PINA

The Chinese government has pledged to build a national narcotics laboratory in the country to boost the capability of the Royal PNG Constabulary amidst growing transnational organised criminal activities in the country. The transitional crime network has already created threats on the PNG sea borders and in the Pacific, whether it is drug trafficking, people smuggling, environmental crimes or cybercrime. Chinese...

The internationally known Vailima beer and other Vailima products may after all continue to be produced in Samoa. Samoa Breweries Ltd (SBL) Tuesday announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been reached with Charlie Va’ai and Beatrice Ott to produce Vailima in Samoa. “It’s always been our strong preference to keep the production of Vailima in Samoa,” says Paradise Beverages...

Following nine months of pulsating action the destination of men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 title will be decided in Los Angeles this weekend. Argentina, Australia, Fiji and South Africa each head into the final tournament of the season with a shot at walking away as champions. South Africa currently lead the standings with 124 points, two clear of Australia,...

Tonga faces continual challenges and is extremely vulnerable to the existential threat of climate change and climate disasters, the Minister for Foreign Affairs told Commonwealth counterparts in Canada. “We must urgently invest in more disaster risk preparedness,” Fekita 'Utoikamanu told the CPA Small Branches Network in Halifax, Canada. She was speaking on a panel, addressing Disaster Risk Preparedness for Small Jurisdictions,...

Samoa's Legislative Assembly this morning reappointed Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II as the Head of State for a second term of five years. The announcement came from the Speaker of the House, Papalii Lio Masipau informing Parliament of the notice from the Government to support the re-election of Tuimalealiifano. Tuimalealiifano had his first term in office extended in late July this year...

The former Vanuatu Leader of the Opposition, Ralph Regenvanu, has labelled the decision of the Council of Ministers (COM) to request the President to dissolve Parliament as grossly irresponsible and reckless. Regenvanu says that COM's decision to dissolve Parliament only halfway through its term, as well as being a totally selfish and self-serving act, also demonstrates their complete disregard for...

A potential sale to Chinese interests, of the privately owned Conflict Islands – which lie in the Coral Sea off Australia's east coast – would put our national security at risk, according to defence experts. Retired Australian businessman Ian Gowrie-Smith is placing his group of 21 atolls in Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Province on the open market. The Conflict Islands...

New assessment says Kiribati vulnerable to coastal flooding and erosion and identifies investments and recommendations to protect coastal communities. The Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Developments, the Stimson Centre, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, through Commonwealth Blue Charter programme, Monday announced completion of a rapid assessment of climate and ocean risks and options to address these risks in Tarawa,...

The 27 signatories of the motion of no confidence against Vanuatu caretaker Prime Minister, Bob Loughman, filed Monday in Court their urgent constitutional application on the dissolution of the Parliament by the Head of State, following the advice of the Council of Ministers (COM). Former Leader of the Opposition, Ralph Regenvanu, confirmed that in their submission they are challenging the...

The Nauru Court of Appeal opened Monday and heard its first case in several years, followed by several criminal and civil appeals listed to be heard over the next fortnight with a further session of two weeks allocated to consider refugee appeals. Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake opened the session, 22 August and is...