Pacific News In Brief For 16 October

Article – RNZ A round-up of news from around the region, including 32 political parties in PNG put on notice by the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission. Papua New Guinea – notice Thirty-two political parties in Papua New...

Hekari prepares for Pro-League

From L-R: Head Coach Marcus Gusmao, General Manager Wira Wama and Director Vonnie Kapi Natto taking questions from the media in a press conference this week in Port Moresby. (NBC News: Issac Liri) In about two months, the inaugural Oceania...

McLennan fires Fiji to victory against Vanuatu

Basketball Fiji rep Tyrone McLennan led from the front at the FIBA Melanesian Cup in the Solomon Islands, leading his side to a vital win with an incredible 44-point display against Vanuatu. His shooting masterclass not only powered Fiji to...

57 countries now visa-free for Indians: What it means for travellers

For Indian travellers, the world is gradually opening up. According to the latest Henley Passport Index for 2025, Indian passport holders can now enter 57 countries without a visa in advance — either visa-free, via a visa-on-arrival, or via an...

Pacific women leaders arrive in Port Moresby for tennis workshop

ELEVEN women from across the Pacific have arrived in Port Moresby for the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis initiative that is delivered by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports programme in partnership with Tennis Australia. This is PNG’s...

Why has support for One Nation surged since the election, and will it last?

Liam McPherson comes from a family of One Nation supporters. So when it came time for the 19-year-old to vote for the first time in May's federal election, he said deciding where his vote went was a no-brainer. "I'm pretty happy with what they...

Thousands of students to unite in prayer for IFES World Student Day 2025: 'Heartwarming event amid global division and uncertainty'

Unsplash / MD Duran Students and campus groups are preparing for IFES World Student Day 2025 on Thursday (Oct. 16), which marks the 50th anniversary of the movement’s global prayer days. Organized by the International Fellowship of Evangelical...

Movements afoot as Hekari prepare for Pro-League season

THE Papua New Guinea Hekari Football Club (formerly Hekari United) have set their sights on a top-four finish at their inaugural OFC Pro-League season, scheduled for Jan 10. Club general manager Wira Wama said the franchise’s new name and logo...

Crucial win for Fiji, thriller victory for Papua New Guinea

HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Fiji earned a commanding 123–61 victory over Vanuatu in a must-win matchup, while Papua New Guinea edged New Caledonia 77–74 in a nail-biting finish to stay unbeaten in the tournament. In the opening game, Fiji took...

Labor criticised over worker visa rule backflip that could affect thousands

Unions have savaged the Albanese government after it quietly abandoned weekly hours guarantees for more than 14,000 Pacific workers. The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme (PALM) allows workers from across the region, including Vanuatu, Fiji...

Drunk driver with 'reckless disregard' for safety jailed over fatal crash

A Derby man who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his cousin while driving almost five times over the alcohol limit has been jailed by Western Australia's Supreme Court for seven years. Joash Alec Green, who was 33 at the time of the crash,...

International Travel 13 October

International travel covers the number and characteristics of overseas visitors and New Zealand resident travellers (short-term movements) entering or leaving New Zealand. Key facts Monthly arrivals – overseas visitors Monthly arrivals – New...

Victorian government slammed for 'sham trial' of gambling cards

Victorian councils say the state government's promise to minimise gambling harm is a "missed opportunity" with a landmark trial making loss limits voluntary instead of mandatory. The three-month trial is currently running across 43 venues in the...

Frank Karae embraces the moment in Vanuatu’s FIBA return

HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Half Vanuatuan, half Solomon Islander, Frank Karae is no stranger to Honiara. But this time, he arrived not as a visitor, but as a competitor on an international level. Wearing the Vanuatu jersey, Karae's first game for...

Solomon Islanders Call for Sustainable, Community-Driven Tourism

The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with Tourism Solomons (TSO) and Solomon Islands Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), has released the results of the 2024 Community Attitude Survey (CAS)—the first nationwide study of its...

Fiji men’s basketball team thrashes Vanuatu 123-61 in FIBA Melanesian Cup match

The Fiji men’s basketball team secured a commanding 123-61 victory over Vanuatu at the FIBA Melanesian Cup today. Tyrone McLennan finished the game with a competition-high 44 points, including an impressive seven three-pointers. Speaking during...

Lae and Port Moresby to host 4th MSG Prime Ministers Football Cup

MSG Secretariat Director General Leonard Louma addressing the media (NBC News: Isaac Liri) The fourth edition of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Ministers Football Cup will be hosted in Lae and Port Moresby in November. The draws released...

Up to nine tropical cyclones forecast for Pacific this season

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Meteorologists are predicting five to nine cyclones for the southwest Pacific in the coming season. The official cyclone season for this region runs from November to April. The forecast issued by Earth Sciences New...

PNG host women leaders for pacific women leaders in Tennis workshop

Eleven women from across the Pacific have arrived in Papua New Guinea for the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis initiative. Delivered by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program in partnership with Tennis Australia, the program supports...

Overtime thriller for PNG, Fiji claim first victory

HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia battled it out in the first game of day two. With PNG in the lead at the end of the third quarter, New Caledonia dug deep and made a comeback, forcing PNG to go into overtime with four...