by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer There is suspicion that a fungus is responsible for the extensive loss of native trees in Palau over the last three years. The uduiud tree, a species unique to Palau with significant cultural importance, has been particularly affected.According to the Island Times, the suspected fungus is believed to be of…
Richard Sanders, Staff writer Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele meets with NZ Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Today, the governments of New Zealand and Australia formally transferred the newly upgraded Seghe Airfield to the Solomon Islands government, aiming to enhance connectivity across the country’s regions. The project, which cost nearly $55 million, was a collaborative effort…
Richard Masere, the Minister of Administrative Services in Papua New Guinea, has announced that there will be a seven-day extension, referred to as a “mop-up exercise,” following the completion of the census count. Originally scheduled to conclude on Sunday, the census has faced various challenges. According to a report in The National newspaper on Friday,…
Luke Allen Military Political Analyst Makati, Manila lukeallenmanila@journalist.com Tokyo, Japan Japan has committed to providing weather data to Pacific islands in a landmark initiative of profound significance. This significant endeavor will be officially announced during the 10th Summit of Pacific Islands, which will take place from July 16 to 18 in Tokyo The summit, which…
There has been a significant development in Fiji’s political landscape with the deregistration of FijiFirst, the country’s largest political party in Parliament. The deregistration decision was made by the registrar of political parties, Ana Mataiciwa, in accordance with the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding & Disclosures) Act 2013. FijiFirst has been given 14 days to…
In a significant development marking the end of one of the longest-standing industrial disputes in Fiji’s history, a settlement has been reached at the Vatukoula Gold Mine. This ended a strike that began on 25 February 1991 involving 365 workers. The strike was primarily driven by longstanding grievances related to working conditions, wages, benefits, and…
Solomon Airlines will commence a weekly round trip flight from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo island in Vanuatu starting on 4 July. This new flight route is seen as a crucial direct link between Australia and Vanuatu, especially after Air Vanuatu ceased operations in May due to voluntary liquidation, resulting in the suspension of all flights….
by Ned Repia, Staff Writer New Zealand’s colorful Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a high-level political delegation to Solomon Islands, Nauru, and Niue starting next Monday. Peters stated that critical regional issues, including the unrest in New Caledonia, will be discussed during the visit.Winston will also be having more than a few drinks with…
by Richard Sanders, Associate Editor The French Ambassador to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands has dismissed assertions of a military operation in New Caledonia, stating that reports and misinformation depicting the unrest as a conflict between communities oversimplify and distort the truth. In early June, the Malvatumauri, Vanuatu’s Council of Chiefs, organized a protest outside the…
by Richard Sanders, Associate Editor A Fijian economist has highlighted that around three percent of Fiji’s population has emigrated due to various challenges facing the country, such as inflation, unemployment, high living costs, labor shortages, and government debt. These issues are compounded by a growing drug crisis. Many skilled and semi-skilled workers are leaving for…