PINA

Fiji’s Parliament has a new Speaker. Retired Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko took the position this morning, following a 34-15 vote that secured him the role. He succeeds Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who has transitioned to become Fiji’s President-elect. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka nominated Jitoko, while Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu put forward Rupeni Nadalo, a former deputy Speaker, as the rival candidate. Jitoko’s appointment marks...

By Kambes Kesolei Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr has clinched another term in office, decisively defeating former President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr in a race that initially seemed poised for a close finish. This time, Whipps achieved a notable 57.5 percent of the vote (4,323 votes) compared to Remengesau’s 41.3 percent (3,106 votes), marking one of the largest margins in Palau’s...

The dire reality of the climate crisis was highlighted for the world to remember as 40,000 delegates, including a strong representation from Pacific Island countries, gather for the Twenty-Ninth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). “Colleagues, we are on a road to ruin. But these are not future problems. Climate change is already...

As thousands of delegates descend upon Azerbaijan for 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the lead Coordinator for the Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS) for the Mitigation Workstream, Toiata Uili of Samoa, has issued a timely reminder to all. “1.5 for Small Island Developing States is non-negotiable, this is vital, we...

Facing physical and ecological threats, Pacific Island experts are demanding their experience, and history is better understood to inform local and global climate action. Releasing a research report by 100 scholars, Professor Steven Ratuva said “Pacific ways of knowing and doing” could cut through the politics and economics that usually prevailed at climate negotiations. “We're not going anywhere, we're staying right...

Following another year of record-high global heat and extreme weather events, UN climate chief Simon Stiell told negotiators at COP29 in Baku that setting an ambitious new climate finance target is crucial for the well-being of all nations, including the wealthiest and most powerful. “Let’s dispense with any idea that climate finance is charity;” runaway climate change is impacting “every...

The Flying Fijians move on to the next assignment on their four-match Autumn Tour of Europe, as the focus shifts to Spain. Head coach Mick Byrne said following the historic 24-19 win over Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Monday morning , that they need to keep producing results. Byrne said it was good to get the win against...

The Kiribati government says it is deeply concerned about ongoing intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) testing in the Pacific Ocean. Last week, the U.S military launched an ICBM test, firing the missile from the Space Force base in California and flew over the Marshall Islands. Air Force Global Strike Command said that airmen and Navy aircrew launched an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM...

Pacific delegates fear the implications of a Trump presidency and breach of the 1.5-degree Celsius warming target will overshadow negotiations on climate finance at the UN’s annual COP talks starting in Azerbaijan this week. At the COP29 summit – dubbed the “finance COP” – Pacific nations will seek not just more monetary commitment from high-emitting nations but also for the...

Commodore Philip Polewara has now been appointed as chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and promoted to the rank of rear admiral. Rear admiral is a two-star rank within the navy. Meanwhile, Colonel Lari Opa was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general and deputy PNGDF chief. Prime Minister James Marape congratulated the two senior officers and urged that they...