PINA

Suva Magistrate Seini Puamau has acquitted former Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama of charges related to perverting the course of justice. The man who ruled Fiji for 16 years was facing allegations he interfered in a police investigation into the University of the South Pacific (USP). Puamau asserted that the State failed to establish a compelling case against the former Prime...

Papua New Guinea Parliament has unanimously passed the Climate Change (Management) Act 2015 establishing the legal framework and empowering the Government to enforce and collect tax revenue from carbon levies, nitrogen levies, and activities linked to carbon emissions. Additionally, the Act enables the generation of non-tax revenue through fees and charges with an aim to make enhanced provisions for the...

The Republic of Palau is one of three Pacific Island nations negotiating a Compact of Free Association Agreement that would give Washington the right to deny access to other nations — including China — in exchange for U.S. economic assistance. Palau is in line to receive $90 million if and when Congress approves an extension of its current 20-year compact,...

Papua New Guinea Members of Parliament (MPs) agreed Wednesday to increase the penalty for anyone breaching the Leadership Code from a three-year to a five-year suspension. The three-year ban had been in place since Independence in 1975. All MPs in the House voted in favour of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership (Amendment) Act 2023. Prime Minister James...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was at the Nadi International Airport early this morning to welcome home 255 pilgrims who returned from the annual Feast of the Tabernacle in Israel. Rabuka said their safe return is a testament to the resilience of our nation and the Fijian spirit that binds us together. He highlighted the country’s strength in times of need...

By Jioji Ravulo, University of Sydney Australia’s Indigenous Voice referendum could also be seen as a referendum on how the nation will be perceived by its Pacific neighbours. Pacific nations have put Australia on notice as it prepares to vote in the Indigenous Voice referendum after witnessing the bruising and often ugly campaign. They believe Australia’s image in the Pacific is on...

Officials gathering in Samoa for the Pacific Small Islands States (PSIDS) preparatory meeting for the 28th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) are adamant. They say the big greenhouse gas emitting countries must be held accountable and pay for the impacts climate change continues to inflict on lives in Pacific countries that are least responsible...

Dozens of island nations signed a declaration in Indonesia on Wednesday to boost solidarity and cooperation on fighting climate threats, including rising sea levels. Smaller nations at risk of the effects of climate change have sounded the alarm about the threat posed to their existence, seeking a bigger voice on climate diplomacy and issues that may decide their fate. Thirty-two island...

Close to 200 Fijians including Fijian students studying in Israel were successfully repatriated by a Fiji Airways charted flight from Tel Aviv Wednesday. In a media conference, Minister for Immigration Pio Tikoduadua said flight 2394 not only brought back 198 Fijians but also a diverse group of international travellers including 13 Australians, 16 New Zealanders, eight Samoans, two Canadians, two...

Hundreds of Pacific Islanders were on the trip of a lifetime in Israel when war suddenly broke out. Pesi Sikalu is one of many who were on religious trips to the country but are now stuck in the war zone after their flights home were cancelled. They are all safe, but scared, telling 1News: “When we were outdoors the siren alarmed....