PINA

By Nic Maclellan In a major electoral upset, Kanak independence politician Robert Xowie has won one of New Caledonia’s two seats in the French Senate in Paris. His second-round electoral victory over Loyalist leader Sonia Backès came on 24 September, the 170th anniversary of France’s annexation of its Pacific dependency. Xowie is the Mayor of Lifou and a former provincial president in...

Japan has expressed its disappointment on Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare’s statement at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last week against the discharge of the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water. Japan’s Ambassador in Honiara, Miwa Yoshiaski said they were disappointed by the statement because they had explained their position to him many times and he had...

Fiji's economy is forecast to grow by 8.3 percent in 2023 and then moderate to 3.7 percent in 2024, says the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2023, an update to ADB's flagship economic publication. The outlook for the Pacific subregion is also revised up from the projections in April. The subregion is projected to grow by 3.5 percent in 2023...

We—the governments of Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the United States of America—meet on the occasion of the second U.S- Pacific Islands Forum Summit, held at the White House in Washington,...

U.S President Joe Biden has offered US$40bn in economic aid to Pacific islands at a White House meeting with leaders from the region aimed at bolstering U.S engagement in the face of growing a growing Chinese presence. The president also announced formal U.S recognition of two new island nations, the Cook Islands and Niue, at the start of the Pacific...

U.S President Joe Biden met Pacific island leaders for a second White House summit on Monday, part of a charm offensive aimed at curbing further inroads by China into a strategic region that Washington has long considered its own backyard. Before welcoming the island leaders, gathered under the umbrella of the 18-nation Pacific Islands Forum, Biden announced U.S diplomatic recognition...

U.S President Joe Biden on Monday told leaders from the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum that he has heard their warnings about the impact of climate change on their region and that his administration is committed to helping them meet the challenge. Pacific islands leaders gathered on Monday for the start of a two-day Washington summit. Many have been critical of...

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr of Palau has called for peace and stability worldwide, as the Ukraine invasion by Russia has had ripple effects on Palau and other nations’ economies. Palau is susceptible to external factors and has already been suffering from the drop in tourism and the worldwide delay of goods caused by the pandemic. The Russian invasion of...

Exclusive: Australia is seeking to strengthen ties with Indonesia, despite new reports of brutality by the military — including the torture and murder of civilians — in West Papua By Marni Cordell The body of 17-year-old Wity Unue was brought back by the Indonesian military in a box, witnesses say. When soldiers couldn’t find his family, they burned the cardboard...

Although winning with bonus points may sound easy, the Flying Fijians know it’s actually quite difficult. Australia’s 6-40 loss to Wales Monday has put Fiji in a good position to advance to the last eight. In order to do so, they must beat both Georgia and Portugal with bonus points. Head coach Simon Raiwalui understands the enormity of this challenge and emphasizes...