PINA

China’s Ambassador to the Solomon Islands Li Ming has insisted infrastructure projects for this year's Pacific Games in the capital Honiara will be completed in August. Approximately SBD$1.85 billion (£184 million/US$226 million/€207 million) in funding is being provided by China for the Games, including the construction of the main stadium. Li said that work by Jiangsu Provincial Construction (JPC) and the...

The Fijian media industry has strongly called on the coalition government to repeal the Media Industry Development Act (MIDA)which first came as a decree in 2010, and stick to the promise they made during the campaign period. In a submission signed by Communications Fiji Limited Chair William Parkinson, Fiji TV Limited Chair Deepak Rathod, Fiji Times Limited General Manager Christine...

Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa has expressed her concern over Australia’s potential to launch new gas and coal projects ahead of the country’s bid to host the world’s biggest climate conference. Mata’afa told reporters on Wednesday she would have concerns if the Australian government doesn’t ban future coal and gas projects, with climate change one of Samoa’s “biggest threats.” In...

Samoa’s prime minister has raised concerns about China muscling its way into the Pacific but stressed relations with Beijing need to be seen in a more nuanced way. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa is in Australia to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with the two signing a new co-operation agreement. Mata’afa said Pacific nations needed to be the first point of call for...

Fijian Drua Head Coach Mick Byrne has named his squad for this Saturday’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Highlanders. Eroni Sau and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta will miss this week’s match due to injury, while’s it’s a first run-on starts for winger Taniela Rakuro and Kemu Valetini. Emosi Tuqiri (1) is back in the starting 15 as loosehead...

The eight qualified teams have been separated into their two groups for the OFC Champions League 2023. The draw took place today at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland. This year's OFC Champions League will be held in Vanuatu in May, with games split between Port Vila and Luganville. It'll be an exciting chance for...

Vanuatu's Justice Minister John Still Tari Qetu has appointed a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to investigate allegations of corruption within the country's Citizenship Commission. The COI will be chaired by Glen Craig and Christina Thyna as Secretary with Collin Leo, James Steven and Johnny Wilson, as members. The inquiry will investigate allegations of fake citizenship certificates currently in circulation and that...

Australia and Samoa are set to sign a new deal on education and health, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomes the Samoan PM Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa to Canberra. Mata’afa will receive a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House and sign a bilateral agreement. She has put climate change action and the need for more regional consultation on the agenda. Mata’afa has pushed for...

Vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by global warming are being given ‘insufficient’ funds to help adapt to extreme climate impacts, the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says. “Current global financial flows for adaptation are insufficient for, and constrain implementation of, adaptation options, especially in developing countries”, the scientists report says. Wealthy governments have failed to provide US$100...

You could call it a Switzerland-like foreign relations policy — just in the Pacific. “Friends to all, enemy to none” is how Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare describes it. The phrase itself -something Sogavare repeats over and over - has become official government policy. Even in a nation colloquially known as the Hapi Isles, it may seem like a bit of...