PINA

'It's just another headache' By Dionisia Tabureguci An anti-mining group in Papua New Guinea is calling on its government to explore opportunities in precious metals recycling instead of courting armageddon by allowing seabed mining to happen. “We are calling for a total ban,"says Jonathan Mesulam, co-founder and spokesperson for the Alliance of Solwara Warriors, a powerful grassroots movement across Papua New Guinea...

Following recent publicised governance challenges arising within the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), World Rugby, together with the FRU, the Government of the Republic of Fiji and Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC), have set out a collaborative roadmap to ensure short-term stability, continuity of current programmes and protect future preparations for major events, while the wider...

Fiji's Attorney General Siromi Turaga says great efforts are being made behind the scenes to restore the Fiji Rugby Union’s seat at the World Rugby Council. Turaga said he has taken a step back to allow the interim FRU Trust Board trustees and interim administrator Simione Valentabua to handle the matter. “It’s sad that this has happened. It’s the sport that...

More than 5,000 people have applied to Volunteer at this year’s Sol2023 Pacific Games. The Games Organizing Committee (GOC)’s Workforce Team confirmed receiving the mass number of submissions both online and in hard copies by close of applications Monday. “As of today, we can confirm receiving and recording approximately 3,129 application forms in our database. 2000 plus applications have yet to...

All Games Facilities in Honiara, Solomon Islands are currently under construction and will be completed within the next three to four months. Chairman of the Games Facilities Committee (GFC) Joe Sika revealed that all Games Venues and Games Villages will be completed by the end of August. “Basically, all Games Facilities will be completed in time for the Games. All contractors...

Two female ministers have been announced in Niue's Cabinet for the first time in the nations history. Dalton Tagelagi, who has just been re-elected as Premier, has announced the line-up last Friday, which is now the first gender balanced Cabinet for the island nation. According to Niue Broadcasting Corperation, Tagelagi has retained his ministers Crossley Tatui and Esa Mona Sharon Ainuu...

Vanuatu's Speaker of Parliament has officially confirmed the motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, submitted on Friday, is in order and will be subject to debate. According to the Vanuatu Daily Post newspaper, the scheduled date for the debate is set for this Friday, 19 May. The Vanuatu parliament met briefly last Friday to start its first ordinary...

By Elenoa Dimaira The Pacific’s male dominated energy sector could be more gender balanced in future with energy ministers serving as champions, promoting equality. An outcome of the 5th Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers Meeting has tasked ministers “serve as champions in promoting gender in the energy sector and for relevant agencies to jointly pursue the goal of a...

Moetai Brotherson of the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira has been elected president of French Polynesia for a five-year term. In the election in the territorial assembly, Brotherson received 38 votes, defeating Edouard Fritch of the Tapura Huiraatira, who obtained 16 votes. Nicole Sanquer of A Here Ia Porinetia, who was the first woman to seek the presidency, got three votes. A fourth candidate...

By Elenoa Dimaira Civil societies have applauded the Efate Outcomes Statement issued after the 5th Pacific Regional Ministers Meeting this week in Port Vila, as it prioritised a people-centred approach to achieving a Just and Equitable Transition towards a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific. “We commend the Pacific Energy and Transport Ministers for their decision to accelerate efforts for a just...