PINA

China on Monday expressed grave concern over and firm opposition to Australia blocking China's COVID-19 vaccine aid to Papua New Guinea (PNG), calling it a breach of the basic humanitarian spirit. Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a press briefing in response to a relevant query. According to media reports, Australia has planted several “consultants” in the national...

The Australian Prime Minister has announced a four-step plan that could eventually lead Pacific Islanders to reunite with their families, but it all depends on vaccines. On Friday, Scott Morison said phase three could include freedom for vaccinated Australians to travel overseas, meaning Pacific Islanders could fly home to visit friends and relatives. He said the plan would be triggered when...

Samoa continues to be under COVID-19 State of Emergency as the Orders have been extended for another month to 01 August 2021. The extension has been approved by the Head of State on a recommendation from Cabinet according to the Press Secretariat. Meanwhile, an amended Travel Advisory was issued that gives conditions for those requesting to travel out and into Samoa...

The mortuary at Fiji’s largest hospital is now full, the country’s health ministry said on Monday, as the Pacific island nation logs record daily coronavirus cases. There were no immediate details on the capacity of the morgue. Twenty-eight people have died from COVID-19 in a second wave of infections starting in April, the ministry said on Sunday. The Colonial War Memorial...

By Nic Maclellan Japan’s Yoshihide Suga has announced a new “Pacific bonds” policy to strengthen cooperation between Japan and Forum Island Countries, as Pacific leaders joined the Japanese Prime Minister on Friday for an online summit – the ninth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM9). In line with Australia’s “Pacific step-up” and New Zealand’s “Pacific reset”, Prime Minister Suga’s “Pacific bonds” policy...

By Mose Saitala Prime Minister Danny Philip in 2011 conceived and commenced the pursuit of the fundamental reform programme. He was ousted barely 15 months into his term in office. His successor, Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, was committal to the fundamental reform programme and propelled the country to accede to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) on...

A political commentator is urging the international community to get involved and for a politician to be dragged out of office as a new development emerges in Samoa's battle for power. Political commentator Mata'afa Keni Lesa spoke to The AM Show on Monday almost two months after FAST Party broke a month-long deadlock from the April election to claim a...

The ABG Minister for Mineral and Energy Resources, Rodney Osioco, has announced that the Bougainville Government will no longer be partially lifting the existing mining reservation or moratorium in selected areas of Bougainville for the purposes of mineral exploration endeavors in new or “greenfield” sites until certain issues are addressed. This is consistent with a key Bougainville mining policy objective...

Fiji Rugby is thrilled to announce two strong and experienced sevens teams which will be part of Team Fiji’s campaign to the Olympic Games in Tokyo Japan later this month. After competing in the Oceania 7s a fortnight ago, coach Gareth Baber and Saiasi Fuli have finally penciled in their 12-member squad along with traveling reserves. Baber said “The Olympic Games...

A relaxation of World Rugby's eligibility laws would help avert scenes like the All Blacks' 102-0 victory over Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday night, according to beaten coach Toutai Kefu. Putting together a makeshift squad using only local players, with the majority of Tonga's stars unable to travel to New Zealand from overseas, Kefu's side were outplayed in...