Fiji tourism looks to India, China
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka’s busy schedule last week included a brief meeting with Indian actress, Rakul Preet Singh and her new husband, film producer Jackky Bhagnani. The couple were in Fiji for
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Palau hoping for more things to come
Palau may not have been able to bag everything it hoped for under the renegotiated terms of the Compact of Free Association, but at some point, a deal had to be closed and the nation had to settle for a compromise,
New flight route between Australia and Palau
A new non-stop flight service between Australia and Palau is being launched with the support of both countries’ governments. The Palau Paradise Express, operated by Nauru Airlines, will fly between Brisbane and
Scientific shark study resumes in New Caledonia
A scientific study on shark presence and behaviour is to resume shortly in New Caledonia’s Southern Province, where two incidents in February last year prompted an indiscriminate culling campaign. A similar
Vanuatu celebrates top ranking in Happy Planet Index
Vanuatu is proud to announce its achievement of ranking number one out of over 150 countries worldwide on the Happy Planet Index (HPI), for the second time since the index was first published in 2006. Two Government
Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) appoints new chairperson and deputy chairperson
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adela Issachar Aru as its new Board Chairperson. The SPTO Board of Directors endorsed the announcement of Aru as the new Chairperson at
Spartan Fiji aims to double participants, economic impact in 2024
Spartan Race CEO Russell Nelms hopes to double the number of people participating in the Fiji event this year, and its value to the local economy. Russell Helms says the event injected FJ$6.2 million into the economy in
Fiji and Rabuka’s Peacemaking Ambitions
The prime minister is promoting his “Ocean of Peace” concept, despite significant dissonance within Fiji’s foreign policy. Speaking to a rapt audience, Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka shared an account
Solomon Airlines considers supporting Air Vanuatu
THE new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solomon Airlines, Sean Te’o, said they are considering a collaboration with Air Vanuatu to train Air Vanuatu’s cabin crew members to work on Solomon Airlines A320 aircraft.
Papua New Guinea has ‘human capital crisis’, says World Bank
The World Bank has urged the largest Pacific Island nation, Papua New Guinea, to address a “human capital crisis” and invest more in educating children, who suffer high rates of stunted growth and illiteracy, as a
U.S. sanctions Cook Islands-flagged ships aiding Iranian drone shipment to Russia
Three Cook Islands-flagged vessels have been sanctioned by the United States for their involvement in the shipment of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Moeroa Mamanu-Matheson,
Kiribati’s Sir Ieremia Tabai scathing about decision to deport Australian-born judge
Kiribati’s first president Sir Ieremia Tabai says the decision by the government to deport Australian-born Judge David Lambourne from the country is “a farce”. The opposition MP said there is no doubt, in
Solomon Islands PM Manele calls for respect to democracy
Solomon Islands Prime Minister elect Jeremiah Manele gave his first speech outside parliament Thursday reminding Solomon Islanders to respect and uphold the democratic process of electing our Prime Minister. Manele
USP Council votes to bring controversial VC back to Fiji
Controversial University of the South Pacific (USP) Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, will return to be based at the USP main campus in Fiji following a decision by the University Council. The
Palau faces challenges, Opportunities in merging solar and diesel power
The Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) is undergoing a significant transformation driven by new energy technologies. This shift, centred on merging solar energy with existing diesel-generated power, presents
Social worker says Pacific men misinterpreting the Bible to justify domestic violence
There is concern over Bible verses being misinterpreted by some Pacific men to justify domestic violence, a Samoan-Chinese social worker says. Genevieve Sang-Yum, a lecturer in social work at Unitec’s Waitakere
CARE, SIUP, SIPRA nominate Matthew Wale as Solomon Islands PM candidate
The Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE), Solomon Islands United Party (SIUP) and Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement(SIPRA) has officially nominated former Opposition leader Matthew
Cook Islanders invited to discuss Health Bill, medicinal cannabis access
Cook Islands Health Secretary Bob Williams says it is important for the public to know and understand the Public Health Bill, set for public discussions starting today. A series of public consultations on the
CCTV network launched in Samoa
Criminals beware, you are now being watched as the Samoa Police and Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched the Safer CCTV Network that will keep an eye on hotspots around Apia. It comprises 30 CCTV cameras, a
Solomon Islands Caretaker PM Manasseh Sogavare bows out, won’t keep his job following elections
Solomon Islands Caretaker Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has passed on the leadership of the Parliamentary Wing of OUR Party to Prime Ministerial candidate, Jeremiah Manele. Speaking at a press briefing Monday
‘Tongan Pablo’ identified in corrupt Air NZ baggage crew smuggling drugs from Los Angeles into Auckland
A Tongan man has been named as the senior baggage handler at Auckland Airport who had arranged for his criminal colleagues to import methamphetamine into Aotearoa during the Covid-19 lockdown. A New Zealand Herald
Palau tourism rebounds, aims for Pre-Pandemic levels by year’s end
Palau’s tourism industry is experiencing a significant comeback, with visitor arrivals steadily increasing throughout 2023 and into 2024. Total arrivals in 2023 surpassed 42,000, reaching nearly 45 percent of
Fijian Drua rebound with tense win over Moana Pasifika
The Fijian Drua have hung on for a 24-17 win over Moana Pasifika in Lautoka. It was a pair of returning stars for Mick Byrne’s side that proved the difference and Taniela Rakuro and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula secured
