PINA

Australia considers itself the economic and security guardian of the Pacific region. But increasingly China has ambitions to further its interests among island nations. This week, Pat Conroy, Australia’s minister for International Development and the Pacific, who is also the Defense Industry minister, visited East Timor and Nauru. He said in a statement that his trip was “to further strengthen our deep...

It’s a significant milestone for Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) with eight referees receiving their FIFA accreditation for 2024, in a ceremony held last week. The group includes two centre referees, three assistant referees, two futsal referees and a beach soccer referee. Among the list of referees, presented by FIFA, is the country’s first female centre referee, Shama Mamae, who formally...

Ronna Lee Galumalemana is the new CEO at Football Federation Samoa. She replaces Acting CEO Pelenatete Taei and will officially start her role on February 19 at the conclusion of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament -Oceania Qualifier which is being hosted in Samoa. “Galumalemana is vastly experienced in Administration, Training and Development, Management, Media and Marketing and has a strong business...

Solomon Islands estimated 400,000 registered voters will go to the poll on Wednesday 17th April this year. The date was approved by a recent meeting of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission , it was confirmed. According to the timetable for electioneering activities, believed to have been sent to Government House, the Governor General is due to make the declaration for the...

Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister has reaffirmed close security ties with Australia following a report that the Pacific island country – recently rocked by riots and looting – was considering a policing and security cooperation agreement with China. Justin Tkatchenko, who temporarily stepped aside as foreign minister last year after calling some Papua New Guineans “primitive animals,” said Tuesday in...

Australia is the “security partner of choice”for neighbouring Papua New Guinea (PNG), Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday, after the biggest Pacific Island nation said China was seeking a policing and security deal. Major trade partner China approached PNG in September with an offer to assist its police force with training, equipment and surveillance technology, PNG Foreign Minister Justin...

Transparency International says the latest Corruption Perception Index shows another year of "little to no meaningful progress" towards curbing corruption in the Asia-Pacific region. Transparency International has released its 2023 report, based on a points system, and Denmark, Finland and New Zealand top the list. Other than New Zealand and Australia, Fiji is the highest-ranked Pacific country, coming in 53rd. Fiji has...

Vanuatu leader of Opposition and Member of Parliament for Port Vila, Ishmael Kalsakau, has raised concerns, stating that the Government of National Unity (GNU) is no longer intact. He said national unity involves everyone working together, which was advocated by the Head of State last year during a meeting with the political leaders. In a press conference held recently by the...

Fiji's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka will participate in the 3rd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels, Belgium this week. At the Ministerial Forum, the Prime Minister will contribute to discussions on economic, environmental, geopolitical, and security challenges affecting the European Union and the Indo-Pacific regions. Chaired by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs...

Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board chair, Peter Mazey says decisions regarding the national 7s coaching staff would involve comprehensive discussions with all stakeholders, including players and support staff. In response to recent media reports suggesting the possible removal of 7s head coach Ben Gollings, Mazey has issued a clarification to dispel any misconceptions affecting players and the public. The clarification...