PINA

On this World Press Freedom Day, we in the Pacific stand together to defend and promote the right to freedom of expression—now facing new and complex challenges in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This year’s global theme is “Reporting a Brave New World: The impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom.” AI is changing the way we gather, share, and consume...

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters has concluded a constructive and positive visit to New Caledonia - New Zealand’s closest geographical neighbour. Peters met the French Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, and the President of the Government of New Caledonia, Alcide Ponga. “We came to listen and learn, and to demonstrate New Zealand’s support for the...

By Ronald Toito’ona In a stunning revelation, former Solomon Islands Finance Minister Manasseh Sogavare has exposed what he calls serious failures in the government’s handling of the country’s mineral wealth—pointing to missing revenues, halted mining licenses, and a leadership unwilling to act. Sogavare was responding to a question from In-depth Solomons about his concerns with former deputy Prime Minister Bradley Tovosia’s...

Australians are voting in record numbers ahead of the federal election on Saturday 03 May, with early voting surging past half a million ballots on the first day alone - 22 April. With over 18 million people enrolled to vote, ABC Australia reports that more than one in five people (22 per cent) have already cast their ballots. Among those encouraging...

A proposal for a four-legged assistance scheme to detect hard drugs is amongst the support sought by local police from the New Zealand Police Commissioner, Sir Richard Chambers, on his visit to Samoa. Sir Chambers is in Samoa for his first visit as the NZ Police Commissioner, but has previously visited the island four times before. He was welcomed in an...

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has indicated that Fiji will not interfere in the matter of Indonesian Sovereignty regarding West Papua. Rabuka last month made an official visit to Indonesia which sparked debate with activists of the Free West Papua Movement. He stated that the matter is for the sovereign state of Indonesia to address. However, he expresses deep sympathy for the people...

Solomon Islands Member of Parliament for Central Honiara Gordon Darcy Lilo has clarified that there is no incentive scheme involved in the current political development in the country. Lilo told the local media Thursday following the formation of the new political grouping that intended to form the next government if a motion he filed against the current Prime Minister is...

A research fellow warns that China will not take a haircut on Tonga’s debt after Beijing took to Facebook to defend its lending practices. Riley Duke from the Lowy Institute's Pacific Aid Map unit highlights China’s firm stance amid rising concerns about Tonga’s substantial debt burden. “We see that in Tonga, as well as other parts of the world,” Duke says....

Niue and Tuvalu’s ability to ensure accurate trade measurements has received a major boost with the official handover of precision test weight sets from Fiji, part of a regional push to strengthen quality infrastructure across the Pacific. “These sets will be instrumental for Metrology Inspectors in Niue and Tuvalu, enabling them to calibrate weighing scales and other equipment with precision,”...

Following a record-breaking Olympic Games Paris 2024, World Rugby has confirmed an evolved HSBC SVNS competition model designed to deliver long-term financial sustainability and grow the global reach of rugby sevens in the lead-up to LA 2028. Shaped through stakeholder consultation and evaluation of the sporting landscape, the new structure introduces a devolved, three-division hosting model that expands the series...