PINA

A local mayor has entered territory no state or Australian federal politician has ventured after apologising for the blackbirding practices that helped build Queensland's sugarcane industry. Bundaberg mayor Jack Dempsey said the practice of "forcing indentured labour into Queensland cane fields was equivalent to slavery and abhorrent". “Today I wish to extend a sincere apology on behalf of the Bundaberg region...

Fijian Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu has shed some light on why politicians have been taken in for questioning in relation to Bill 17. Members of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), the National Federation Party (NFP) and the Fiji Labour Party (FLP) have been questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department over the past week. Speaking in parliament Friday, Seruiratu pointed to...

New Zealand has reiterated its concern with ongoing police questioning of opposition politicians in Fiji. Several opposition MPs as well as two former prime ministers have been taken in by police this week. Police said the opposition members were being questioned under the Public Order Act in relation to their criticism of a government land bill. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs voiced...

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has become one of the first nations to adopt mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. Everyone in the western Pacific country over the age of 18 will be required to be vaccinated. President David Panuelo saidit's a necessary step to achieve heard immunity. “We have 58-thousand of our population who are eligible and these are individuals that are subject...

The Tongan Police Drugs Enforcement Taskforce has arrested five people relating to the washed-up cocaine in Vava’u. The Taskforce raided three residences last night, two in Vava’u and the third in Tongatapu. A 28-year-old male was arrested together with his 30-year-old wife and a 61-year-old male from a home in Ha’alaufuli along with five packages of cocaine. They have been charged...

Climate change is driving tuna further to the east, threatening the economic security of several small island nations Global warming is expected to progressively push tuna populations from the waters of 10 Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) into the high seas, disrupting island economies, according to a new collaborative study by Conservation International and a consortium of technical agencies,...

By Lagi Keresoma The year 2021 is already down in Samoa’s modern history as when some compelling political events occurred. But significantly, when a party that has been in power for 36 years refuses to give up power after the general elections and ‘red herrings’ were thrown in the way and causing a three months long political crisis. The barely year...

Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa says criticism by the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party(HRPP) against the judiciary is due to his refusal to vacate office, nothing more. HRPP leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi has continued to criticise the Court claiming that their recent decision destroyed the Constitution. He has called for a car convoy...

Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Jimmy Rodgers warns Solomon Islands could be seriously affected by the delta variant of COVID-19 than the current situation in Fiji if all who are eligible do not get vaccinated. Dr Rodgers made the assurance when he participated in a talk back show via zoom from Fiji. He said the delta variant of COVID-19 is...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has warned the media that the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.2) Regulations 2021 has provisions relating to Yellow Journalism. Speaking in Parliament on the motion to extend the State of Public Emergency by a further four months in Parliament Thursday, Prime Minister Sogavare said, the rationale for having this provision is to ensure that individuals...