PINA

New research presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), in Hamburg this week, suggests that exposure to low doses of radiation may contribute to an increased risk of diabetes. The study by Dr Huan Hu and Dr Toshiteru Ohkubo from the Japanese National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health involved more than...

The European Union and Kiribati signed a new fisheries protocol to the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement for a duration of five years. The Kiribati protocol will grant the European Union fleet operating in the Pacific Ocean access to the richest and healthiest tuna stocks worldwide, an area which provides for more than half of the global tuna catch. Stocks of the...

By Aubrey Belford, Kevin G. Hall, and Martin Young The stakes could scarcely have been higher for Hilda Heine, the former president of the Marshall Islands. For years, her remote archipelago nation of just 40,000 people was best known to the world — if known at all — for Cold War nuclear testing that left scores of its islands poisoned. Sitting...

Six players who featured in this year's NRL Telstra Premiership grand final have been named in a strong Toa Samoa squad to contest this year's Pacific Championships. Premiership-winning Penrith Panthers quartet Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Izack Tago and Brian To'o will be joined by Brisbane Broncos duo Keenan Palasia and Jesse Arthars in new coach Ben Gardiner's squad to take...

Cronulla Sharks captain Tiana Penitani and Cowboys utility China Polata headline the Tonga Women's squad to take part in this year's Pacific Championships. Both players enjoyed strong seasons with their clubs and also featured in this year's State of Origin series and will provide key experience to the side being coached by Kelvin Wright. Eels winger Cassey Tohi-Hiku, who recently starred...

Vodafone Fijiana 15’s Head Coach Inoke Male has unveiled his 30-member squad for the upcoming inaugural WXV 3 Tournament scheduled to take place in Dubai next week. This squad announcement includes five players making their debut, with three of whom are from overseas clubs and two from the local scene. The debutants are Penina Turova, Mary Kanace, Iva Sauira, Una Lalabalavu...

The COVID19 crisis was a wake-up call for many Pacific Island Countries to enhance their social security systems. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), its 14 Pacific Developing Member Countries (PMDCs) were quick to respond to the global health crisis in 2020 by declaring states of emergency, drawing up contingency plans, implementing health protocols, closing borders and undertaking mass...

Thousands of kilometres away from the Pacific, an oil rig in the North Sea operates under the flag of Vanuatu. In the Black Sea, a drilling rig hired by Canada’s Trillion Energy as part of its natural gas campaign is also flagged by Vanuatu. Offshore supply vessels sailing the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa and the Oman Gulf have Vanuatu’s capital,...

Defence ministers from several Asian and Pacific States are scheduled to meet in New Caledonia for two days during the first week of December, French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC) commander, General Yann Latil announced at the weekend, adding that French Defence minister Sebastien Lecornu is also scheduled to attend. The high-level meeting would also see the attendance of...

The Pacific ACP Trade Officials meeting began today in Suva. The meeting brings together Pacific members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) to discuss sustainable development issues as well as cooperation and engagement with the European Union. Discussions include Regional Trade and Investment Landscape, regional trade agreements and trade opportunities with the U.S and other trading partners. While...