PINA

To help it meet President Trump’s directive for the U.S government to achieve operational control of the southern border, the acting Coast Guard Commandant said he changed plans for one of the service’s National Security Cutters (NSCs) to support operations in the Indo-Pacific in favour of border security duties. The change in plans was done in consultation with U.S Indo-Pacific...

By Belinda Kora in Papua New Guinea, Lice Movono & Gabriella Marchant in Fiji, Adel Fruean in Samoa & Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong in Solomon Islands  Across the Pacific, women are being assaulted, abused and silenced — often by those they love most. In an effort to spark change, survivors, perpetrators and frontline workers want to show you what one of the world's...

Papua New Guinea Opposition MP and East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird has issued a scathing rebuke of recent actions taken by government-linked entities against journalists, calling for a nationwide boycott of media companies tied to Telikom PNG. “It is frightening the road our country is taking in relation to the ruling cartels actions against journalists,” Bird said in a strongly...

Pacific Article 19 watchdog, the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) has welcomed the call from Papua New Guinea PM James Marape for more information and facts on the recent sacking of a high profile talk show host connected to his airtime with Opposition MP, Governor Allan Bird. The three-week suspension of FM100 talkback host Cullighan Tanda for bringing points of view...

Government officials from across Vanuatu have taken a critical step to prepare for the 62nd session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Subsidiary Bodies (UNFCCC SB62) in June and, ultimately, the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Brazil this November. From 13–15 May 2025 in Port Vila, government officials have been engaged in the second national...

The Government of Australia has bolstered their commitment to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) with an additional AUD$24.75 million (US$15.85 million). The announcement was made during the annual high-level consultations between the Government of Australia and SPREP Thursday, building on longstanding partnership. Sefanaia Nawadra, SPREP Director General, welcomed the announcement, saying:“Australia continues to be one of SPREP’s...

The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) stands in full solidarity with the Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) in raising serious concerns about the growing suppression of journalists and media freedom in Papua New Guinea. As the regional representative body for Pacific media, PINA is concerned with reports of increasing pressure, intimidation, and restrictions placed on journalists in PNG...

Fijian Drua captain Tevita Ikanivere is expected to leave the club at the conclusion of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. Head coach Glen Jackson revealed the news in an interview earlier this week, noting that Saturday’s clash against the Western Force in Lautoka is likely to be Ikanivere’s final home appearance for the Drua. Jackson also confirmed that several other...

The Dragons have signed ‘electric’ Tongan wing Fine Inisi from Moana Pasifika. The 26-year-old will head to Rodney Parade this summer to add to their options in the back three, while he can also slot in at outside centre. The 15-times capped Tonga back, who played at the 2023 World Cup, is not one of the marquee overseas signings that co-owner...

The Government of Vanuatu, alongside legal and youth climate leaders, has urged the global community to prepare for a key moment in international climate law as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) prepares to deliver its first-ever advisory opinion on climate change. Speaking at a virtual media briefing ahead of the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, Vanuatu’s Minister...