The leaders collectively expressed disappointment with the appointment process, which overlooked the Micronesian candidate Gerald Zackios.

Two tropical cyclones are active in the southwest Pacific, with forecasts saying New Caledonia will be hit within 24 hours.

American Samoa is today awaiting the arrival of the first group of residents stranded since March in Hawaii and other US states because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Samoa is tightening access further by banning the entry of travellers who might be carrying the new COVID-19 strain.

The first batch of coronavirus vaccines arrived in Palau early on Saturday morning, greeted by the president-elect and health minister.

Fifteen people are missing after a landslide in a remote part of Papua New Guinea’s Central Province.

Police in Papua New Guinea are investigating multiple killings on the Hiritano Highway near the capital Port Moresby.

Papua New Guinea’s political crisis has been thrust into new uncertainty after three MPs tested positive for COVID-19.

Cabinet has agreed to ban the world’s biggest social networking site, Facebook, in Solomon Islands.

A law is being proposed in New Caledonia to broaden access to the medical profession for doctors trained in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.

French Polynesia’s COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the 14th life as the number of patients in hospital has risen to 61.

Papua New Guinea has opened its border to international travel from four more countries.