PINA

By Iliesa Tora The Flying Fijians will be playing for more than just a win against Portugal on Monday morning in Toulouse. Players have rallied in support of utility backline player Josua Tuisova, who has opted to stay with the team to chase a quarterfinal spot at the Rugby World Cup despite the death of his eldest son Tito Ratulevu. Tuisova...

By Iliesa Tora Tonga defence coach Dale MacLeod says the experience of playing against top teams like the Springboks has given the players more knowledge as they continue their preparation for their last pool match against Romania. He said despite the loss the team learned a lot. “There were a lot of positives. We can be really proud of a lot of...

NSW Origin forward Tyson Frizell will bolster a Tonga squad of hardened international players and NRL young guns for the historic Test series against England. Tonga will become the first Pacific nation to play a full three-Test series against England and Frizell will join a forward pack already brimming with big names, including Addin Fonua-Blake, Felise Kaufusi, Moeaki Fotuaika, Keaon...

The post-Cotonou deal between the European Union (EU) and the 79-member of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) is set to sign the SAMOA Agreement on 14 - 15 November in Apia. The pact was initialled in April 2021 after several years of negotiations and delays but remains unratified after negotiations concluded between the EU and African,...

Australia’s credibility would be boosted on the world stage if the yes vote wins the looming Indigenous voice referendum, a senior Pacific leader says. Henry Puna, the head of the Pacific Islands Forum, said on Wednesday that while he respected the country’s right to make its own democratic decision it would be “wonderful to see Australia vote yes”. The Pacific Islands...

The Pacific island country of Tuvalu has prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex and disability – provided it doesn’t conflict with traditional values – under a new constitution that went into effect this week. Rights groups and United Nations agencies have previously expressed concerns about gender inequality and other forms of discrimination in Tuvalu. Amnesty International said on Wednesday...

Trade officials from Pacific Islands Forum member countries met today in Suva, ahead of Friday’s Trade Ministers Meeting. The meeting focuses on regaining lost growth opportunities during the pandemic and strengthening resilience in member economies against future shocks. Forum deputy Secretary General, Esala Nayasi told the Forum Trade Officials Meeting, as a region, they need to work towards stronger coordination, strengthened...

Westpac has decided to maintain a presence in the South Pacific after the federal government indicated it wants to see Australian companies maintain a role in the region. The bank told the ASX on Wednesday it will retain ownership of Westpac Bank PNG and Westpac Fiji and increase investment in the subsidiaries. This comes two years after a $420 million...

As Japan will begin releasing a second batch of wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant Thursday, the issue is expected to be a standing agenda item between the Pacific and Japan at the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) to be hosted next by the Asian nation. Forum Secretary, General Henry Puna made the statement when asked on the issue...

The opposition in Vanuatu is looking forward to taking charge of the government this Friday, promising to work for the people. Charlot Salwai, the Leader of the Opposition, revealed his side determination to take charge of Vanuatu’s affairs in press conference, held on Monday this week. Salwai’s statement came in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the Speaker’s...