Puma stops fuel supply in PNG, PM searches Australia for fuel

Puma stops fuel supply in PNG PNG’s fuel dilemma is far from over.  Service stations are shutting down while Jet A1 that keeps planes flying might finish today, says the country’s major fuel supplier Puma Energy

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‘Greenwashing’: Cook Islands Environment group slams ‘mineral harvesting’ in Seabed Mining Act

The introduction of the term ‘mineral harvesting’ in the legislation governing seabed minerals in the Cook Islands is an attempt to ‘greenwash this destructive industry’, says a local environment group.  Te

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Taiwan envoy says Tuvalu ties ‘rock solid’ post-election

Lawmakers in Tuvalu have selected Feleti Teo as the Pacific island nation’s new prime minister, weeks after an election that put ties with Taiwan in focus.  Former Attorney General Teo secured the support of

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U.S. cautions Pacific nations after Kiribati gets Chinese police

The United States on Feb 26 cautioned Pacific Island nations against receiving assistance from Chinese security forces after Reuters reported that Chinese police are working in the remote atoll nation of Kiribati.

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Kīngi Tūheitia to attend inaugural meeting of Pacific traditional leaders in Fiji

Kīngi Tūheitia has accepted an invitation to meet with Pacific traditional leaders in Fiji.  Fijian paramount chief Epenisa Seru Cakobau will host the meeting of leaders from Samoa, Tonga, Hawai’i and Fiji,

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Feleti Teo elected unopposed as Tuvalu’s new Prime Minister

Feleti Teo secured the position of Tuvalu’ new Prime Minister without facing any opposition Monday. He was elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu after the 2024 general election in January. Tuvalu MP Simon Kofe took to

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FSM launches first Citizens Budget

A first-of-its-kind Citizens Budget has been launched in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). FSM’s Department of Finance and Administration (DOFA) in a statement today said the National Government Fiscal

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Nauru Airlines upgrades its fleet

Nauru Airlines has upgraded its fleet with a new 189-seat passenger aircraft. The blessing of the aircraft took place last week at the airline’s hangar in Brisbane, conducted by Rev David Deluckner, who is also a

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Fiji Business Briefs: NRL trophy, Vatuvara Foundation, VIL director resigns, FMF results

The NRL trophy visits Fiji Fiji Airways Premium Lounge at Nadi International Airport hosted the prestigious NRL Provan-Summons Trophy last week, the first time it had travelled outside Australia. Fiji Airways CEO Andre

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Regional tuna expert sounds caution in developing seabed mining

Leading Pacific tuna industry expert, Dr Transform Aqorau, has drawn from the region’s experiences with its massive tuna fisheries industry to sound caution in the development of the “next frontier” of deep seabed

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ANZ anticipates Fiji population growth as overseas migration slows

Fiji is poised to witness an increase in labour force expansion and economic activity, starting in 2025, due to changes in trends in international migration, says the ANZ Bank. A new report from ANZ Research projects a

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USP students with big dreams

Hundreds of students from around the region this week filled the Australia Pacific Lecture Theatre at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Campus, with much eagerness to further their studies. Every year,

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PNG vote of no confidence not entertained

The Papua New Guinea Parliamentary Private Business Committee (PBC) has denied the notice of the motion of the Vote-of-No-Confidence. In advising Parliament, Acting Speaker Koni Iguan said, “The PBC deliberated on the

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Cook Islands Parliament makes changes to seabed mining law

The Cook Islands has made amendments to its Seabed Minerals Act this week, including replacing the term “mining” with “minerals harvesting … to reflect the actual activity that takes

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Vanuatu referendum seeks to instill stability after revolving-door governments

An upcoming referendum in Vanuatu to outlaw political-party hopping by legislators has sparked lively debate in the Pacific island country, which has faced three changes of government in the past year. Dissatisfaction

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Fiji, Samoa and Tonga all options for future NSW Cup NRL

The NSW Rugby League has set their sights on fielding teams from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in their main competition as part of the game’s push into the Pacific. The code’s Pacific expansion remains a key

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Palau Development Bank pushes for deposit-taking license to fill funding gap

The National Development Bank of Palau (NDBP) is seeking to expand its role in the island nation’s financial system by offering deposit services and potentially issuing savings bonds.  This move aims to address a

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‘Ball is in PM’s court’: Tonga’s former attorney general says communication is key

A former Attorney General of Tonga says there’s still a chance to resolve matters between the two main authorities in Tonga.  ‘Aminiasi Kefu was the acting Attorney General of Tonga from 2014 to 2019.  His

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Continue aviation fuel supply, PNG court tells fuel supplier Puma Energy 

Papua New Guinea National Court has ordered Puma Energy to continue supplying aviation fuel to Air Niugini until 27 February as per their agreement, describing the fuel supply issue as of national importance.  Judge

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Clashes between pro-independence protesters, police as three French ministers visit New Caledonia

Militants and protesters clashed with police in downtown Nouméa on Wednesday as New Caledonia plays host to three French government ministers this week.  The crowd – an estimated 2,000 according to

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Mobil will supply fuel in PNG: Managing director 

Fuel supplier Mobil Oil New Guinea Limited is committed to supplying fuel to the country during the current fuel crisis, says ExxonMobil PNG managing director Tera Shandro.  “For the past 102 years, an ExxonMobil

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Kiribati’s government not responsible for viral post, sorry

It was too good to be true. The government of Kiribati on Wednesday said it was not responsible for a light-hearted social media smackdown that went viral, prompting laughs around the world.   Earlier this week,

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“Palauans First” Campaign reboots: President Whipps seeks second term

In a rally echoing his “Palauans First” campaign slogan, President Surangel Whipps Jr officially launched his re-election bid on 11 February, becoming the first candidate to declare for the November 2024 general

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Japan’s minister chides utility president over radioactive water leak at Fukushima plant

Japan’s industry minister summoned the president of the utility that runs the Fukushima nuclear power plant to his office Wednesday and chided him for a radioactive water leak at the plant earlier this

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