PINA

The curious case of Suliasi Vunivalu has taken an intriguing new twist after Wallabies coach Eddie Jones name-dropped the former Storm winger in an interview this week. The Wallabies appeared to have given up on Vunivalu when he was left off Dave Rennie’s extended squad last month, with the former Wallabies coach opting for Andrew Kellaway, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia,...

A month before national elections in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), President David W. Panuelo has visited Washington to lobby and secure top-line funding support for the FSM under the Compact of Free Association. The eleventh hour trip was to ensure the U.S Executive branch include FSM's request in its annual budget submission to the U.S Congress in early...

Fiji's Cabinet approved an Agreement with the Government of New Zealand on cooperation in the field of defence and the status of visiting forces, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Fiji and New Zealand share a history of strong ties encompassing heritage, culture, sports, business and education. This reflects a common Pacific identity and strong people-to-people links. The Agreement approved by Cabinet...

Papua New Guinea has maintained its place as a highly corrupt country on the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Report, this time dropping one point down to a low 30 out of 180 countries. Apart from this one-point drop, PNG also ranks 13 points lower than the global average of 43 and 15 points lower in the Asia Pacific regional average. Meanwhile, other...

The Federated States of Micronesia's Supreme Court has found two of its nationals guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conflict of interest, in a case involving an unlawful international shipping registry set up in FSM's name. A government statement said Martin Jano, an FSM citizen and a lawyer was found guilty on the conspiracy to commit money laundering...

The Fiji Cabinet has agreed that potential areas of supportive collaboration be explored between the Kiribati Fisheries Ministry and Fiji's Fisheries Ministry says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. As a chain of 33 low-lying atoll islands, Kiribati is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, impacts of climate change and other natural and manmade factors. Kiribati is also resource-rich especially in fisheries. In a government...

Fiji's suspended Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem has resigned. It is understood that he sent his resignation to President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere Tuesday. He was suspended on full pay by Ratu Wiliame on 19 January, for allegations of misbehaviour which the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) had received. Section 137(4) of the Fijian Constitution states that the President may suspend a person from...

The European Union (EU) has given a further 18 months’ extension to allow time for the Vanuatu Government to complete reforming its Citizenship Programme. This follows a letter from Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau seeking a six months’ extension. The 18 months’ extension will end on the 3rd of August 2024. The EU Council made this decision on the 1st of December...

-The Australian foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, is calling on all countries to play their part to prevent a “catastrophic” war in the Indo-Pacific region. Amid increasing tensions between the U.S and China, Wong warned in London on Tuesday that the region was becoming “more dangerous and volatile”. She also welcomed the UK’s increased involvement in the Indo-Pacific despite the ongoing...

The influential negotiating bloc of small island developing States will now be headed by a Pacific country, commemorated during the official handover from the outgoing Chair, Antigua and Barbuda. At a special Plenary meeting on Monday 30th January 2023 featuring the official handover ceremony, the reigns of leadership of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) were handed over by...