PINA

With King Charles and Queen Camilla on their way, Samoa prepares for a royal visit and a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government. Against the backdrop of this year’s Teuila Festival Samoans have been busy sprucing up the capital in readiness for next month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, known as CHOGM. Held every two years, the last general meeting was...

Fiji’s Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu has assured the public that there is no need for concern following the recent release of 2000 coup leader George Speight and mutiny leader Shane Stevens. Speaking on FBC TV’s “Your Voice,” ACP Driu states that t the situation is under control and well-managed. He is urging Fijians to remain calm, stating that...

The decision to pardon coup prisoner George Speight and former CRW leader Shane Stevens or any other prisoner has been carried out without any arbitrary or political motivation. This was the assurance from the Mercy Commission as it reiterated and clarified the purpose of pardoning prisoners, following mixed reactions from the public with the release of Speight and Stevens. In acknowledging...

A recent online opinion poll conducted in the Cook Islands revealed that 66 per cent of residents oppose deep sea mining, while 49 percent disapprove of exploration. The government regulator overseeing seabed minerals activities in the Cook Islands rejected the poll result saying that the methodology was flawed and “did not fully capture the breadth of the public’s views on...

By Catherine Wilson Parliamentary representation by women in Pacific Island countries remains stubbornly low at 8.4 percent. Yet women leaders across the region have been meeting every year for the past four decades to discuss goals and drive action to address gender inequality and the most pressing development challenges in the Pacific. One of the critical issues discussed at the 15th...

Fiji put in a dominant second-half performance to silence the Hanazono Rugby Stadium crowd and claim a record-stretching sixth Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title. Home hopes were raised when Japan centre Dylan Riley scored a brilliant solo try at the end of the first quarter of the final, but Fiji responded in emphatic fashion. Vuate Karawalevu (twice), Ponipate Loganimasi...

Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa has dismissed suggestions that the Forum’s latest communique is one of the least effective in its history, particularly due to the omission of a “climate crisis” declaration. Critics argue that this could hinder the region’s efforts to secure much-needed climate financing, but Waqa insists that the issue remains a top priority for Pacific leaders. “Accessing climate...

Fiji's Opposition MP Ketan Lal says he has continued to receive countless heartfelt messages from Fijians who are deeply saddened and disappointed by the recent statement by the Mercy Commission, on pardoning the leader of the 2000 Coup, George Speight. In a statement, Lal said this decision has reopened old wounds for those who suffered loss – whether it be...

A Papua New Guinean minister has delivered scathing criticism of Australia's aid programme, warning of funds being “wasted” as the Australian government outlines its plan for development assistance in PNG over the next five years. PNG's Minister for National Planning Ano Pala raised the issue of “boomerang aid” and development inefficiencies at an event in Port Moresby on Thursday night. The...

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has referred the matter against its Commissioner Barbara Malimali to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) for further assessment. Malimali, who is now the head of FICAC had a complaint filed against her for alleged abuse of office when she was the chair of the Electoral Commission of Fiji (ECF). This comes...