PINA

It will cost the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission around K5 million (US$1.4 million to hold by-elections next year for the three seats left vacant, two by the deaths of MPs, says commissioner Simon Sinai. He told The National that a budget proposal of not more K5 million (US$1.4 million) to run the by-elections for the three seats has already...

-Political parties and independent candidates throughout Vanuatu held their rallies in their respective constituencies to close their campaigns last night. Under election rules, political campaigns have to stop 72 hours before polling day. Following the number the candidates, over 100 rallies were witnessed by members of the public in the various constituencies. A total of 219 candidates are racing for the 52...

Fiji’s largest Christian denomination, the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma is apolitical. President, Reverend Ili Vunisuwai has reiterated this saying that the church is not affiliated to any political party. “We have a church policy regarding politics. First of all, any minister who wants to join politics must resign. Secondly, the church as a whole is not affiliated to any...

Marking the 20th World Day Against the Death Penalty, two UN-appointed independent human rights experts on Monday issued a statement recalling that under international law, capital punishment is permitted only “in very limited circumstances”. “The reality remains that in practice it is almost impossible for States to impose capital punishment while meeting their obligations to respect the human rights of...

By Sanjeshni Kumar The Pacific Community (SPC) is supporting the region's transition to climate friendly and cleaner energy as fuel prices continue to rise globally. “Our world is facing an energy crisis, the cost of fuel has skyrocketed globally, and we in the Pacific are not immune to the shocks of increasing costs,” said Mereseini Rakuita, SPC Principal Strategic Lead- Pacific...

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus comes into force today, 60 days after Vanuatu has notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tonga as the depository, on 12 August. Article 9 of Chapter 15 (Final Provision) of the agreement states that the agreement shall enter force for an accession country 60 days after it has notified the...

If rising seas engulf the Maldives and Tuvalu, will those countries be wiped off the map? And what happens to their citizens? The prospect is no longer science fiction as global warming gathers pace, posing an unprecedented challenge to the international community, and threatening entire peoples with the loss of their land and identity. “This is the biggest tragedy that a...

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont Monday officially opened the Fijian Drua’s home base. The opening was done in the presence of Fijian Government leaders, World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin, stakeholders, sponsors, staff and Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players. Located on Voivoi Road, Legalega Industrial Area in Nadi, the Fijian Drua Home Base will house high performance and recreational facilities...

Fijian Prime Minister and Fiji Rugby Union President Voreqe Bainimarama has met with the World Rugby Chairman Sir William (Bill) Blackledge Beaumont, in Nadi. In welcoming Sir Bill back to our shores after his last visit in 2016, Prime Minister Bainimarama conveyed the Fijian Government and the people of Fiji's appreciation to the World Rugby Chairman for his support to...

Heads of government haven’t been invited to attend an important biodiversity summit in Canada, raising concerns nature is slipping down the global agenda amid fraught geopolitical relations. The biodiversity conference, or Cop15, is a moment for countries to agree on a global framework to halt the destruction of nature by the end of this decade. Negotiators meet in Montreal, Canada,...