Forum Secretariat told to step up: Forum Chair
Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he wants to leave the Forum in a better place for the incoming Chair to build upon further. In his remarks at the Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific aid to enforce climate, gender equality targets
Australia will push to create local employment and boost the domestic economies of its Pacific island neighbours while keeping an eye on climate change and gender equality. The latest international development policy is
Tonga and Solomon Islands make bid for WHO Regional Director post
Tonga and Solomon Islands have nominated medical experts for the position of World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific. Tonga has nominated Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, and Solomon Islands has
Japan to start Fukushima water release as early as late August
Japan plans to start releasing treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean as soon as late August, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported on Monday, citing unnamed
Guam Defence system could require 1,000 acres, 700 soldiers
Some 2,000 acres of land, most of it on Department of Defence property, is being analysed for the construction of a new 360-degree missile defence system, DOD officials told members of the Guam media last week. As many
Samoa Electronic voting in place next year
The Office of the Samoa Electoral Commission is in the process of procuring an upgraded e-roll biometric system worth $1.129 million tala(US$412,000) which can immediately verify and confirm voters. The budget
Vanuatu cabinet reshuffle
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau has made a cabinet reshuffle. MP for Santo Rural Samson Samsen has been appointed new Minister for Trade. Matai Seremaiah is now Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime
Strong message for Manu Samoa as RWC squad named
Manu Samoa’s 32 players for the Rugby World Cup in France were announced on Sunday and with that a strong message was given to the captains by Lakapi Samoa chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Tuilaepa told the
Nauru Airlines eyes growth in the Pacific as carrier launches new freighter plane
Brisbane-based Nauru Airlines has marked the beginning of a new chapter as a growing freight carrier with the addition of Australia’s first Boeing 737-800F to its fleet. Although the airline is headquartered on
How officials bought luxury ‘government’ cars with funding for victims of U.S. nuclear testing
The hydrogen bomb exploded at 6.45am, vaporising three islands in a fireball four-and-a-half miles wide and sending a tower of radioactive debris high into the atmosphere. At 15 megatons, the Castle Bravo device –
Flying Fijians win Pacific Nations Cup
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians claimed their third consecutive Pacific Nations Cup, beating Japan 35 – 12 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Japan last night. In doing so Fiji is also taking home the Lipovitan
Nautilus to return to PNG
Papua New Guinea Mining Minister Sir Ano Pala told Parliament Nautilus was coming back to Papua New Guinea but under a different entity to operate as they had three exploration licenses still valid. Sir Ano said the
Diplomat says ‘fully-fledged’ embassy in Samoa will offer Paris greater clout
A French diplomat says having an embassy in Samoa will enable France to play a more central role on issues that arise in the Pacific, such as security and climate change. French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans
Fiji government launches ‘Citizen’s budget’
Orgs call for action on price gouging Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, says the new budget has been meticulously constructed to lay the groundwork for long-term progress.
Fiji, Tonga progress at Netball World Cup
The Fiji Pearls today suffered a heavy defeat of 28-89 against the England Roses in their fifth Netball World Cup match in Cape Town, South Africa. The Pearls missed out on numerous opportunities as their opponents came
BSP cuts ties with PNG fuel supplier Puma
BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) has cut ties with Puma Energy, according to Papua New Guinea Petroleum and Energy Minister Kerenga Kua. According to Minister Kua, the action by BSP is independent of the Government and
Survey reveals F$2.09 billion in Fiji tourism earnings in 2022
Fiji’s tourism industry earned a total of $FJ2.09 billion (US$1.045 billion) between April and December last year, according to new survey results released this week. The Fiji 2022 Annual International Visitor Survey
Marshall Islands end U.S. Compact hold-out
When an 11th hour appeal for more nuclear test compensation by Marshall Islands leaders fell flat in the United States Congress in mid-July, the government endorsed a stalled funding agreement ending a seven-month
Former Vanuatu Ambassador to EU calls for body to screen passport applicants
While wishing the Vanuatu Government the best 43rd Independence Anniversary, the first former Ambassador to Africa Caribbean Pacific (ACP) countries in the European Union (EU) from 2007-2018, Roy Mickey Joy is urging
What is your fear on independence for Bougainville: President Toroama
Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama has called on Prime Minister James Marape to spell out clearly and honestly his fears about Bougainville obtaining Independence from Papua New Guinea. Toroama made the call based
Fiji Pearls loses match against Malawi
The Fiji Pearls yesterday went down to the Malawi Queens 62-48 in the second pool phase of the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa. Despite the Pearls initially taking the lead in the first few minutes, their
PNG, Fiji, Tonga participate in large-scale military exercise in Australia
This year’s military exercise in Australia marked the first-time participation from countries as far away as Germany and by South Pacific countries including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga. For the next week,
U.S. Ambassador Kennedy arrives in Honiara
United States Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy has arrived in Honiara Monday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the sinking of President Kennedy’s Patrol Torpedo Boat and his rescue by Solomon Islands