PINA

America’s military leaders in the Pacific are asking Congress for a surge in funding to keep their edge against China. The request comes in the form of an annual review Indo-Pacific Command sends lawmakers, listing what it thinks is necessary to stay the region’s top military power. Defence News obtained an unclassified copy of this year’s report, which requests around US$26.5...

By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific Senior Journalist The existential threat posed by climate change remains the biggest concern for the new Tuvalu administration. The government is also about to launch a drive to better inform the people about the contents of a treaty with Australia and its leader is firm that the country is not getting into bed with Beijing. These are...

Samoa reaffirms its commitment to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and eliminating barriers, says Samoa Minister for Women Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo. In her country statement, at the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York she said this include ending violence against women and girls...

Papua New Guinea has become the 178th State to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. “A ban on nuclear testing is one of the most useful tools to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons," Izumi Nakamitsu, UN undersecretary general and high representative for Disarmament Affairs, said following Papua New Guinea's ratification of the treaty Wednesday. According to the CTBT Organisation...

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr briefed Palau’s leadership this week on the successful passage of the Compact Review Agreement through the United States Congress. This development marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations and represents a notable achievement for his administration. “Two things, the Compact Agreement funding was double that of the first offer and it passed...

Fiji's Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will be ineligible to contest any General Election until 2032. He was found guilty Thursday of one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice. According to the 2013 Fijian Constitution, individuals are barred from contesting an election if they have been convicted of any offense in the eight years prior to being nominated,...

Analysis by Professor Jon Fraenkel In the Solomon Islands, an election in April will decide whether a Chinese allied prime minister keeps his job. Manasseh Sogavare has taken advantage of urban unrest in the past, but his security partners may be reluctant to assist in future. The Solomon Islands goes to the polls in April 2024. This will be the first...

New Fiji 7s coach Osea Kolinisau wants the national side to dictate the tempo of the game. As the team prepares for the Asian leg of the World Sevens Series starting in Hong Kong 7s, Kolinisau said they want to play a high tempo game that we are known for and that can only be achieved through fitness. The 2016 Olympic...

Former Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended commissioner of police Sitiveni Qiliho were today found guilty and have been convicted accordingly by the High Court in Suva. Acting Chief Justice, Salesi Temo delivered his judgment after Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku filed an appeal against the acquittal of Bainimarama and Qiliho last month. Bainimarama has been convicted for...

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)2024 taskforce has officially unveiled the Samoa CHOGM logo and website for the three-day gathering scheduled for October this year. The event happened Wednesday at the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale Samoa in the presence of the Head of State Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaleto’a Eti Sualauvi II and Masiofo Fa’amausili Leinafo, Ministers of Cabinet and Parliament,...