PINA

Chinese and Southeast Asian gangs are raking in tens of billions of dollars a year targeting victims through investment, cryptocurrency, romance and other scams -- using an army of workers often trafficked and forced to toil in squalid compounds. The activity has largely been focused in Myanmar's lawless border areas and dubious “special economic zones” set up in Cambodia and...

Caribbean economist and regional economic policy advisor Marla Dukharan has criticised the European Union’s (EU) decision to blacklist Vanuatu over tax governance and financial regulation concerns as discriminatory, unjust, and immoral. Speaking in a recent interview with Daily Post, Dukharan urged Vanuatu to support the United Nations (UN) Convention on Tax, a multilateral initiative aimed at improving global tax cooperation....

The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) has joined the global Christian community in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who died on Monday. In a heartfelt tribute shared on social media, the PCC expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the Catholic faithful across the Pacific and around the world “We join our Catholic sisters and brothers of the Pasifika...

Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88. The Vatican said Francis died of a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure. Bells tolled in Catholic churches from his...

The Northern Marianas has joined the Catholic world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. The pope has died at Casa Santa Marta, a guesthouse near St. Peter's Basilica where he has lived since his election in 2013, aged 88. In the evening of Easter Monday Vatican time - Tuesday morning in the Marianas and Guam - the rite of the...

Wallaroos coachJo Yapp has included a host of fresh faces as part of a 40-player squad ahead of their first Test of 2025 against Fijiana. There are 11 uncapped players in the squad, including Sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick following her switch to 15s. In a further boost to the program, Tia Hinds and Bienne Terita have been named, with the pair...

Fijian Drua and Flying Fijian halfback Peni Matawalu is under police investigation following allegations of domestic violence last month. Police confirmed that an assault complaint has been filed, alleging Matawalu assaulted his wife, resulting in her hospitalisation. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said: “We can confirm an alleged case of assault that is under investigation. Investigators are currently awaiting the medical report.” Matawalu was...

A high-level group selected and endorsed to carry out next steps for the review of the regional architecture must deliver on Leader priorities for an efficient, streamlined regional public service, says Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. He has just returned to the Cooks from a short visit to Fiji, attending Pacific Islands Forum troika meetings in Suva this week...

Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, has delivered a blunt message over climate change: “There is no Planet B. It’s about our survival.” During a joint press conference with New Zealand’s deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, in Port Vila on Thursday, Napat called on countries to reconsider actions that undermine global climate agreements. “It's about our survival as Pacific Island countries, and...

Solomon Islands prepares to host 54th Pacific Islands Forum, uniting leaders for regional dialogue and solidarity. Preparations are well underway for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, set to take place in Honiara later this year. As incoming Chair and host nation, the Solomon Islands is taking the lead in organising the region’s most significant annual political event, which is...