PINA

Papua New Guinea Member for Kairuku Peter Isoaimo was sworn in as new as Minister for Energy. He takes over from Kerema MP Thomas Opa, who has now moved to take on the Finance Ministry. Wapenamanda MP Miki Kaeok will now assume the Transport Ministry, which was left vacant by Walter Schnaubelt, who took up the Governor's seat in New Ireland...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will prioritise food and nutrition security for its 69 member countries, pledging an additional USD$26 billion for the next four years. This is in addition to US$14 billion first committed in 2022 until 2025. Of that amount, USD$11 billion has already been delivered to member countries. ADB recognises that the food and agriculture sector offer enormous...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is likely to work more closely with centre-left governments in Britain and Canada, as well as other democratic allies, after a resounding election win strengthened his hand in dealing with the U.S, analysts said. Albanese's Labor Party rode a voter backlash against the policies of U.S President Donald Trump to a come-from-behind victory that expanded...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has congratulated Anthony Albanese for his re-election as Australia’s Prime Minister. Albanese’s Labor stormed home to victory in a landslide, winning a swathe of seats across multiple states and unseating Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in his own electorate in the process. Expanding on its majority in the House of Representatives, Labor claimed 87 seats, while the...

Solomon Islands Member of Parliament for South Vella La Vella and Party Leader of Solomon Islands People’s First Party Frederick Kologeto was officially sworn in on Sunday as the new Deputy Prime Minister (DPM). The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Government House in Honiara. He replaced Bradley Tovosia. Also sworn in was Cathy Nori, MP for Maringe/Kokota, who takes up the...

New Caledonia last week imposed a 50-year ban on deep-sea mining across its entire maritime zone – a rare and sweeping move that places the French Pacific territory among the most restrictive in the… The law blocks all commercial exploration, prospecting and mining of mineral resources within New Caledonia's exclusive economic zone – an area of 1.3 million square kilometres. Only...

Moana Pasifika's season is well and truly alive following an high-scoring shootout with the Highlanders - the 34-29 victory seeing Tana Umaga's side defeat the Dunedin franchise for the first time ever. The result sees the Pasifika side claim their fifth win of the year, and climb over the likes of the Blues, Waratahs and Western Force into Super Rugby...

Tate McDermott is challenging his Queensland Reds to man up physically after having their Super Rugby Pacific finals ambitions dented in a thrilling try-fest in Suva. The last-placed Fijian Drua continue to play the competition spoilers, pipping the Reds 36-33 with a last-gasp winner on Saturday. The Reds were a minute away from notching an elusive first win in the Fijian...

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...