wednesday last week, with those candidates
New Caledonia requests Australian aid for riot rebuild
New Caledonia is looking to Australia for aid to help rebuild its capital city after deadly riots. The French territory was marred by civil unrest and riots that left 10 dead in May after controversial voting reforms
Papua independence protestors seek papal intervention after clashes with Indonesian forces
Indonesian security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with protestors marking the 62nd anniversary of a UN agreement that paved the way for Jakarta’s annexation of the Papua region. At least one
PRF expresses grave concerns following discovery of needles and syringes amidst rising drug cases
PRF Expresses Grave Concerns Following Discovery of Needles and Syringes Amidst Rising Drug Cases Amidst the rise in drug cases in Fiji, Pacific Recycling Foundation is issuing an urgent appeal, expressing deep concern
Chair of PNG NRL bid hoping for announcement by end of 2024
Papua New Guinea’s bid to have a team in Australia’s National Rugby League will “hopefully” be confirmed by the end of this year, bid chairman Wapu Sonk has told the 2024 Business Advantage PNG Investment
