PINA

The Pacific Islands Forum is torn between competing influences. This will have consequences for the Forum’s cohesion. By Professor Stephanie Lawson Just a few years ago, Oceania’s premiere regional organisation, the Pacific Islands Forum (hereafter “the Forum”) appeared to be going from strength to strength. Under the leadership of Secretary-General, Dame Meg Taylor, in office from 2014-2021, the Forum had...

Host nation Fiji will face Papua New Guinea in the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 final after beating the Solomon Islands 3-1 in front of a passionate home crowd at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Cema Nasau’s first-half double and Luisa Tamanitoakula’s second-half finish secured the semi-final triumph for the Kulas, after Ileen Pegi’s penalty had given the Solomon...

Papua New Guinea are into the final of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 after beating Samoa 3-0 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji. Meagen Gunemba’s two second-half goals, either side of Samoa having a penalty saved, secured the win after Charlie Yanding had given PNG a first-half lead. While Samoa were intent on playing out from the back,...

The Commonwealth Games hold a special place for Tuvalu athletes, whose sportspeople rarely get the chance to compete on a global stage. Tuvalu's National Olympic Commitee secretary general, Elu Tataua, who is accompanying the country's six athletes to England, said it's a privilege to take part. “It means alot to all us, coming from a very small country to compete in...

New South Wales star Jarome Luai has confirmed he’ll play for Samoa at the World Cup this year. Luai joins his Panthers and Blues teammate Brian To’o in committing to Samoa, while Queensland and Raiders star Josh Papalii is expected to follow suit. All three have previously played for Samoa but were in contention for Kangaroos selection. “I am going to play...

Defence chiefs from across the Indo-Pacific gathered this week to bolster their connections against a backdrop of China’s ongoing campaign to expand its influence and military presence in the region. General Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the military leaders meeting for three days in Sydney are focused on “the whole situation with the rise...

-Papua New Guinea Governor General,Sir Bob Dadae has accepted the extension of the Return of Writs to 12 August, 2022 at 4pm. The Governor General said, he accepts that it would be impossible to have all the Writs returned on 29 July, 2022, the proposed date of the Return of Writs, which is on Friday this week. “It would be impossible...

After a long and challenging two years and four months, Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has announced Cabinet’s decision to lift the proclamation of State of Emergency over Samoa. Samoa first declared it was under a Covid-19 State of Emergency in March 2020. The Government had been renewing the SOE Orders each month for the past two years and the...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister has accused the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) of deviating from its purpose of uniting the country. Manasseh Sogavare made this statement when explaining the government’s decision behind the omitting SIBC as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) recently. Responding to a question from the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Tuesday, Sogavare said SIBC is a statutory body and...

The massacre of 18 people in the Highlands confirmed fears that an outdated electoral roll and lack of security could lead to trouble Voting in Papua New Guinea’s elections has been overshadowed by outbreaks of violence including the massacre of 18 people in the Highlands and a group of men attacking people with machetes outside a counting centre in Port...