PINA

Samoa is considering a proposal to build on their rivalry with England during last year’s Rugby League World Cup after officials agreed to re-open talks about a series in 2024. Rugby League Samoa officials agreed to re-engage with their English counterparts about a series in England at the end of next season following a meeting with International Rugby League chair...

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) President Wesley Simina says his country could be staring down a “fiscal cliff” very soon if the U.S Congress does not approve its Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreement. “If nothing works out, if the U.S Congress does not approve in time, we're faced with a fiscal cliff,” President Simina said. “That means we will...

The new coalition government of National, ACT and New Zealand First will be stable, effective and will deliver for all New Zealanders, National Leader and incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Despite the challenging economic environment, New Zealanders can look forward to a better future because of the changes the new Government will make,” Luxon says. “I said on election night...

Samoa's Prime Minister has used a conference in Rwanda to highlight the values of the fa'asamoa and how they exemplify the spirit of the Commonwealth Charter. In her closing address to the Commonwealth Local Government Forum in Kigali, Rwanda last Friday, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa spoke of Samoa's hosting of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and its theme...

The Fijian Parliament Thursday passed the i-Taukei Affairs (Amendment) Act of 2023 which will see the reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) the highest chiefly political body in the island nation. The GCC was disbanded in 2007 following a military coup by then-prime minister Frank Bainimarama, who accused it of interfering in politics and inciting racial tension. The Bill...

In a historic moment for West Papua, Benny Wenda has expressed his deep honour at being elected President of the ULMWP (United Liberation Movement for West Papua) Provisional Government during the recently concluded Congress in Port Numbay. Edison Waromi, elected as Prime Minister, shares in the joy, and both leaders underscore their commitment to the people's mandate in the pursuit...

Thursday at the Sol2023 Pacific Games Aquatic Centre was another big night with two more Pacific Games records set, 24 medals won, swimming goals achieved and the final races for some. Wesley Roberts of Cook Islands started off the night with a new Pacific Games record, gold, and his personal best time in the men’s 100m freestyle. Taking inspiration from...

Defending champions Papua New Guinea (PNG) were held to a 2-2 draw by New Caledonia in a thrilling Sol2023 Pacific Games group match at SIFF Academy on Thursday evening. PNG took a comfortable lead after 24 minutes through a goal by Ginnimari Wambi. However, Alice Wenessia of New Caledonia netted the equaliser two minutes later. Both teams had equal shares of...

Over 20 countries including New Zealand and Australia have given the green light to lend a hand to the Samoan police in providing security for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024. This was confirmed by the Acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti in an interview with the Samoa Observer on Wednesday saying they are now in the process...

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has announced the winner of the Young Climate Leaders Alliance (PYCLA) written competition. This was announced by Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna. “We organised a contest for Pacific Small Island Developing States to submit their thoughts on Just Transition and the cross-cutting thematic area of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). “We received an enormous number of...