PINA

Papua New Guinea has launched a bid to join the NRL as the competition’s 18th team in the next broadcast cycle, receiving the backing of the country’s prime minister. As the NRL awaits the introduction of the Dolphins as the 17th team next year, Papua New Guinea has put its hand up for the license of the 18th club. The PNG...

Fijian Drua prop Samu Tawake believes the work of Head of Athletics Performance Nacani Cawanibuka is slowly showing on the field. Tawake who came off the bench last week against the Highlanders says they’re now competing for 80 minutes and they’re adapting quickly to the pace of Super Rugby. He says they’ve been put under the situation by Cawanibuka in the...

The Fiji High Court has granted an application to seize Russian superyacht Amadea berthed at the Lautoka wharf. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution applied to register a US warrant against the vessel which is owned by Russian billionaire Suleiman Kherimov. Following the ruling this afternoon, defence lawyer Faizal Haniff informed the court that he will be filing an...

Some Pacific island nations have been left walking a geopolitical tightrope in their response to the war in Ukraine, as they try to balance regional alliances with both the west and China and Russia. Comments by Russian president Vladimir Putin, which many have interpreted as thinly veiled threats about the potential use of nuclear weapons have also touched a nerve...

Fiji's Opposition MP Niko Nawaikula has been found guilty of one count of giving false information to a public servant and one count of obtaining a financial advantage. The matter was called before High Court Judge Justice Dr Thushara Kumarage in the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court at Suva for judgment today. In his judgment Justice Kumarage said Nawaikula falsely...

More than 5,500 jobs are set to be created with the construction of a major tuna processing plant in Solomon Islands that will provide economic security for the Pacific Islands nation and its people into the future. The Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant, to be built under a public-private partnership (PPP), is also expected to generate up to US$40 million...

On 03 May every year, media workers here in the Pacific and across the globe come together to reflect on issues of press freedom and professional ethics. This year, UNESCO set “Journalism Under Siege” as the theme of celebrations, in recognition of the many digital threats media workers are faced with daily. While digital technologies and social media have presented...

On 03 May, the Palau Media Council celebrates journalists' critical role worldwide. The World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity for smaller newsrooms like what we have in Palau to highlight the need for independent local journalism. The Palau Media Council, with membership open to media practitioners residing in the Republic and affiliates from overseas, works to promote and sustain Freedom...

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) is pleased to announce its new Chair, Robert Iroga of the Solomon Islands. Iroga, the former co-chair for Melanesia, takes up the leadership role from outgoing Chair Bernadette Carreon who will continue to serve as Micronesia co Chair alongside the subregional co-chair for Polynesia, Monica Miller of...

Anyone caught with an illegal unlicensed firearm in Papua New Guinea, faces life in prison. With nine days to go before the Issue of Writs, Police Commissioner David Manning says there is a two-week amnesty to have all firearms surrendered to police across the country. He reminded the country that the maximum penalty for uncontrolled usage and ownership of firearms is...