PINA

An elected Member of the PNG Parliament and Member for Wewak Kevin Eziro Isifu has died early this morning in Port Moresby. Isifu was elected for the second term as Wewak MP in the 2022 National Election, under the United Resources Party banner. NBC News was informed that Isifu died after developing complications from colon cancer. Isifu entered the 10th National Parliament...

The Pacific Games Council (PGC) has praised Solomon Islands for the progress made on venues for the 2023 Pacific Games. PGC President Vidhya Lakhan and chief executive Andrew Minogue visited the country this month to analyse the Games venues. Having visited all venues from Saint Joseph’s Tenaru to Lawson Tama, Lakhan is convinced that preparations of for the Games are on...

The Solomon Islands is better equipped to prepare its athletes for the upcoming SOL2023 PACIFIC GAMES with the appointment of 24 Sport Development Officers (SDOs) for a corresponding number of sports. Speaking online from Palau at the launch and introduction of the 24 SDO’s in Honiara, ONOC Vice-President Baklai Temengil-Chilton said, "The ONOC and the Pacific Games Council (PGC) partnership...

Plans to hold a referendum in New Caledonia next year on a new statute for the territory are being abandoned. The French Junior Overseas Minister, Jean-Francois Carenco, told the television station Caledonia that there will be no referendum in July. Carenco said a vote will happen once everybody is ready, noting that there has been no dialogue for two years to...

Deep sea mining could begin in the Pacific as early as this month after a shock decision from regulators to allow The Metals Company to start mining the seafloor. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has granted permission to Nauru Oceans Resources Incorporated (NORI) to begin exploratory mining in the Clarion Clipperton Zone between Hawai’i and Mexico. NORI is a subsidiary...

Japan, the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand are arranging a meeting of their foreign ministers in New York to support Pacific Island nations, in tandem with the UN General Assembly late this month, it has been learned. China is expanding its influence over Pacific Island nations through economic assistance, and the five countries aim to counter these moves...

Japan and Taiwan's Pacific ally Palau on Friday underscored the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait while reaffirming their opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio held a meeting in Tokyo with visiting Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr on Friday, after which they issued a joint...

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook Papua New Guinea, damaging buildings, triggering landslides and killing at least five people. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at a depth of 61km (38 miles), about 67km (41 miles) from the eastern town of Kainantu, on Sunday morning. Local member of parliament Kessy Sawang said at least two people were killed in...

- The Vanuatu Supreme Court has dismissed the urgent constitutional application of the 27 signatories of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Bob Loughman. Chief Justice Vincent Lanabek said that there were two issues that the Court identified which had to be determined by the court. He said the first issue is that there was a Council of Ministers' (COM) advice...

The leaders of nations and territories across the Pacific will be gathering from 12-14 September for the 12th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL), titled “Puʻuhonua: The Pacific Way Forward.” Founded in 1980, the summit provides a rare opportunity for island leaders from the North and South Pacific, regardless of political status, to come together as equals to discuss and...