PINA

Fiji Opposition Leader Voreqe Bainimarama claims that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere has failed to protect the 2013 Constitution. In his response to the President’s opening speech in Parliament Monday, Bainimarama alleges that Ratu Wiliame has failed to protect the rule of law and has failed to halt the resulting chaos that is creeping in and the impending disaster that is...

Commitments to further engage in “intensive dialogue” and information sharing on the proposed Fukushima ALPS treated nuclear wastewater discharge into the Pacific are the leading outcomes of the Forum's high level visit to Japan. The high-level delegation led by incoming Forum Chair Mark Brown has concluded, while a technical mission travelled to Fukushima late Thursday to visit the TEPCO facility. The...

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...