PINA

Standing just off the dusty main street of Solomon Islands' capital Honiara, 22-year-old Tiphany Maena is about to set off on a new adventure. Next month, the mother of two from the country's western province will hop on a plane and head to Queensland, joining thousands of Pacific Islanders working for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. She'll be picking fruit...

Fiji's Ministry of Home Affairs will soon be undertaking a defence review. Minister responsible, Pio Tikoduadua said they have discussed the initiative with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai and both have supported the idea. Tikoduadua said the Defence Review will be headed by a civilian and an independent panel of...

On 13 February 2023, the government of the Federated States of Micronesia hosted the 21st Micronesian Presidents’ Summit or MPS in Palikir. Operating under the theme “Paddling Together for a Stronger Micronesia,” FSM President David W Panuelo welcomed Taneti Maamau, president of the Republic of Kiribati, Surangel S. Whipps Jr., president of the Republic of Palau, Russ Joseph Kun, president...

A visit by United States President Joe Biden to the Pacific this year will significantly push back against China’s inroads in the region, experts say. On Tuesday, Micronesian leaders announced a possible summit with Biden in the Pacific. In a communiqué released at the 21st Micronesian Presidents' Summit, the leaders expressed their “full support and co-operation to ensure the success of...

UNCTAD sets out the policy actions needed for more people in the region to benefit from digital technologies. UNCTAD published the first Pacific edition of its Digital Economy Report on 16 February. It’s the first in-depth research report on the digital economy in the Pacific, examining opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in the region. Digital technologies and e-commerce have the potential...

The Western Force went down fighting against an entertaining Fijian Drua. Spink and Williams impressing for the full 80, navigating space and powering through persistent defence. The high-scoring contest finished with the Force going down by 10 (48-38) on a still Brisbane night. The result was an improvement on the first trial match against the Reds. Although errors caused by ill-discipline...

Fijian 7s Coach Ben Gollings has included four debutantes in his 13-member squad for Los Angeles and Vancouver tournaments. Army duo, Anasa Qaranivalu and Rokoua Rasaku, Police forward Alusio Vakadranu and Uluinakau utility Ponipate Loganimasi have booked their place to Los Angeles 7s. Gollings said “We needed a little bit of shakeup and bringing new energy into the squad, something we...

Ilaoa &To'omata have flown under the radar but see themselves as dark horses for the Oceania Champions League qualifying tournament starting in Apia Samoa on Saturday. The American Samoan champions are competing in an OFC Champions League competition for the first time having played 20 matches and going unbeaten with 17 wins and three draws. Coach Steffany Godinet says only five...

The decision on whether Fiji Opposition Leader Voreqe Bainimarama will remain as a Member of Parliament hangs in the balance. Today, outside Parliament, senior members of the party opted not to comment about who will lead the party in Parliament should Bainimarama lose his seat in Parliament through a suspension. Inia Seruiratu, a former Minister and Leader in the previous government...

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i Samoa’s police chief wants the Pacific island country’s government to repeal a criminal libel law that has been criticised as a tool for harassing the media and a waste of police resources. Initially repealed in 2013, the law was reinstated in 2017 by the government of Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi after local media and anonymous social media accounts...