PINA

Resident Magistrate Seini Puamau will deliver her judgement in the trial of former Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho next Thursday. Magistrate Puamau has ordered both the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Defence Counsel to file their written submission by 4pm this Friday. On 28 September, Magistrate Puamau had ordered both...

Pacific trade officials have completed two days of intensive meetings in Suva in preparation for the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers (PACPTMM) and Forum Trade Ministers Meetings (FTMM) on Thursday, 05 October and Friday, 06 October. Setting regional trade and investment priorities and regional initiatives to 2050, the 2023 PACPTMM and FTMM will centre around the theme 'Our Pacific Way in...

Despite years of voicing concerns, vulnerable nations grapple with a maze of red tape and resource hurdles. By Subel Rai Bhandari The global climate adaptation week in South Korea ended not with a bang, but a whimper. September’s Incheon City event was intended to unite Asia-Pacific leaders on climate change but faced several issues, including visa troubles for some speakers. Despite key figures...

The Flying Fijians coaching staff is expected to make minimal changes to their matchday 23 against Portugal in their last Rugby World Cup pool match. Head coach Simon Raiwalui is highly likely to field our top side again for this important clash as our quarterfinal hopes depend on it. Winger Semi Radradra is expected to be rested this week due to...

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...