PINA

The constitutional hearing regarding the case challenging the President of the Republic of Vanuatu over allegations of a conflict of interest in signing the dissolution instrument on 18 November concluded Tuesday after a lengthy nine-hour debate. Chief Justice (CJ) Vincent Lunabek, who presided over the hearing, emphasised at the outset that the case was not urgent but rather a constitutional...

Pacific island nations at the centre of a strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China that brought infrastructure and funding hope President-elect Donald Trump stays engaged in the region but are wary of competition spilling into confrontation, diplomats say. A 2023 defence deal giving the U.S military access to ports and airfields across Papua New Guinea came with a pledge...

By Lopeti Senituli In a highly anticipated session of the Tongan parliament to debate and vote on the second vote of no confidence (VONC) scheduled for Monday 9th December, in Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku and the Cabinet, Hu’akavameiliku surprised everyone by announcing his resignation even before the actual debate had begun. The session began with the Speaker, Lord...

The Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) has delivered a sharp critique of historical polluters during the landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) climate hearings in The Hague, accusing them of shirking legal accountability for the climate crisis. Cristelle Pratt, Assistant Secretary-General for Environment and Climate Action at OACPS, said the testimony from the bloc’s members highlighted grave...

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, has officially invited elected representatives to submit nominations for a Prime Minister designate following the resignation of Siaosi Sovaleni on Monday. Nominations are now open and must be submitted to the Speaker’s Office by 4:30pm on Monday, 23 December 2024. Lord Fakafanua emphasised the importance of compliance with the constitutional requirements,...

A co-ordination and training centre for Pacific Island police has been opened as Australia seeks to counter China's growing security influence in the region. The Pinkenba Hub in Brisbane will act as a central base for deployments of Pacific police when countries request help for major events or crises. More than 200 officers have already passed through the nearby training centre...

By Katy Watson "They look like chocolate truffles, just don't eat them," jokes Jean Mason, the curator of the Cook Islands Library and Museum as she reaches into a display cabinet and pulls out a black, knobbly rock. The “rock” she is holding may well determine the future of this Pacific nation. It is what scientists call a polymetallic nodule, created...

On Monday, USA Swimming confirmed that the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Centre in the city of Irvine, California, will host the 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, which will bring together the best swimmers from Pacific countries and serve as a preview of the LA28 Olympic Games. The event, to be held from 12-15 August 2026 in its pool phase, will...

Two nobles have resigned following Monday's sudden resignation of Tonga's Prime Minister, Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni. Speaking at a press conference in Nuku'alofa, caretaker Prime Minister, Samiu Vaipulu confirmed three Ministers have now resigned; Lord Fohe who is the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests, Lord Vaea, Minister for Internal Affairs and Lord Tu'i'afitu, Minister of Lands who resigned last month. The...

The Australian Federal Police (AFP), together with Pacific Police Chiefs, have officially launched two key state-of-the-art training and development facilities in Queensland, as part of the Pacific Policing Initiative’s (PPI) commitment to supporting law enforcement across the region. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus officially opened the PPI Development and Coordination Pinkenba Hub and nearby Pinkenba Training Centre...