PINA

The increase in salaries for Fiji Members of Parliament will cost $4.1 million (US$2.05 million). This has been confirmed by the Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad. Prasad said the increase in salary for parliamentarians is the first-ever undertaken over eight years, and represents only one percent increment for most ministers or three percent for the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime...

The Pacific Regional and National Security Conference (PRNSC), this week dedicated session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) brought to the forefront the transformative potential of AI and the need for careful governance. Speakers delved into AI’s vast opportunities alongside its inherent risks, particularly for the Pacific Islands and beyond. There was emphasis on the need for sustainable, culturally sensitive, and inclusive approaches. This...

In the heart of the Pacific, where the ocean's waves touch the shores of countless islands, one voice stands out in the call for climate action. Jessie Mule Siga, a dedicated advocate and volunteer with the WWF Pacific Volunteers Programme, speaks with a passion rooted in the very essence of the islands she calls home. “The Pacific Ocean is so special...

Good news for Fiji civil servants around the country as all salary-based civil servants will receive a pay rise of around seven percent to 10 percent while the age earners will get an increment ranging from 10 percent up to 20 percent effective from 01 August 2024. Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad while announcing the 2024-2025 Budget says the...

An unheralded visit to Indonesia’s Papuan provinces by a leading Pacific diplomat has drawn criticism for undermining a push for a United Nations human rights mission to the region where pro-independence insurgents have fought Indonesian rule for decades. The Melanesian Spearhead Group’s (MSG) director-general, Leonard Louma, hasn’t responded to BenarNews’ questions about the brief visit. It occurred just days after...

Fiji’s Magistrates Court in Sigatoka Thursday granted bail to Minister for Fisheries and Forests Kalaveti Ravu who is charged with one count of Abuse of Office. Ravu is charged alongside Ministry of Fisheries and Forests Regional Manager, Tekata Toaisi who faces a one count of aiding and abetting abuse of office. Both appeared before Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou. It is alleged that...

Fiji's leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu has confirmed that there has been no genuine attempt by the FijiFirst Party to amend its Constitution, as required by the Registrar of Political Parties Ana Mataiciwa. Speaking to FijiLive, Seruiratu said: “We have not done anything to amend the Party’s Constitution because the question is ‘Who has the authority to amend the constitution...

By Kalinga Seneviratne Addressing the impact of climate change on oceans and coastal communities requires input from all academic disciplines, an emphasis on collaboration and greater involvement of local communities. The importance of connectivity was foregrounded at the annual meeting of university presidents of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) held at the University of Auckland, New Zealand this week...

The NRL aims to reveal its master plan by the end of the season for a possible 20-team competition, as part of the sport's most radical growth in decades. League bosses met over several hours on Wednesday afternoon in Melbourne, opening the process for expansion over the next 10 years. Consortiums representing possible expansion options will be able to submit expressions...

The Vanuatu footballers have become instant legends after reaching their first ever final of the OFC Men’s Nations Cup after defeating Fiji 2-1 in Thursday’s semi-final at VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila. The hosts will meet New Zealand in the final on Sunday in what will be memorable occasion for this football-mad country Both Fiji and Vanuatu were hoping to...