PINA

Reports allege the prime minister-elect has nominated people who were not Members of Parliament for his new cabinet. Kaniva News reported last week that the King was expected to appoint the new Cabinet this week, according to the Prime Minister-designate. The number of nobility MPs, previously claimed to be three in the new Cabinet, now allegedly dropped to only one. The latest...

President Surangel Whipps Jr., during his second inaugural address in Ngerulmud on Thursday, laid out an ambitious vision for Palau, emphasising unity, self-reliance, and sustainability. Marking 30 years since the establishment of Palau’s constitutional government, Whipps called on citizens to preserve their cultural heritage while adapting to a rapidly evolving global landscape. “Together, we have faced storms, disease, conflicts, and...

On Port Vila's waterfront, a lonely Christmas tree stands out among the red-flowering poinciana which line the boulevard. Standing on overgrown grass, with faded baubles, its presence long after the holiday is a reminder of Vanuatu's lost festive season. It is now a month on from the monster 7.3-magnitude earthquake which rattled the Pacific nation, crumbling buildings, killing at least 14...

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s Head Coach Osea Kolinisau has named his 13-member squad to the Perth 7s this weekend. Making a return to the fold for his second HSBC 7s Series is 23-year-old youngster Sakiusa Siqila, who last played in the Madrid 7s a year ago. Adding to the squad’s strength is lanky forward Joseva Talacolo, who has made a...

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has terminated 13 Associate Ministers who signed a letter of no confidence in her leadership. On Monday this week, Mataafa sacked three of her Cabinet ministers who no longer had confidence in her leadership. On Wednesday evening, the FAST Party resolved to expel Fiame, the Deputy Prime Minister and four other Cabinet Ministers as members of...

La’auli Leuatea Schmidt was appointed the leader of the ruling party Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) in a swift move to replace Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa who was removed from the party. Laauli is also the party chairman. Mataafa was removed by the 20 FAST members who met on Wednesday night. The new executive appointment is confirmed in a...

By Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson and Junior S. Ami With just over a year left in her tenure as Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa faces a political upheaval threatening a peaceful end to her term. Ironically, the rule of law — the very principle that elevated her to power — has now become the source of significant challenges within...

By Doug Dingwall and Vanuatu reporter Leah Lowonbu in Port Vila Dressmaker Jenny Banga is busy trying to put food on the table after the deadly magnitude-7.3 earthquake that struck Vanuatu last month. While the capital Port Vila's CBD is closed and surveyors assess building damage, her shop is off-limits. Ahead of national elections Thursday, her mind is on other things than...

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa is ready to face constitutional processes and procedures over questions of confidence in her leadership. In a statement distributed to the media at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Convention Centre on Tuesday, the government leader is steadfast in following the rule of law. “Disregarding the rule of law will undoubtedly have far-reaching negative impacts on...

In a country where trust in the police is already fragile, bringing in more weapons won’t help.  By Sheridan Ward Solomon Islands is one of 26 nations in the world without a standing military. Yet the Pacific nation is also one of only two non-militarised countries – alongside Haití – to experience armed conflict. Solomon Islands offers a cautionary tale...