PINA

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says there was no consultation by the previous government prior to adopting the title ‘Fijian’ as the country’s national identity. Rabuka saids he mentioned favouring the word Fijian however, he is also aware that a question of a common name is a difficult one. Rabuka highlighted this in Parliament this morning in response to President Ratu...

A U.S Air Force general has warned of the likelihood of a war with China saying: “I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me will fight in 2025.2 Mike Minihan's chilling memo spoke of a confluence of events for it -- the U.S and Taiwan distracted by the 2004 presidential elections -- giving China's President Xi Jinping a chance...

Former Magistrate and former senior lawyer, Ropate Green Lomavatu is the country’s new Solicitor General. Attorney General, Siromi Turaga confirmed that Lomavatu was appointed late last week. This follows a meeting of the Judicial Services Commission. Turaga welcomed the appointment saying he needed Lomavatu for the huge task ahead. He said the new Solicitor General comes with massive experience and has moved up...

By Guy C. Charlton and Xiang Gao In May 2022, with the launch of the “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity,” the Biden administration sought to rebuild the U.S footprint across the Asia-Pacific region. The Framework, both rhetorically and materially, seeks to counter the growing Chinese economic and military presence across the region by re-emphasising liberal democratic values, a rule-based...

The Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders Retreat will be held in Nadi, Fiji on 24 February 2023. The retreat will be preceded by a traditional welcome ceremony and a welcome dinner on 23 February 2023. The meeting will be hosted by the Fiji Government, led by the Forum Chair and Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka. The Sheraton Golf and Beach...

Japan’s government promised to provide “transparent communication” with Pacific countries before dumping treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean, according to a Friday statement from the Foreign Ministry. “Japan will continue to provide the Pacific Island countries and regions with scientific evidence-based explanations in a very transparent and candid manner, while continuing to submit to...

The United States said on Friday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federated States of Micronesia, reflecting a shared understanding on future U.S assistance to the Pacific island country that Washington is anxious to keep out of China's orbit. The State Department announcement means Washington has now signed MoUs on future assistance with three key Pacific island...

Israel and Fiji have reasserted commitment to advance cooperation on issues of mutual priorities, such as UN peacekeeping operations, economic prosperity and sustainable development. Israel's support was conveyed Friday, to the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka at a courtesy call by the non-resident Ambassador of Israel to Fiji, Roi Rosenblit. Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed Ambassador Rosenblit...

Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Barak Sope has called for Indonesia's removal from the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). Despite being an associated member, Sope believes that Indonesia should not be a part of the Melanesian organisation. His statement comes in response to the MSG's decision to hire Indonesian consultants, stating the MSG Secretariat's Staff Regulations allow for the recruitment of individuals outside...

Twenty-two fishermen and one fisheries observer narrowly escaped with only the clothes they were wearing when a purse seine vessel sank off the coast of the Marshall Islands capital of Majuro Atoll Friday morning. American Captain Jim Santos said the over 200-foot long fishing vessel Yap Seagull began taking on ocean water as it neared Majuro in the early morning...