PINA

To strengthen Vanuatu's efforts in global climate advocacy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Matai Seremaiah Nawalu, has appointed Ralph Regenvanu as the nation's Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment. The appointment, made under Section 29 of the Foreign Service Act No. 20 of 2013, assigns Regenvanu with a pivotal role in advancing Vanuatu's climate and environmental...

A record five female MPs have been elected into the Kiribati parliament, the Maneaba ni Maungatabo, which is one more than the last polls, while 14 sitting MPs have lost their seats in this year's election. The five women are: first time MPs Ruth Cross Kwansing (South Tarawa), Lavinia Teatao Teem (Abaiang) and Ruta Baabo Manate (Maiana Island), a former...

Kiribati has banned foreign diplomatic visits until 2025 due to national elections in a move that has left officials scrambling for more information. A letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration sent to foreign diplomatic missions and obtained by AAP states,” due to ongoing national elections, no visits will be permitted … until the end of December”. “This measure...

China has pledged to support Fiji’s development in a world beset with “turmoil” and help tackle the impact of climate change during Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit to Beijing, reports the South China Morning paper. Rabuka met Xi in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People after touring the length and breadth of China for more than a week. President Xi Jinping,...

The French Parliament adopted a bill on 14 May 2024 that dismantles one of the cornerstones of the Nouméa Accord by unfreezing the electoral body in New Caledonia, a non-self-governing territory under French administration in the South Pacific, UN experts said in a statement Tuesday. “The French Ministry of Interior has also presented another bill known as the “Marty Project”...

A stockpile of more than 200 U.S artillery shells from the Second World War discovered at a school in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara has been safely removed. Honiara is estimated to be littered with thousands of bombs and shells left behind on the battlefield after the six-month Battle of Guadalcanal ended in 1943. Royal Solomon Islands Police Force(RSIPF) in a...

History was created at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifier A event on Tuesday as Samoan batter Darius Visser helped break the record for most runs from one over of a men's T20I contest. Visser smashed six sixes and was helped with three no balls from Vanuatu seamer Nalin Nipiko at Garden Oval No.2 in...

The Flying Fijians will have to be ready for Manu Samoa despite the challenges they’re currently facing. Samoa pulled out of their Northern Hemisphere tour due to financial challenges. It was not only that as Samoan legend Brian Lima’s contract as the national 7s coach was terminated along with his management. Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne says these off the field challenges...

Lakapi Samoa has been in the limelight. The cancellation of the November tour, admission of financial struggles and recently the sacking of the sevens management Samoa Observer(SO) spoke with Lakapi Samoa chief executive officer Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai(FVF) on the direction needed to ensure the financial stability of the union and how that would lead to better development. SO: Lakapi Samoa continues to...

Tonga may be where time begins but with less than a week remaining before the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) kicks off, the government finds itself in a frantic race against time to ensure everything is in place to ensure the success of this major regional event. The event, which is expected to draw leaders and dignitaries from...