PINA

A legislative subcommittee on Thursday approved an emergency rule to comply with a new U.S federal law that extends certain public assistance programme benefits to migrants from the Marshall Islands. Arkansas is home to the largest Marshallese community in the country, according to U.S Census Bureau estimates. The emergency rule the Department of Human Services presented to the Arkansas Legislative Council’s...

As Tonga grapples with its meth crisis the true impact on children and families is becoming evident. It comes as police continue to investigate drug groups on the island, this week revealing 17 arrests including members of the Comanchero gang. Twice a year groups of teens arrive from around the kingdom for aspirational talks and education about harm reduction. They're the...

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns will return to action at the end of the year, as New Zealand Rugby League and the NRL have confirmed the Pacific Championships tests for October and November. Fresh from winning the 2023 iteration of the competition with a record 30-0 victory over Australia in Hamilton, the Kiwis will get the chance to defend their...

Pacific island nations threatened by rising oceans, debt and geopolitical tensions can only fight back if international lenders agree to fairer terms for vital development funding and the world’s biggest polluters make a “massive increase” in contributions to address “climate chaos”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday. Speaking in Samoa, where he met residents uprooted from their homes by...

The Pacific Islands Forum’s new Secretary General, Baron Waqa, arrived in Tonga Thursday, ahead of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, which opens in Nuku’alofa on Monday 26 August. He said the time has come for climate action at this meeting, that brings together leaders from 18 members from across the Pacific Ocean. Pacific climate resilience and mitigation loom...

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti  The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM53) kicks off next week in Nuku’alofa, and it has some Tongans asking what is its purpose, and what are the benefits of this annual event? Director for Governance and Engagement at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Sione Tekiteki’s answer is that it’s significant because the issues facing Pacific Island states...

Thursday marked the grand opening of the Tonga High School Indoor Stadium, the main venue of the Forum Leaders Meeting - a state-of-the-art facility inaugurated by Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala. The event was graced by the presence of Crown Princess Sinaitakala, Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, and Liu Weimin, the Chinese Ambassador to Tonga. The new indoor stadium, which spans 4,311 square meters...

Manu Samoa debutants Lalomilo Lalomilo and Tuna Tuitama have been given the nod to start against the Flying Fijians in the Pacific Nations Cup at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji Friday night. The management has named the strongest possible line-up against Fiji. The PNC holds importance for Manu Samoa as they need to qualify for the 2027 Rugby...

Vuate Karawalevu and Epeli Momo will make their FIJI Water Flying Fijians debut against Samoa in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup in Suva tomorrow. Momo will be on the left wing while Karawalevu will be at fullback. Halfback Moses Sorovi and barnstorming centre Apisalome Vota are also set for their debut off the bench. Coach Mick Byrne has picked...

Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Subianto says he wants to work with Papua New Guinea to seek advice and insights on how to respect the rights of indigenous people. “We also would like your advice on culture because of your cultural, ethnic family and traditional relations with Papuans on our side of the border, your insights on culture, on respecting tradition and...