Australia pays controversial Chinese company millions for Nauru’s new port
Amid intensifying competition in the region, Australia is bankrolling a Chinese government-backed construction company with a chequered history to build Nauru’s new port. In January, the Chinese Communist Party’s
Solomon Islands: No clear winner as lobbying to form next government intensifies
Lobbying to form Solomon Islands’ next government is intensifying. With only four more seats in the 50-member parliament yet to be officially declared, there is no outright winner. As of Monday, the two
Saipan casino buried in $165m debt but hoping to regroup and resume business
Succumbing to the pressures from its creditors, Imperial Pacific International has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S District Court for the CNMI, reporting debts totaling of US$165.8 million. Before the
Former PNG PM O’Neill cleared of UBS loan allegations
The Papua New Guinea National Court in Waigani on Friday closed criminal proceedings against Ialibu-Pangia MP and former prime minister Peter O’Neill regarding the K3billion (US$790 million) UBS loan saga for lack of
Baron Waqa negotiating – No start date for incoming Pacific Islands Forum boss yet
The incoming head of the Pacific region’s main political body is yet to sign his contract, almost six months after the 2023 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders meeting in Rarotonga. Former Nauru president, Baron
Sogavare returns for his 7th term
Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been re-elected for his seventh tenure as the Member of Parliament for East Choiseul. The four-time Prime Minister secured his seventh parliamentary election by a total
Voter turnout reaches 50 percent, over 80 percent of seats declared
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has reported a 50 percent voter turnout so far, with the ongoing counting in Honiara. In response to SIBC’s request for updates on the voter turnout, Chief Electoral
Micronesia: Prolonged drought now impacting food and water across region
Extreme droughts in the Western Pacific region are expected to persist over the next three months. Parts of the Marshall Islands, Guam, Palau, Mariana Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) are now
Samoa declares a dengue fever outbreak
After a total of 216 confirmed cases of dengue fever since November last year, the Ministry of Health, Thursday, declared a dengue fever outbreak in Samoa. Director General of Health Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma said the
More than half of Solomon Islands election results in as counting continues
More than 60 percent of the national results of the Solomon Islands election are now in. So far, two female MPs have been elected and three former prime ministers may be in the running for the top job. Counting is still
As protests grow in New Caledonia, Australia backs France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
As the French National Assembly and Senate debate changes to New Caledonia’s electoral laws, there are protests in the streets of Noumea. On Saturday 13 April, tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of
Suva crowd delivers despite uneven Drua results
The atmosphere was electric as the Fijian Drua teams showcased their talent in front of a sell out crowd at the HFC Stadium in Suva yesterday. As soon as the gates opened at 3pm, crowds flocked to the ground in numbers.
PetroChina enters PNG’s hydrocarbon industry
Prime Minister James Marape announced that Papua New Guinea continues to be a prime destination for business ventures, highlighted by PetroChina International Co. Ltd’s recent entry into the nation’s hydrocarbon
Tendered ballot papers used in Wednesday’s Joint Election
More than one hundred tendered ballot papers were issued to voters by some Presiding Officers during Wednesday’s election across the country. Chief Electoral Officer Jasper Highwood Anisi confirmed this during the
Scammers use fake Cook Islands resort to lure overseas job seekers
International scammers have created a fake Cook Islands resort to lure people looking for jobs in the tourism industry. They deceive victims into paying an upfront fee of at least $280 (US$165.90). Cook Islands News
Government insists on value of crypto bill despite criticism
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in Cook Islands has hit back at the critics of the draft Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill 2023, saying the media did not highlight positive aspects of the Bill. The Bill,
State company exports first LNG shipment
An historical moment, state-owned Petroleum company exports its first LNG shipment, bound for China. KPHL Managing Director Wapu Sonk said this is the access volume from its shareholding in the PNG LNG Project.
Samoa on the brink of declaring a dengue outbreak
Samoa is on the brink of declaring a dengue fever outbreak should the latest situational report from health expected by the end of the week show a continuous increase in the disease. The Director General of Health,
‘The right person’: What did Solomon Islanders vote for? SIEC declares first three results
‘The right person’: What did Solomon Islanders vote for? After a relatively well-organised and peaceful day of voting in Solomon Islands, the electoral commission is working with donor partners to safely
Growth of 3.3 percent Expected in Papua New Guinea in 2024, 4.6 percent in 2025 — ADB
The economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is expected to improve in 2024 and 2025, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024, ADB’s flagship economic publication. The positive outlook is driven by
Suspended Aust-born judge can’t be deported
A Kiribati court has ruled that a High Court judge in the Pacific Island nation who has been suspended by the president cannot be deported to Australia where he was born until parliament considers the findings of a
Pacific nation hosts its biggest-ever election day
Ballots are due to be cast in one of the Pacific’s largest elections as Solomon Islanders, from the city to remote villages, choose their next national leaders. About 350,000 people are due to vote across 50 seats
Voters must re-register to participate in 2026 Samoa General Elections
All eligible voters in Samoa including Samoa’s diaspora must register or re-register to vote in the next general elections in 2026. Savali News reported the Office of the Electoral Commissioner is already on the
