PINA

Panthers star Jarome Luai says criticism towards Joseph Suaalii has been “disrespectful” after the teen sensation’s motives were questioned for choosing Samoa over Australia for the World Cup. Suaalii was a certainty to make the Kangaroos squad but told coach Mal Meninga last week that he wanted to represent Samoa instead. The Roosters winger said it was “one of the most...

Leaders of the Pacific Island Forum family convened at the U.S Department of State for the opening of the first-ever US-Pacific Island Country Summit in Washington today. Chair of the Pacific Island Forum and Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, while delivering his address, said this week will be the most significant engagement between the Pacific Islands Forum and the United...

U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Pacific Island nations have agreed to a "new partnership" with the United States ahead of a meeting with President Joe Biden on Friday. Pacific leaders sat down with Mr Blinken and a host of senior officials in Washington on Thursday on the first day of a historic White House summit. The Biden Administration has...

The government of the new Nauru President Russ Kun has been sworn in today and his executive includes 13 members out of the 19 MPs in parliament. Kun retains many of the key portfolios for himself, handling, foreign affairs, police and justice among many others. Stephen Hunt takes on finance, Wanani Dowiyogo has the fishing portfolio and Timothy John Ika will...

A draft joint declaration being negotiated by the United States and Pacific Island countries condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine, flags intensifying American security cooperation with the region and declares climate change is the “highest priority” and “single greatest existential threat” to the Pacific. However, Pacific nations appear to have stripped away a section which seems to take aim at the...

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders begin a milestone summit in Washington this morning, as part of two days of engagement and talanoa with the Biden administration. The sessions will discuss and shape the region's collective partnership with the United States Government, particularly as it reviews and looks to strengthen its engagement in the Pacific region. Framed around the 2050 Strategy for the...

President Joe Biden is hosting Pacific Island leaders for a two-day summit as the U.S looks to counter China’s military and economic influence in the region. Pacific Island leaders, meanwhile, see an even more pressing concern: climate change. Secretary of State Antony Blinken kicked off the summit on Wednesday with a luncheon for the Pacific Island leaders and other senior officials...

-New Zealand has cautiously welcomed a new US-led Pacific agreement, while reminding American diplomats of the primacy of the key issue in the region - climate change - and the Pacific Islands Forum. Pacific nations are heading to the White House this week for a summit with President Joe Biden as the .US looks to regain trust with a region...

After two-years and six-months, Tonga has lifted most of its COVID-19 health restrictions, including that for international travel and the national curfew, effective from 27 September. The border has now fully re-opened, with a requirement for foreign adults to provide proof of vaccination before arrival. The Acting Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, with the CEO of Health, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola and...

Registrations are now open for the ‘Pacific Climate Justice Summit,’ which will be held from the 4th - 5th October 2022. With the theme ‘Securing Climate Justice: From Grassroots Action to Global Traction’, the Summit will bring together a wide range of key actors from grassroots communities, national governments, civil society, faith communities, and development partners to elevate the voices...