PINA

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...

The Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) presided by Bangladesh celebrated the creation of a dedicated role to protect and promote human rights in the context of climate crisis at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva through a resolution on 08 October 2021 at the 48th Session of the UN’s supreme body for human rights. Welcoming the adoption of resolution on...

The Fijian Drua have today announced the coaching and management team for its inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign. The Club has made the following five appointments: *William Koong as Head Physiotherapist *Brad Harris as Assistant Coach *Glen Jackson as Assistant Coach *Peceli Derederenalagi as Team Manager *Nico Andrade as General Manager The five join Head Coach Mick Byrne and Head of Athletic Performance Nacani Cawanibuka...

The Fiji Rugby Union has today confirmed that Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber has decided not to renew his contract with the Fiji Rugby and will pursue a new opportunity in the 15s game. FRU Chief Executive John O’Connor highlighted that while the Fiji Rugby Union Board had endorsed the continuation of Coach Baber’s appointment until the next Olympics...

Several Pacific Island countries have ruled out attending the COP 26 global climate change talks next month citing challenges around COVID-19 restrictions, quarantine and travel to the summit. Both Kiribati and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have announced they will be unable to attend the event in Glasgow. Pacific Island nations have been a driving force behind global climate action, and...

Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa is calling for the public’s continuous support for the Government’s vaccination programme to ensure our country reaches herd immunity. Fiame said as of Wednesday last week, close to 95 percent of the eligible population have received their first doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, and close to 60 percent have completed their second doses. “I...

Papua New Guinea Health Minister Jelta Wong has appealed for Members of Parliament to put aside party and personal politics and focus on the COVID-19 crisis. Speaking in Parliament this week, Wong advocated for MPs to unify and help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Wong said “This is also a time when we need to put any party or personal politics aside...

Deaths from tuberculosis – one of the top infectious killers in the world - have increased for the first time in a decade, as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday. New data from the UN health agency highlighted how years of global progress in tackling the preventable disease had been “reversed”...