PINA

Samoan Parliament Speaker, Papali’i Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u was surprised when asked why the dates for the seven by-elections had been changed from 12 to 26 November 2021. Speaking to Talamua, Papali’i said he did not know of any changes and as far as he is concerned, the by-election is still on the 12 November. He said if there were any changes,...

Co-hosts Oman got celebrations under way at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 with a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Papua New Guinea in the opening match. Zeeshan Maqsood’s men ticked all the boxes, with their bowling, catching and batting giving the home fans plenty to cheer about at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground on Sunday. Maqsood himself took four wickets...

If Papua New Guinea’s efforts to get a game against an Australian team have been stymied by COVID-19, then over the next week they have the chance to vault straight into a World Cup contest with Aaron Finch’s men. While Australian support for PNG cricket has been substantial, both in terms of supplying respected figures like Andy Bichel and Joe...

Stand in Fiji 7s coach Saiasi Fuli who takes over from departing coach Gareth Baber has assured the people of Fiji that he is ready to take up the task ahead in leading the men’s team. Currently in the midst of preparing our Fijiana 7s team to next year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in South Africa, Fuli is confident of...

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Hemi Ahio has recorded a statement win in Dubai. Ahio maintained his unbeaten record with a knockout victory over Dubai-based Iran champion Mohammad Ali Bayat Farid at the weekend. Ahio dropped Farid in the opening round of their headline fight and knocked him out in round two using impressive hand speed. The victory earned Ahio, 31, the WBC...

Marika Koroibete will play no part in the Wallabies’ spring tour after the superstar winger opted to stay in Australia for family reasons. Koroibete did not play in the final test of The Rugby Championship, against Argentina, after being released to spend additional time with his family before the Wallabies’ tour of Japan and the UK. But speaking to reporters on...

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna has welcomed the latest UN Human Rights Council vote for a UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change. The 48th session of the Council was held in hybrid mode, combining virtual sessions with meetings in Geneva from 13 September to 08 October, with the summary of the meeting confirming the details. “It's...

Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill defiantly clenched his fist Thursday, telling his political opponents “you have to defeat me at the elections”, after being acquitted on an abuse of office charge. “I am very happy that the judiciary has once again proven me not guilty,” O’Neill said outside court. “I know that there is a desire by my...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) today signed a US$325 million loan to help fund tranche 2 of the Sustainable Highlands Highway Investment Programme, a key transport development connecting some of PNG’s most remote rural communities and farmers to services and market opportunities. ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez and PNG...

Pacific exporters struggling with increasing freight costs will soon benefit from a new subsidy programme. Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand (PTI NZ) has launched the scheme to support exporters across the Blue Pacific coping with the pandemic impact on transport sector fees. The Freight Subsidy Programme (FSP) is a joint initiative between the Pacific Islands Forum and PTI NZ. Pacific Islands Forum...