PINA

The Fijian Drua’s journey into the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season received a major boost Wednesday with the Fijian government’s commitment of another $3 million(US$1.5 million). This is part of our government’s $6 million investment to purchase 51 percent of the Fijian Drua’s shareholding rights with $3m paid out in April. Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum officiated at the signing of...

Papua New Guinea Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae, has made a strong appeal to the National Government to reform the electoral process before the 2027 national elections. And he has called for preparations for electronic or biometric voting to be established early. Sir Bob said this was basically to improve the tenet of democracy, restore transparency and ensure future elections are...

Climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific, says Forum Deputy Secretary General Dr Filimon Manoni. While opening the Regional Climate Security Dialogue Wednesday, Dr Manoni said in making the Boe Declaration on Regional Security, Leaders asked that ‘we unify efforts behind one priority cause: securing our sovereignty and...

Papua New Guinea's new Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko has revealed his country is moving to negotiate a security treaty with Australia — and potentially New Zealand — in a move that could have far-reaching strategic implications for the region. While Australia and Papua New Guinea have strong security links, the two countries have never signed a formal treaty. The fact it...

The Fiji Law Society says the proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill before Parliament unnecessarily attacks citizen’s rights to privacy, including legal professional privilege. Society President, Wylie Clarke says the amendment gives power to the Supervisor of Elections to compel any person to provide all or any information or documents on virtually any pretext. He said citizens must hand over information “notwithstanding...

Transparency International PNG has described the accumulated failures in the preparation, conduct, delivery and conclusion of the National General Election as being a severely flawed process. TIPNG in its preliminary findings drawn from its observations of the 2022 National General Election said that the 2022 National General Election was flawed and an immediate action was needed to prepare for the...

The rise in the use of a newly invented weapon called the wire-catapult or “silencer” is a big concern for East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea, says East Sepik Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Albert Beli. The wire-catapult, which the locals call the ‘silencer’, was invented by the people from the Sepik River for fishing purposes but is now...

Pro-independence leader Roch Wamytan has been re-elected President of the Congress of New Caledonia. It is Wamytan's fourth successive term in this position. He received 29 votes in favour of his re-election and told La Premiere it was thanks to Pacific Awakening's support. “First of all, I would like to thank the party Pacific Awakening who have supported us for the fourth...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has clarified misinformation in the international media about the visit by the U.S Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry and HMS Spey. Speaking at a ceremony to welcome the visiting United States Hospital Ship USNS Mercy in Honiara, Sogavare said there had been a delay in the granting of approval for entry into the country...

Samoa Supreme Court has ruled that there is no barrier or obstacle to stop the Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi from resuming their duties as Members of Parliament. Monday’s Supreme Court ruling set aside Parliament’s decision to suspend the MPs indefinitely. The Court noted that Parliament has approved the Committee’s report with respect to liability and penalty. “We...