PINA

An upcoming referendum in Vanuatu to outlaw political-party hopping by legislators has sparked lively debate in the Pacific island country, which has faced three changes of government in the past year. Dissatisfaction with political instability and a fast-rising cost of living is widespread in the archipelago nation of more than 300,000 people. But there are also concerns that outlawing changes...

Tuvaluan members of parliament are likely to elect a new prime minister on Friday (23 Feb) according to a senior electoral official, and a frontrunner has reportedly emerged. Senior electoral officer Semi Malaki told the ABC that a vote is likely to occur by Friday or shortly after, as bad weather that prevented elected members of parliament from traveling to...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has clarified Fiji’s position on the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution titled: “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Rabuka said Fiji’s intended presentation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague specifically responds to the December 2022 United Nations General...

The NSW Rugby League has set their sights on fielding teams from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in their main competition as part of the game's push into the Pacific. The code's Pacific expansion remains a key talking point with Papua New Guinea firming to enter the NRL from as early as 2026 or 2027. Fiji will take another step towards following...

The best 12 men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams in the world have arrived in Vancouver, Canada for the highly anticipated fourth round of HSBC SVNS 2024. Some of the world’s fittest and fastest Olympic athletes will battle it out over three days of intense, non-stop rugby sevens action in front of a famously noisy and vibrant crowd under the...

The Papua New Guinea Government has given notice to amend Section 145 of the Constitution on motions of no confidence. Prime Minister James Marape told The National that the proposed amendment would insert a subsection allowing for a restart to the 18-month grace period, should a motion of no confidence failed. He said the amendment would not stop a motion of...

As the Fiji Police Force tries its best to uncover those involved in the illicit drug trade, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander affirmed the military’s willingness to assist within legal limitations. Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai has expressed deep concerns about the increasing presence of illicit drugs particularly involving children. Following the recent massive seizures of methamphetamine in...

By Nic Maclellan On 01 March 1954, the U.S government exploded a thermonuclear weapon on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, codenamed Bravo. The test had an explosive yield of nearly 15 megatons, a thousand times more powerful than the U.S atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. This year, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) will hold ceremonies on 01 March...

Militants and protesters clashed with police in downtown Nouméa on Wednesday as New Caledonia plays host to three French government ministers this week. The crowd - an estimated 2,000 according to organisers, 500 according to police - had been called to voice their opposition to a French-planned constitutional amendment process which would include the modification of New Caledonia's electoral roll...

Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) soldiers have been given powers to arrest, and discharge their weapons to protect innocent lives and properties. Police Commissioner David Manning made this announcement in Wabag, Enga Province when attending to the massacre of more than 50 men killed in a violent tribal warfare on Sunday. “Any further attempt to cause trouble, it will be...