PINA

The Fijian Parliament is set to appoint the nation’s next President on Thursday, 31 October 2024, following the endorsement of the Business Committee. Current President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere is expected to be reappointed for another term. “The Parliament sitting will take place at 11:00 am,” Speaker Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu announced in a statement. The Speaker, currently leading a Fijian delegation at the...

By Kaya Barry and Robert Mason Marking the 30th anniversary of the National Recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders, two exhibitions in Queensland celebrate the enduring presence of Pacific communities in Australia and the vital contributions of migrants to Australian society, while emphasising ongoing connections to the Pacific region. The Australian government first recognised Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct...

The Samoa Minister of Sports and Recreation (MSR) will be co-facilitating the annual World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Oceania Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport (OMMADS) later this month in Apia. The confirmation was announced in a Press Release from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation reiterating the meeting to take place on 29th October 2024 at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel. The...

Fiji 7s legend Waisale Serevi is currently admitted in India with chest pains. Serevi, who is the head coach of the India men’s and women’s 7s team and guided the women to win a silver medal at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy in Nepal was rushed to hospital on 10 October. Rugby India in a social media post stated: “We...

New Zealand’s defense minister issued stinging rebukes of what she said were “vile” and “misogynistic” online remarks by “armchair admirals” about the woman captain of a navy ship that ran aground, caught fire and sank off the coast of Samoa. “Seriously, it’s 2024,” Judith Collins told reporters Thursday. “What the hell’s going on here?” After days of comments on social media...

In the lead-up to the Commonwealth Leaders’ Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this month, Pacific Ocean Commissioner Filimon Manoni asserts that Pacific Island countries and territories have not been “sitting on our laurels” when stewarding the health and protection of the region’s vast ocean and marine life. “As stewards of one-third of the Earth’s surface, we understand the health of the...

Marshall Islands was elected on Wednesday to sit on the United Nations Human Rights Council from next year, with climate change and nuclear justice as its top priorities. Currently there are no Pacific Island nations represented on the 47-member peak UN human rights body. Marshall Islands stood with the full backing of the Pacific Islands Forum and its 18 presidents and...

By Tony Hiriasia Jr Fiji defeated the Solomon Islands 1-0 in a hard-fought Oceania Football World Cup qualifiers match at the national stadium in Suva last night. Supporters from both countries showed up in numbers to witness the thrilling showdown. From the first whistle Fiji showed their true intentions, with their high-pressing tactics to disrupt the Solomon Islands build-up play from...

The Pacific's eastern islands can expect an usual or below-par cyclone season, according to New Zealand's climate and forecasting agencies. On Wednesday, NIWA and MetService released their modelling for the upcoming tropical cyclone season which runs from November to April. It is a milder projection for six to 10 cyclones overall, compared with last year's outlook which tipped nine to 14. Solomon...

The critical role of Indigenous peoples in addressing the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution was recognised at the inaugural Global Nature Positive Summit (GNPS) held in Sydney this week. Hosted by Australia, the event has brought together leaders from government, business, academia, environmental organisations, and Indigenous communities to accelerate global efforts toward nature-positive outcomes. Six...