PINA

In a dramatic political turn, Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has announced his resignation. The Prime Minister read out his resignation while the discussions surrounding his vote of no confidence were taking place in parliament. The Prime Minister was visibly emotional and repeatedly attempted to compose himself. Using figurative expressions in Tongans he surprised the House by asking the Speaker to...

By Adam Wolfenden Fiji's consideration of joining the regional free trade agreement known as PACER-Plus, raises critical questions about what it realistically expects to get out of it compared to what it will cost. Fiji previously has looked at the offer and decided against it, so what has changed? The previous Fijian government was at the table when PACER-Plus was negotiated...

By Lopeti Senituli The second Vote of No Confidence (VONC) in Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni and his Cabinet was tabled when Parliament reconvened on 25 November 2024. The Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, instructed the parliamentary committee responsible for such matters to scrutinise it to see if it complied with parliamentary rules and whether it needed additional information before it be...

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr is inviting United States President-elect Donald Trump to “visit the Pacific” to see firsthand the impacts of the climate crisis. Palau is set to host the largest annual Pacific leaders meeting in 2026, and the country's leader Whipps told RNZ Pacific he would “love” Trump to be there. He said he might even take the American...

As a landmark climate change case reached its halfway mark Friday at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, clear divisions have emerged over whether nation states can be held legally liable for global warming under international human rights laws. The 15 judges at the United Nations’ top court have been asked to give an opinion on whether nation...

Fiji is calling on the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, to support justice for communities vulnerable to climate change. Impacts of climate change are threatening basic human rights, and Fiji’s submission argues that the countries responsible for the crisis should pay for the damage. This was stated by the Attorney General Hon. Graham Leung during...

Hosts South Africa beat Olympic champions France 26-14 to win a thriller of a men’s final and claim their first HSBC SVNS title in Cape Town in nine years. New Zealand came back from two tries down to beat the USA 26-12 in an end-to-end women’s final to bounce back from their final disappointment in Dubai and take an early...

Manu Samoa 7s clinched the Oceania 7s Championship with a try in extra time to beat the Fiji Development side 17-12. Samoa led 5-0 at half time and then added another try at the start of the second half to lead 12-0. Fiji hit back and levelled the score 12-12 at the final whistle forcing the extra time. Samoa gained possession off...

By Nic Maclellan A no-confidence motion in the French National Assembly has ousted the government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier. But for New Caledonians, still reeling from the economic, cultural and social impacts of six months of conflict this year, the collapse of the Barnier government raises concern about future support from Paris. A long-serving conservative politician and former diplomat,...

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has become a battleground in the global fight against climate change, as the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, and Solomon Islands presented impassioned arguments urging the Court to recognise the legal obligations of States in addressing the climate crisis. Representing some of the most climate-vulnerable nations, these Pacific Island countries called for...