PINA

Australian foreign affairs minister Marise Payne has denounced the “secret” terms of China’s security deal with Solomon Islands, while insisting “no document signed and kept away from public view” would change Australia’s commitment to answering Pacific countries’ needs. The foreign affairs minister said the agreement was “not transparent” – unlike Australia’s existing security treaty with Solomon Islands – and was...

Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will visit two Central Asian countries, Mongolia and two Pacific island nations, the Japanese government said Thursday, as Tokyo seeks cooperation in responding to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and other issues. Hayashi will first make a five-day trip through Monday, visiting Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia. Then he will make a three-day tour from 06 May...

Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the first time on Thursday at the Istana, where they reaffirmed the warm relations between the two countries. Home to a population of around 11,000 people, the Pacific island nation made up of nine small islands has drawn global attention to its battle against rising sea levels. The highest...

One of China's largest defence and aerospace companies promised to upgrade almost three dozen airstrips in Solomon Islands as part of an ambitious plan to transform the Pacific Island country into an ‘aeronautical hub” for the region. In return, the Solomon Islands government said it would purchase six aircraft from AVIC Commercial Aircraft, a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned defence...

By William Kadi and DIrk Heinz We have watched these past few weeks as the evolving situation surrounding the Solomon Islands/China security pact has unfolded. It appears that every journalist and political commentator is suddenly an expert in the Solomon Islands. We would be surprised if half of them even knew where the Solomon Islands was before the first rumblings...

The Melbourne Rebels are preparing for a physical encounter with Moana Pasifika, looking to keep their finals dream alive. The Rebels enter Saturday's clash with the Super Rugby newcomers eager to avenge Sunday's crushing defeat to the Crusaders as part of Super Round. Catch every game of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial...

Fijian Drua Head Coach Mick Byrne has announced his line-up for the historic first homecoming match at ANZ Stadium Suva, as the men from Fiji take on the Highlanders from New Zealand. It’s the first time in six months for majority of the players to return home for a chance to play in front of family and fans in the...

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are increasingly concerned for more than 1 million people in Pacific nations as they struggle with their first major wave of COVID-19 fuelled by the Omicron variants. Ramping up vaccinations is vital as the rapid surge in COVID infections is causing increasing death and illness in countries with low immunisation...

Freesoul Real Estate Development Limited has been fined $1million (US$500,000) by Fiji’s High Court in Suva for two counts of undertaking unauthorised developments at Malolo Island in 2018. The charges against Freesoul relate to the failure to comply with a prohibition notice issued by Fiji Department of Environment in June 2018 and carrying out of resort development activity in Malolo...

Australia will resist sending soldiers and police to Solomon Islands if they are forced to operate alongside Chinese security personnel as concern grows that Beijing will deploy brutal and repressive tactics in the Pacific island nation. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews on Wednesday warned it was “very likely” China would attempt to send troops to Solomon Islands, while also claiming...