PINA

The world’s largest biodiversity summit, known as COP16, concluded on the weekend in Colombia, with several landmark decisions, including first ever agreements on nature’s genetic data and on recognising people of Africa descent and Indigenous Peoples as key stewards in conservation efforts. “This is an unprecedented occasion in the history of multilateral environmental agreements,” Camila Paz Romero, spokesperson for Indigenous...

The Paciic Freedom Forum, PFF, is concerned that a defamation suit taken by the nation's largest private sector employer against the national newspaper, Island Times, will threaten public trust in media and private sector transparency. A civil suit of defamation has been lodged on October 29 by Su-rangel and Sons Co. against Leilani Reklai, publisher of Is-land Times, over a...

Palau’s largest newspaper is being sued for defamation by the company of President Surangel Whipps Jr’s father, just days ahead of general elections in the Pacific nation. Surangel and Sons alleges “negligence and defamation” by the Island Times and its editor Leilani Reklai for an article published on Tuesday with “false and unsubstantiated allegations,” owner Surangel Whipps Sr. said in...

An independent UN expert on Thursday called on the international community to fulfill its “urgent moral obligation” to support the Marshall Islands in addressing displacement challenges stemming from the impacts of historical nuclear testing and the growing threat of climate change. The appeal from Paula Gaviria Betancur, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, comes as...

Samoa's Marine Pollution Advisory Committee (MPAC) says a salvage company has been assessing the Manawanui wreckage location and what resources are needed to extract fuel still on board the vessel. MPAC said a salvage plan has been presented to them. “Salvaging works will commence once salvage plan has been approved by the MPAC Chair, Afioga Fui Tupai Mau Simanu,” MPAC said...

The leader of one of Taiwan’s last diplomatic allies in the Pacific said his nation is under increasing pressure from China to end its support for Taipei. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr also accused China of violating the exclusive economic zone of his nation, an archipelago located north of Australia. Palau is scheduled to hold a national election on Nov 5,...

The prime minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, says he is willing to personally intervene in New Caledonia's push for independence as the impasse over the way forward for the conflict-ridden French territory continues. The comments came after the Fijian leader completed a three-day mission in the French territory with the Tongan and Cook Islands prime ministers on behalf of the...

The Flying Fijians tour report for the July Test series confirms serious financial issues within the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), which led to some of the team's luggage being off-loaded and the tour manager left behind in England. RNZ Pacific has obtained a copy of the tour report authored by the team manager, Eleina McDonald. McDonald, who resigned after the tour,...

Justice Filimoni Jitoko is the proposed Fijian Speaker of Parliament. This was confirmed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka following the appointment of the Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as the country’s new President elect. Ratu Naiqama won the Presidency by a landslide vote of 37 to 16 today. The new Speaker of Parliament will be elected by the august house on 02...

Fiji's Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, has been elected the country’s next President in a special parliamentary session in Suva today, securing 37 votes to claim the position. Ratu Naiqama, nominated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, emerged victorious over opposition candidate Ratu Meli Natalatu Tora Taivaiqia, who received 16 votes. “Pursuant to section 84 of the Constitution of the Republic...