PINA

Vanuatu Finance Minister John Salong has condemned the Opposition’s demands for the Prime Minister’s resignation, labelling them as “irresponsible” and “unwarranted.” The controversy centres around the recent voluntary liquidation of Air Vanuatu (Operations) Limited, a move Minister Salong described as a necessary step to address longstanding issues within the airline. “It is an irresponsible comment from the Opposition, to demand the...

By Nic Maclellan  Despite weeks of rioting and clashes between police and protestors in New Caledonia, French authorities in Noumea decided to proceed with elections for the European Parliament on Sunday, a poll open to all French nationals living in the Pacific dependency. For most New Caledonians, especially indigenous Kanak and other supporters of independence, there was little reason to vote...

Papua New Guinea Opposition has filed its Supreme Court reference Tuesday. They are basically seeking an interpretation of Speaker Job Pomat’s decision on the motion of a vote of no confidence (VoNC). Among the reliefs that they are seeking is for Parliament to be recalled. Opposition leader Douglas Tomuriesa confirmed that Opposition lawyers have filed the case and are hoping the Supreme...

Fiji’s newly commissioned Guardian-class patrol boat, RFNS Puamau, ran aground on a reef at Fulaga Island in the Lau group on Sunday. RFNS Puamau was provided by Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project to enhance maritime security across the Pacific. This vessel is the second of its kind delivered to Fiji, following its sister ship, RFNS Savenaca. The Republic...

Fijiana 15’s coach Moses Rauluni says all they want is a win when they face Japan in their first home Test on Friday evening at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The team is aware of the strength the Japanese side possesses when it comes to the playing field. Rauluni said the Fijiana side are using these Tests to improve their...

Leading figures from the world of Rugby Sevens have united to consider the future of the playing and fan experience as the Olympic sport springboards into a new Games cycle beyond what promises to be a ‘coming of age’ event at Paris 2024. With Olympic Rugby Sevens the sport’s biggest shop window on sport’s biggest stage, the Sevens Shape of...

Fiji Drua’s powerhouse centre, Iosefo Masi, emerged as the star of the show, clinching not one but two prestigious awards at the Fiji Airways Drua Awards ceremony in Nadi. The event, a beacon of glamour and recognition, honoured the outstanding achievements of the Fijian Drua, marking yet another milestone in the realm of Fijian rugby. This year’s ceremony marked a significant...

By Ilaitia Turagabeci As the sun rises over the Sigatoka River, Alipate Nainoca, a former lawman and headman of Laselase Village, offers a prayer for wisdom and protection for the river and its people. The environmental changes brought on by dredging and the looming threat of mining have caused distress in the community, prompting Nainoca to seek solace and guidance in his...

In a decisive address to the Special Committee on Decolonisation at the United Nations headquarters, Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), voiced serious concerns regarding the ongoing situation in Kanaky New Caledonia. His statement, representing Pacific faith and civil society, highlighted the deep frustrations felt across the Pacific regarding France's actions over the last...

The President of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Benny Wenda, has made a blunt assessment of the dire situation in West Papua. “For years, we’ve been telling the world that West Papuans are suffering from genocide and ecocide,” he said in a statement. “Over 500,000 of our people have been killed since Indonesia’s occupation began in the 1960s....