PINA

The Samoa Appellant Court has ruled that six women should sit in Parliament to meet a constitutionally mandated minimum level of representation. But the inclusion of another woman MP in the Legislative Assembly could be months away until after all election results, including by-elections, are finalised. “Although we have found that 10 per cent means six women in Parliament it remains...

The U.S secretary of state has warned leaders of Pacific countries about “threats to the rules-based international order” and “economic coercion”, in what appears to be a veiled swipe at China’s growing influence in the region. Antony Blinken was addressing leaders and their delegates from 11 Pacific countries and territories including Fiji, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,...

Global talks to reign in global fisheries subsidies are failing to hold big, rich and powerful subsidisers accountable while unfairly shifting the burden onto vulnerable fishing communities. Negotiations have run into deep trouble with the release of the latest version of the Chair's text. Some developing country members say they cannot accept the text as a basis for future negotiations, objecting...

Samoa Court of Appeal has reserved its decision after hearing the appeal on the matter regarding the 10 percent representation of women in Parliament. This is the Matter CA 04/21 & CA 05/21 – Electoral Commissioner and Ali’imalemanu Moti Alofa Tu’u’au vs FAST Party and Seu’ula Ioane. The presiding panel of Judges chaired by the Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese as...

On the eve of Samoa's 59th independence anniversary, the nation's caretaker Prime Minister says Samoa is amidst one of its most challenging times, in an address focused mostly on politics. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi made the remarks during a meeting held on Monday by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) at Malae o Tiafau. The meeting followed a peaceful march by more...

Fiji's Minister for Forestry, Osea Naiqamu has tendered in his resignation from Cabinet. His resignation comes into effect today, 01 June 2021. Naiqamu has taken this decision to focus on his health, for which he recently sought treatment, while continuing to contribute to the nation as a Member of Parliament. Naiqamu has served as a member of Cabinet from 2014 as the...

Dame Meg Taylor, who has concluded her term as secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, appealed to the exiting member-countries to stay in the regional bloc, saying the Pacific is stronger as a group. “I believe in the ocean-continent and the blue Pacific, and the strength of the group,” Dame Taylor said. Dame Taylor, who took the helm of the Forum...

Vanuatu's opposition has filed a motion of no confidence against the government of prime minister Bob Loughman. The opposition accuses the government of excessive spending on self-interest in a time of national crisis. The country's economy has been hammered by the loss of tourism caused by the pandemic and Cyclone Harold, which caused extensive damage a year ago. The opposition also accuses...

The Archbishop of the Catholic Church, Alapati Lui Mataeliga, has used his mass on Monday to lash out at the Samoa Human Rights Protection Party(HRRP)-led caretaker Government and its leadership over the country’s constitutional crisis and warned the country is sliding into a dictatorship. The leader of the second largest church in Samoa left no stone unturned in a fiery...

Fijians on social media, civil society organisations and political party leaders are puzzled over Government’s decision to open up the Lami, Suva and Nausori containment areas into one big zone in the face of escalating COVID-19 cases. They also queried the decision to lift the border between Nadi and Lautoka, after two new cases were discovered in Nadi. Prime Minister Voreqe...