PINA

In the lush forests of Fiji, the Red-throated Lorikeet (Charmosyna amabilis), known locally as the ‘Kulawai’, was once a familiar sight. This small, shy bird, easily distinguished by its striking red throat and vibrant green plumage, flitted among the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Ovalau, and Taveuni. But today, this bird is critically endangered, perhaps even extinct, and efforts to...

A defence treaty between Australia and Fiji should include vetting processes for human rights violations, a parliamentary committee has been told. The agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defence and the Status of Visiting Forces, signed in September 2019, seeks to improve the ability of the two nations' militaries to work together. It also sets out a legal framework for...

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) pushed for the intensification of mutually beneficial cooperation between Indonesia and Fiji during a bilateral meeting with the President of Fiji, Williame Maivalili Katonivere, in Bali on Monday. The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum, according to a press release issued by the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta. “As a...

Fiji has asked the United Nations for help with a surge in HIV and AIDS cases, fuelled by the country's spiralling methamphetamine trade. At Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's request, UNAIDS Regional Director to Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe Central Asia Eamonn Murphy has just been in Fiji, holding crisis talks with top government and health officials. In an exclusive interview with...

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has called a meeting of his defence and security council to discuss the deadly unrest in the Pacific territory of New Caledonia. It is the third such meeting in less than a week, the previous two having resulted in the decision to declare a state of emergency in the French territory and then to send...

The young people on the streets in New Caledonia are saying they will "never give up" pushing back on France's hold on the territory, a Kanak journalist in Nouméa says. Radio Djiido's Andre Qaeze told RNZ Pacific young people have said that “Paris must respect us” and what has been decided by Jacques Lafleur and Jean-Marie Tjibaou, who were instrumental...

Australians stranded in New Caledonia could be offered a route home if a military aircraft is allowed into the island nation. At least six people have died and hundreds more were injured after violence erupted in the French Pacific territory last week. As a result, the La Tontouta International Airport is closed until further notice, making it difficult for the government...

“Australia has announced its agreement for the servicing and maintenance of all patrol boats under the Pacific Patrol Boat Programme in Fiji’s revitalised shipbuilding, slipway and ship repair and maintenance facilities. This not only serves Fiji’s priorities but also our responsibility as the regional hub, a regional port of entry and trans-shipment centre for the region.” This was shared by...

The Australian federal government and the NRL are closing in on a deal worth up to $600 million (US$400 million to secure a new NRL side based in Papua New Guinea. NRL chairman Peter V'landys met with Minister for the Pacific Pat Conroy on the sidelines of the NRL's Magic Round in Brisbane late last week to discuss the deal. Conroy...

The first-ever World Rugby 7s grand final will be played in Madrid in two weeks' time, with eight teams in contention including Fiji. However, Samoa will be absent from the elite group, having finished second last at the end of the league season. Under the competition's new format, that means they along with Spain, the United States and Canada have a...