Australia PM Albanese calls national election for 03 May
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday called a national election for 03 May, launching a five-week campaign that is set to be dominated by cost-of-living pressures. Albanese’s Labor party won a
Briefs
American Samoa The American Senate has unanimously passed a bill removing the 10% cap on local investments by the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund (ASGERF). Supporters argue it will strengthen the
Wasted millions: $8.3 million Tongiaki catamaran no longer serves Tonga, review finds
A vessel once celebrated for its speed and preferred as an alternative to air transport in Tonga has been revealed to be non-operational, barely five years after its launch. The Minister of Public Enterprises Piveni
Solomon Islands Opposition leader Wale calls for halt of proposed mining on San Jorge
Solomon Islands leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has called on the Minister of Mines & Energy to halt the proposed granting of a mining license to Far East Resources Company Ltd for nickel mining on San Jorge.
PNG Government confirms successful test of Facebook controls system
It seems the Papua New Guinea Government has now begun steps towards implementing system controls of Facebook and its use through mobile operators and the ICT industry regulator. Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr,
Vanuatu PM instructs review of Capital Investment Immigration Plan funds
Vanuatu Prime Minister has instructed the Citizenship Commission to identify where funds generated under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) are held or have been invested. The Citizenship-by-Investment
Vanuatu Capital Investment Immigration Plan Programme suspended
The Vanuatu Government, through the Citizenship Commission, has suspended all new applications under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) until further notice. This has been confirmed by the newly appointed
Fiji urged to accelerate BBNJ ratification
Regional partners are calling on Fiji to speed up its ratification of the BBNJ Agreement as other countries move forward with their commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The BBNJ
Vanuatu Government cancels fraudulently acquired passports of Chinese nationals
The Vanuatu government, through the Department of Immigration and Passport Services (DoIPS), has cancelled the Vanuatu passports of three Chinese nationals for fraudulently obtaining them. Huang Bo, Liu Hong, and Tang
Pacific governments warned of ‘threat’ from Cambodia’s Prince Group
The governments of Taiwan and Palau have both been warned that offers of investment from the Cambodian conglomerate Prince Group represent threats to each nation’s security and sovereignty. Briefings to the president
Vanuatu Disaster victims still waiting for promised cash relief
The digital cash transfer programme, initially promised by the Vanuatu government to assist disaster victims after Tropical Cyclones (TCs) Judy and Kevin, stalled as affected households await updates on its
Fiji launches National E-Commerce Strategy 2025-2029: A step towards a digital future
The Fiji Government has officially launched the National E-Commerce Strategy 2025-2029, aimed at transforming Fiji’s economy by embracing digital trade. In his keynote address, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
Vanuatu PM cancels Lalit Modi’s new passport
Fugitive billionaire Lalit Modi’s troubles deepened on Monday after the Prime Minister of Pacific Island nation Vanuatu, Jotham Napat, ordered cancellation of the passport that his government had issued to Modi
Cook Islands: Mangaia residents turn to land and sea amidst shipping delays
The residents of a Southern Group Island continue to endure ongoing hardships due to inconsistent shipping, driving up costs and forcing reliance on subsistence living, while awaiting government-promised shipping
Tongan airline Lulutai seeking $7 million subsidy
The Tongan government is assessing the possibility of ceasing Lulutai Airlines services due to its inability to meet financial obligations, the Minister for Public Enterprises says. The news follows serious
Kangava community demands justice for 2019 oil spill
The customary landowners of Kangava Bay in the Solomon Islands have filed a claim with the Solomon Islands High Court for damages caused by a 2019 oil spill, the worst of its kind in the nation. The claim was filed
New Zealand’s strange diplomatic stoush with Kiribati
The squabbles between New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters and heads of government in Kiribati and the Cook Islands have been denounced by some as neo-colonial grandstanding but welcomed by others as
We say: It’s time to stop the rot
Five years ago, Pacific leaders recognised the worrying levels of corruption which existed throughout the region. To manifest their concern, the Teieniwa Vision was signed as a commitment towards rooting out systemic
Samoa PM Fiame Mata’fa commands majority, vote of no-confidence fails
The vote of no confidence to unseat Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and her cabinet failed when the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday voted with 34 members opposing the motion and 15 for it. It
Napat: ‘Donors must work our way or take their money back’
Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat has voiced frustration over the lengthy procedures involved in accessing donor funds meant to assist Vanuatu, stating that such delays delay effective recovery and development
Samoa’s embattled Prime Minister faces court action to have her removed
Samoa Opposition Leader and head of the Human Rights Protection Party, Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi has gone to the Supreme Court to get Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to step down on the grounds that she
Cook Islands secures $4 million ‘one off’ grant form China for future grants
Cook Islands will receive a “one off grant” of approximately $4 million (US$2.29 million) from China, following the signing of the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last week.
Cook Islands opposition files no-confidence motion against PM Mark Brown, Cook Islands-China deal details to be revealed ‘in the coming days’ – Mark Brown
A vote of no confidence motion has been filed against the Prime Minister and his Cabinet following the recent fiasco involving the now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the comprehensive strategic partnership
