PINA

Close to 200 Fijians including Fijian students studying in Israel were successfully repatriated by a Fiji Airways charted flight from Tel Aviv Wednesday. In a media conference, Minister for Immigration Pio Tikoduadua said flight 2394 not only brought back 198 Fijians but also a diverse group of international travellers including 13 Australians, 16 New Zealanders, eight Samoans, two Canadians, two...

Hundreds of Pacific Islanders were on the trip of a lifetime in Israel when war suddenly broke out. Pesi Sikalu is one of many who were on religious trips to the country but are now stuck in the war zone after their flights home were cancelled. They are all safe, but scared, telling 1News: “When we were outdoors the siren alarmed....

Banning new mercury mines is among milestones achieved under the Minamata Convention, which is now 10 years old. To help understand why this international treaty is important, UN News has put together a quick guide on global efforts to eradicate exposure to quicksilver, as mercury is also known. Making waves The landmark Convention is named after the Japanese coastal city where residents...

Fiji’s hooker Sam Matavesi is still expected to face England this weekend despite having dashed back to Cornwall to be with his family following the death of his father, Sireli. Matavesi, who plays his club rugby for Northampton, is a key member of his country’s pack and his absence would be an untimely setback ahead of Fiji’s first Rugby World...

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui has replaced injured second-row Temo Mayanavanua with Apisalome Ratuniyarawa in his Rugby World Cup 2023 squad ahead of the quarter-final against England on Sunday, 15 October. This comes after prop Jone Koroiduadua was replaced by Emosi Tuqiri following injury. Forwards Prop Eroni Mawi (Saracens) Peni Ravai (Queensland Reds) Emosi Tuqiri (Fijian Drua) Mesake Doge (Dragons) Luke Tagi (Provence Rugby) Samu Tawake (Fijian...

The Australian Rugby League Commission believes the inaugural Pacific Championships is the perfect vehicle to build on the momentum of last year's World Cup and foster the growth of the international game in the island nations. That hugely successful tournament in the UK breathed new life into the game after the COVID pandemic and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo believes the...

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) scientists and international scientific observers will visit Japan next week to take marine samples near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). The Agency’s samples will be used to corroborate Japan’s environmental monitoring and to assess the country’s relevant technical capabilities. This work supports the IAEA’s ongoing monitoring and assessment activities in Japan under the Agency’s...

Vanuatu Opposition bloc of former Prime Minister Sato Kilman has raised concerns over the election of Charlot Salwai, Member of Parliament of Pentecost and President of the Reunification Movement of Change (RMC), as the new Prime Minister during the parliamentary session last Friday. Former PM Kilman alleged that Salwai’s election was unlawful because it relied on the signatures of only...

The Hamas attacks took place on Israeli soil, but the “unprecedented invasion” has impacted families around the world, including the Pacific. The Islamist militant group launched a surprise military operation against Israel last weekend, killing hundreds of unarmed civilians at a music festival and soldiers near the Gaza border. More than 500 Pacific islanders, on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, have been...

Tongan officials have stepped up to help members of a New Zealand-based church group who found themselves stuck in Israel after the deadly surprise attack that killed hundreds and wounded thousands of people. Up to 54 members of the Connection City Church Assemblies of God church travelled to Israel for a Holy Land tour, visiting historical Christian sites. They arrived in...