PINA

The Solomon Islands High Court has granted declaration sought by the Leader of Opposition, Mathew Wale that the nomination period up to the date of the election of the Prime Minister does not comply with the mandatory four-day period as stated in Schedule 2 1 (b) of the Constitution. The Court however, declined to grant declaration and relief sought that...

Islanders and visitors can now bring in medicinal cannabis into the country from New Zealand and Australia provided they meet certain requirements, says Te Marae Ora (TMO), Ministry for Health. Minister for Health Rose Toki-Brown confirmed that the Narcotics and Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2023, including the Narcotics Amendment Regulation 2024 and TMO Pharmacy and Therapeutic Amendment Regulation 2024...

Jeremiah Manele and Charlot Salwai, the prime ministers of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, are in China this week. Their visits come as Beijing seeks to grow its bilateral ties with the two South Pacific nations and as China is increasingly competing for influence in the region with Australia, the United States and others. Last week, China donated a presidential building...

Papua New Guinea's Communication Minister Timothy Masiu says he is open to criticism regarding the government's proposed new media policy. The proposed media policy, which has been heavily criticised, is now in its fifth draft. It aims to promote, uphold and support principles of freedom of expression and information in PNG through the development of public and private media including media...

The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) is inviting all people of good will to share prayers and support on 14 July for a Kanaky and Ma’ohi Nui Freedom Sunday. Pacific churches are sharing common lectionary texts developed to reflect on the struggle for truth, justice, and freedom and a God who loves and liberates. Communities in Kanaky and Ma’ohi Nui will...

Japan stands ready to welcome Pacific Island leaders in the upcoming 10th Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (Palm10) summit in Tokyo from 16-18 July. Japan’s Defence Minister Kihara Minoru said in a statement the Pacific or the Blue Pacific, was at the heart of continents such as North and South America, Eurasia and Australia. He said Japan had shared the vast Pacific...

Fiji's Attorney General Graham Leung delivered his maiden speech in Parliament Monday saying that he saw it as his duty to promote respect for the law in all government affairs. The Attorney General said that the rule of law was central to our democracy. “The rule of law means that no one, including the elected Government of the day, is above...

Disappearing banking services and boosting financial security in the Pacific region are the focal point for policymakers, finance institutions and international organisations at an Australian forum. Turning the tide on the closure of banks in the Pacific is high on the agenda in Brisbane during the two-day forum which started on Monday. The Pacific Banking Forum was an important outcome of...

An extra $6.3 million (US$4.24 million) in Commonwealth funds will go toward bolstering banking infrastructure in the Pacific, the federal treasurer will announce at a forum in Brisbane. The talks are focused on banking closures and financial security in the Pacific, with the federal government encouraging Australian banks to stay in the region. “Australian banks like Westpac and ANZ provide vital...

The Paris 2024 Olympic rugby sevens match schedule has been unveiled by World Rugby and Paris 2024 today, with just 16 days to go until the sport has the honour of kicking off the Games on 24 July, two days ahead of the Opening Ceremony. The schedule follows the pools announcement, which took place in Monaco on 23 June and...