PINA

Representatives from Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Japan, Kiribati, Nauru and the United States of America met Wednesday to push forward the delivery of the East Micronesia Cable project. This project, supported by Australia, Japan and the United States, will build an undersea cable to connect the state of Kosrae in FSM, Tarawa in Kiribati, and Nauru to...

By Stephen Howes Tuesday in Australia’s Parliament the Opposition decided to oppose the supporting legislation to implement the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), an election commitment of the new government to provide permanent residency to 3,000 Pacific islanders per year through a lottery. Shadow Minister for Immigration Dan Tehan gave a lengthy speech prosecuting the Opposition’s case. His main argument was that...

The Fijian Drua has re-signed five backline players beyond the current Super Rugby season. They are Flying Fijians scrum halves Peni Matawalu and Simione Kuruvoli, Tokyo Olympics gold medal winning centre Iosefo Masi, utility Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and flyhalf Caleb Muntz. Fijian Drua General Manager Rugby Nico Andrade welcomed the recommitment made by the five players who are important members of the...

Crusaders prop George Bower is looking forward to playing in front of family and friends when they face the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in Lautoka during Super Rugby Pacific. Bower, born in Wellington and of Fijian descent says if he is named in the team, this will be his first time to play against the Drua. The 30 year old says...

The national radio broadcaster of the Solomon Islands, SIBC, Wednesday signed a contract with New Zealand communications company MMG Communications to build SIBC Television SIBC’s Chairman Dr William Parairato signed the contract with MMG to pave the way for the supply of equipment and eventual installation from June this year. As part of the agreement, MMG will also provide technical...

Southeast Asian and Pacific leaders are hailing an ambitious United Nations treaty to protect ocean life by establishing protected areas in international waters. About 193 countries agreed to the legal framework on Saturday night. It comes as ocean life faces growing threats from climate change, overfishing, shipping traffic and seabed mining on the high seas. “Only one percent of the high...

Fijians are counting themselves “lucky” after escaping the wrath of tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin which barrelled through Vanuatu last weekend. The scale of destruction is becoming clearer as the Vanuatu government assesses damage to homes, buildings, infrastructure and telecommunications. There are no reports of casualties, but power and water are yet to be restored in some areas, including the capital,...

Former Fiji's Prime Minister and suspended Opposition Leader Voreqe Bainimarama has resigned from Parliament. He confirmed this in a live video posted on the FijiFirst Facebook page. “You are aware that two weeks ago I was suspended from Parliament for three years. My suspension means that FijiFirst numbers in Parliament will go down to 25. “Given the precedent that has been set,...

Australia will stand behind Baron Waqa, the controversial pick as Pacific Islands Forum leader, despite his chequered record as Nauru president. The 63-year-old has been nominated by Micronesian nations to be the next Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) secretary general from next year,PIF nations agreed to his appointment at a special leaders retreat a fortnight ago attended by Foreign Minister Penny...

The Australian federal opposition has ruled out backing a new Pacific visa lottery scheme, labelling it as arbitrary and patronising to the Pacific community at home and abroad. Last month, the government announced plans to establish a new visa class for up to 3,000 people from the Pacific region, giving them a pathway to citizenship and access to benefits such...