French criticism of nuclear ban treaty highlights Canberra’s dilemma
Can Australia rebuild a strategic military partnership with France at the same time as independence movements claim Pacific support? On 28 September, the Assembly of French Polynesia unanimously passed a resolution
Vanuatu PM Kilman no longer commands majority
Power transitioned from the Vanuatu Government to the Opposition in Parliament during the Fifth Extraordinary Session convened to debate the motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Sato Kilman, Monday. The
Labour mobility a ‘double-edged word’: Samoa Chamber of Commerce President Seulupe
Samoa’s private sector members are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and are unable to take on the added expense of a minimum wage increase while navigating multiple challenges. That is the view of
U.S. groping for contingency plan amid expiration of COFA’s economic provisions
The U.S. economic provisions for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Marshall Islands under the Compacts of Free Association expired on 30 September without being renewed as the U.S. Congress continued to
Tuvalu, Kiribati climate migrants ‘need immigration pathway’
Immigration reforms are urgently needed to create a pathway for climate migration to Aotearoa New Zealand from the low-lying atoll countries of Tuvalu and Kiribati, a researcher says. “There are currently no formal
Australia says it has no duty to asylum seekers in PNG
The Australian government says it is not responsible for 70 asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea who have been evicted from temporary accommodation. The asylum seekers have been in limbo since the 2017 closure of the
History three-peats itself as Cleary masterclass guides Panthers to glory
Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has produced the finest performance of his career to lead the premiers to a remarkable 26-24 triumph over the Broncos in an epic decider at Accor Stadium. Trailing by 16 points after an
‘Thankful’ Fiji edge Georgia to push Australia toward Rugby World Cup exit
Anxious and error-prone Fiji fought back to beat fading Georgia 17-12 on Saturday and remain on course for the World Cup quarter-finals, pushing Australia to the brink of elimination. Fiji scored two second-half tries
Springboks beat feisty Tonga 49-18 as they await knockout fate
Defending champions South Africa scored seven tries and moved a step closer to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a bruising 49-18 victory over impressive Tonga in their Pool B clash on Sunday. Many of the 60,387
Nauru Airlines set to secure U.S. foreign air carrier permit
Nauru Airlines has tentatively secured a foreign air carrier permit from the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT), allowing it to operate scheduled passenger and cargo flights between Nauru and Guam
U.S. weighs stationing Patriot air defence systems in Palau
The U.S. and Palau are discussing the permanent deployment of advanced missile defense systems in the Pacific island nation, Palau President Surangel Whipps said part of Washington’s efforts to check China’s
Fiji National Provident Fund acquires popular Garden City Complex
Fiji’s National Provident Fund has acquired the popular Garden City complex at Carpenter Street in Raiwai. The property, which sits on a freehold land area of 3 acres and 1.7 perches, is located just 2.5
Unprecedented victory for FLNKS in French Senate race
In a major electoral upset, Kanak independence politician Robert Xowie has won one of New Caledonia’s two seats in the French Senate in Paris. His second-round electoral victory over Loyalist leader Sonia Backès came
Federal programmes in Guam facing uncertainties amid looming shutdowns
Federally funded programmes on Guam are facing uncertainties as the U.S. government heads toward a shutdown that will disrupt many services nationwide by 01 October. “At this point there are no real clarifications of
Hundreds of tourists stranded as Air Vanuatu cancels flights
Hundreds of tourists have been stranded after Air Vanuatu cancelled a week’s worth of flights right as school holidays kicked off in New Zealand and Australia. The airline’s only Boeing 737 aircraft – which
Ok Tedi life extension approved
The OK Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) in Papua New Guinea has had its mine life extension approved from 2023 to 2050, with an expected dividends payments in excess of K30 billion (US$8.2 billion), says chief executive
WHO: Pacific islands facing a bumpy road toward the ‘Healthy Islands’ vision
Pacific island states and territories may have emerged from the worst days of the Covid-19 pandemic, but they must also brace for other disease outbreaks and climate-related disasters in the future, according to the
RWC 2023: Wales conquers Wallabies, Samoa go down to Argentina
The Wallabies are set to make their earliest exit in Rugby World Cup history after a humiliating 40-6 loss to Wales in Lyon. Never before have the Wallabies been bundled out of the tournament in the pool stage, but
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu to miss Pacific leaders’ meeting with President Biden
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has declined a White House invitation to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at this week’s Pacific leaders’ summit. In a move that will further stoke
Tuvalu Parliament unanimously approves new amended Constitution
Tuvalu’s Parliament has unanimously approved the proposed Constitution of Tuvalu Bill 2023 – endorsing 26 amendments proposed by the Parliamentary Review Committee led by former foreign affairs minister, Simon
WHO Western Pacific candidates vow to rebuild staff trust
Candidates vying for the regional director position at the World Health Organisation Western Pacific regional office fielded member states’ questions in a unique online public forum meant to gauge their priorities and
FSM becomes first country to sign oceans treaty
The Federated States of Micronesia has signed a global treaty that aim to protect oceans that lie beyond national boundaries, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The new Biodiversity of Areas beyond
Conference to address sustainable infrastructure for the Pacific
An upcoming conference will be looking into the future of getting better quality infrastructure for Pacific Island countries. Organised by the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council (APIBC) in collaboration with the
