PINA

Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko said Tuesday that relations with the U.S have hit a “low point” after President Joe Biden claimed his uncle was eaten in the Pacific nation by cannibals during World War II. Headlines about Biden’s gaffe at a Pennsylvania war memorial last week went viral in Papua New Guinea and were widely mocked on...

The Ownership, United and Responsibility (OUR) Party led by incumbent prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is now leading the political number game with 14 members being elected into the 12th parliament so far. This comes after the declaration of the Member of Parliament elect for East Guadalcanal constituency Bradley Tovosia. The Coalition for Accountability Reform and Empowerment (CARE) consisting of the Solomon...

In a historic development, a total of eight women have secured seats in the joint Solomon Islands elections. Three will serve in the national parliament, two inside the Honiara City Council and three at the provincial government level. Chief Electoral Commissioner Jasper Anisi highlighted this to reporters in a media conference. “There have been eight women declared in the joint parliamentary elections,...

Australia and Papua New Guinea’s prime ministers on Tuesday began trekking into the South Pacific island nation’s mountainous interior to commemorate a pivotal World War II campaign and to underscore their current security alliance, which faces challenges from China’s growing regional influence. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese received an elaborate traditional welcome when he arrived by helicopter at Kokoda Village...

There is scope for spillover effects from past terrorist activities in South East Asia and Middle East which could fuel terrorism and violent extremism in Fiji and the region. Speaking at the Second National Consultation Workshop, Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs Sainitiki Ravuso says the government and security agencies must always be prepared for the worst case...

OP-ED by Adam Wolfenden As Fiji and neighbouring Pacific Island Countries face the daunting prospect of dealing with unprecedented national debt levels and the effects of climate change, the issue of how climate action will be financed becomes central. The head of the United Nations climate body, Simon Stiell recently summarised the situation, “it’s hard for any government to invest in...

Fijian Drua players have developed really well over the past few weeks. This is according to their head coach, Mosese Rauluni. Following their victory in the semifinal last Friday, Rauluni believes the players are aware of the task at hand, especially being the defending champions. Rauluni said the Waratahs is the team to beat. “I think they have developed really well, as I...

The NSW Waratahs understand shutting down Fijian Drua fullback Atelaite Buna is crucial towards re-gaining the Super Rugby Women's title at Ballymore on Sunday. The Waratahs return to the Final after missing the 2023 edition with a 37-27 win over the ACT Brumbies. “It was huge and something we’ve been working towards for the last 12 if not 18 months," captain...

The Pacific National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NHMS) heard fewer Tropical Cyclones (TCs) have been observed than were predicted in the southwest Pacific over the 2023/24 TC season at the Fourteenth Session of the Pacific Island Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF-14). Held virtually on 16 April 2024, and hosted from Yanuca Island in Fiji, the forum brought together representatives from the...

Solomon Islands faces a tense wait for an election result after opposition parties pulled ahead of incumbent Prime Minister Manesseh Sogavare's OUR party, as counting on Tuesday showed independents will be key to forming government. Last week's national election was the first since Sogavare struck a security pact with China in 2022, inviting Chinese police into the archipelago and drawing...