Australia Goes Full Throttle To Stop China’s Advance Into The Pacific; PNG, Vanuatu Setbacks Test Canberra

Australia was expected to sign a landmark security deal with Papua New Guinea (PNG) that could have paved the way for closer integration between their militaries. However, both nations failed to sign any pact. The deal was part of a wider...

Vanuatu Opposition leader Regenvanu urges PM not to increase allowances

Vanuatu Opposition bloc is appealing to the Prime Minister not to implement the Council of Ministers’ decision to increase housing allowances for government ministers and increase salaries of first political advisers. Leader of Opposition, Ralph...

Deadly Greta crash class action includes jailed driver, bus company

New defendants, including the driver and coach company, have been added to a class action seeking compensation for survivors and others impacted by the 2023 Hunter Valley bus crash that killed 10 people. The action, against Transport for New South...

World Bank appoints Fraeters as division director for PNG

THE World Bank has appointed Han Fraeters as its division director for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, as of Sept 16. The appointment of a director based in Port Moresby reflects the World Bank’s commitment to moving bank...

World Bank appoints new director for PNG, Solomons

The World Bank has announced the appointment of Han Fraeters as the World Bank’s Division Director for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, effective September 16, 2025. New Port Moresby based position to deepen partnership and...

Building farmer-to-farmer capacity for resilience in Vanuatu

Vanuatu has joined a growing regional network of farmer-led training initiatives aimed at enhancing food security and resilience. This week, 25 lead farmers, farm advisors, and technical officers from Vanuatu’s Department of Agriculture and Rural...

‘Trade is better than aid’: Australian investors make sweet returns in the Pacific

Private Australian finance is creating jobs for more than 1000 Solomon Islands workers through a major social enterprise that produces coconut and cocoa-based products that are sold locally and back in Australia. Kokonut Pacific SI turns 21 this...

Live: Vanuatu says Australia's 2035 emissions target 'worrying'

10m agoThu 18 Sep 2025 at 11:10pm Bowen leaves the door open to changes on old-growth logging Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has left the door open to phasing back old-growth logging. The Climate Change Authority says ending old-growth...

Vanuatu official says they are training Africans in AI to solve economic and social problems

Prof Hugh Keku Aryee – Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana. Prof Hugh Keku Aryee, Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, says the Commission is training a new generation of Africans in artificial intelligence to use technology in solving...

Vanuatu investigates citizenship applicants as Syrian’s approval is revoked

The head of Vanuatu’s Citizenship Commission says a Syrian national had his approval for citizenship revoked, and others are being investigated over concerns that international criminals are buying Vanuatu passports. It comes after The Guardian...

Australian Foreign Minister Wong pledges to engage with Vanuatu over security pact

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia will meet Vanuatu halfway and address any concerns in a security pact between the two nations. Vanuatu’s new prime minister Sato Kilman said he believed the already signed pact would need to be reworked...

Vanuatu Trade Commissioner urges religious communities to care, protect God’s Creation 

By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi Accra, Sept. 15, GNA – Prof Hugh Keku Aryee, Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, has called on religious communities, especially the Christian communities, to be faithful Stewards of God’s Creation, who care and protect it....

World Bank Appoints New Division Director For Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, And Vanuatu

Press Release – World Bank New Port Moresby based position to deepen partnership and accelerate development results. The World Bank has announced the appointment of Han Fraeters as the World Bank’s Division Director for Papua New Guinea, Solomon...

Pacific Island Forum leaders brief bank on vision

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been briefed by Pacific Islands Forum leaders about the need for a shared vision of development for the region. ADB president Masato Kanda outlined in turn outlined to them key changes in how ADB partners with...

'Groceries cheaper here': Sydney's financial gap year exodus

Sydney schoolteacher Hayley Reynolds always wanted to work overseas, but it was never meant to be long-term. After moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2020, the 38-year-old initially envisaged a two-year adventure of travel and living in a new...

You Only Have Until 11PM Tonight to Score Virgin Australia Flights to Bali, Fiji, Vanuatu and More from $419 Return

If September weather still isn't hitting compared to a tropical holiday, then maybe it's time to book a short-haul flight with Virgin Australia's happy hour sale. From now until 11pm today (AEST), score international flights for as little as $419...

We train Africans in AI to solve economic, social problems – Vanuatu Trade Commissioner  

By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi Accra, Sept. 16, GNA – Prof Hugh Keku Aryee, Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, says the Commission is training a new generation of Africans in artificial intelligence to use technology in solving environmental, economic...

Businesses request Yunus for LDC deferment to 2032

Leaders of the country's top 16 business chambers and trade bodies requested Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to defer the LDC graduation for six more years considering the current situation of the economy. At present, there are some risks of...

Australian politicians to see aid in action amid health challenges and economic and climate pressures in Laos

A group of Australian parliamentarians has arrived in Laos to see first-hand how Australian-funded programs are helping communities adapt to health and development challenges. Hon Kate Thwaites MP, Andrew Wallace MP, Dai Le MP, Jodie Belyea MP and...

How two Utah companies became critical to international shipping overnight

In late July, an executive order from President Donald Trump sent the global postal world scrambling when he scrapped a 1938 law that allowed customers to skip paying import fees on packages valued under $800. With about a month’s warning, dozens...