PINA

Manu Samoa 7s Head Coach, Muliagatele Fata Brian Lima, has announced the squad to represent Samoa in the upcoming Hong Kong 7’s Leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023-2024 in Hong Kong this weekend. Samoa is in Pool C, alongside Ireland, Spain and South Africa. Manu Samoa 7s will kick off their campaign on Friday 5th April at...

The Australian Government has committed an additional AUD$20 million (WST$36.7 million) in direct budget support towards Samoa’s Treasury. This additional budget support will reinforce the Government of Samoa’s fiscal strength as it prepares for hosting a successful Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) later this year. The Exchange of Letters for this funding arrangement was co-signed by Samoa’s Minister of Finance,...

Developing East Asia and Pacific is growing faster than the rest of the world but slower than it was before the pandemic, the World Bank said on Sunday in its semi-annual economic outlook for the region. While recovering global trade and easing financial conditions will support economies in the region, increasing protectionism and policy uncertainty will dampen growth. Regional growth is...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the Supreme Court’s interpretation of sections 105(2)(b) of the 2013 Fijian Constitution will determine Cabinet’s intentions to reshuffle key Ministerial positions and the appointment of the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions. Speaking with FijiLive, the Prime Minister said this complies with section 91(5) of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji. Rabuka said there were...

Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church visit to PNG is now pushed back to September this year. According to Cardinal Sir John Ribat, Archbishop of Port Moresby, the Pope’s visit previously proposed for August is now deferred due to certain circumstances. “The Pope’s visit previously scheduled to be three days – from 23-25 August is now moved to 06 -...

Pacific indigenous leaders, including the Māori King, has urged the legal recognition of whales as persons with inherent rights. Māori leaders spearheading the Hinemoana Halo Ocean Initiative joined forces with Kīngi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII and the Kaumaiti Nui Travel Tou Ariki of the Cook Islands to endorse He Whakaputanga Moana (Declaration for the Ocean). They launched their endorsement at...

Australia could become a “poison portal” for international radioactive waste under the Aukus deal, a parliamentary inquiry into nuclear safety legislation has heard. New laws to establish a safety framework for Australia’s planned nuclear-powered submarines could also allow the U.S and UK to send waste here, while both of those countries are struggling to deal with their own waste, as...

By Stephen Howes and Athualla Rasheed Australia is about to launch a new visa that will for the first time create a Pacific quota in Australia’s permanent migration regime. 3,000 visas will be issued every year for the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste. It’s a huge opportunity yet awareness of this new visa is low. The Pacific Engagement Visa or PEV...

In a historic T20I showdown, Papua New Guinea’s women secured their maiden victory against a Full Member team, triumphing over Zimbabwe in a thrilling Super Over clash held in Harare. The heroics of all-rounder Sibona Jimmy in the decisive Super Over propelled the Lewas to victory, as she smashed four crucial runs off the last two deliveries and then successfully...

The Pacific region, with its prevalence of low-lying islands, is especially vulnerable to climate change. Football is not immune, and is affected at all levels, but at the same time, it can also play a role in helping to draw attention to climate change and taking action against it. With that focus in mind, ten OFC Member Associations (MAs) will...