PINA

Four players who have been out of action for the Fijian Drua due to injuries may return this week. Kitione Taliga, Meli Derenalagi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Isoa Nasilasila are expected to be eligible for selection against the Waratahs. Taliga is yet to play in the Super Rugby Pacific for the Drua. The four are back training according to Head Coach Mick Byrne. Byrne...

The Papua New Guinea Kumuls will head into this year’s Rugby League World Cup with a new mentor following confirmation by Michael Marum that he will not re-apply for the role of head coach. Confirming the end of his eight-year reign, Marum told The National that he was considering contesting a seat in his native East New Britain (ENB) in...

Weightlifter Don Opeloge has taken top spot in the 2022 Oceania Online Cup to become the best male lifter in the region with his brother Jack coming second. His brother Jack’s second placing in the regional tournament rounded off a weekend of success for the Opeloge family and Samoa, after Feagaiga Stowers took out the best overall female lifter award...

Solomon Islands' Opposition Leader claims he warned Australian officials last year that China was negotiating a military pact which could see a base established on the strategically located Pacific nation. News of the draft agreement is causing growing concern across the region and one analyst is warning Beijing could soon also gain a foothold in Papua New Guinea. In an interview...

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says there is “very little” reason for China to station military forces on the Solomon Islands, describing developments as “gravely concerning”. A draft agreement - leaked online - indicated Solomon Islands would allow Beijing to send military forces there and make regular ship visits. The New Zealand and Australian governments have both expressed concern...

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia respects the sovereignty of individual Pacific Island states but will work with partners “to ensure there is a keen understanding of the risks and threats” the draft security deal between the Solomon Islands and China poses. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there is “great concern” across the Pacific family in the wake of China’s...

Opinion by Mihai Sora A leaked draft security agreement being negotiated between China and Solomon Islands could have security implications for the whole Pacific. The draft document sets out a broad framework covering Chinese “police, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces” deployments to Solomon Islands. The agreement also allows China, with the consent of Solomon...

Timor-Leste is headed for a run-off presidential election after Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta failed to secure more than 50 percent of the vote, despite a commanding lead over a fellow former independence fighter, incumbent President Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres. Ramos-Horta received 46.6 per cent of the vote in last week's election and Guterres got 22.1 percent, according to...

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for Fiji this week, her first trip to the Pacific since announcing New Zealand’s Pacific Resilience approach last year. “This visit is an important step in reconnecting Aotearoa New Zealand with our Pacific whanaunga, and an opportunity to engage on key issues facing our region,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “As our largest Pacific trading...

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia has been adequately supporting the Solomon Islands amid growing concern over the Pacific nation signing a policing deal with China. The leaked draft deal between the two nations would allow for Chinese ships to be based in the Pacific, as well as have a navy base less than 2000 kilometres off Australia's coast. In a...