PINA

The Fiji Government will undertake the review of the National Security and Defence policy. The review is envisaged to be a holistic assessment – encompassing Fiji’s military capabilities but also the broader dimensions. Speaking in Parliament, Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua said the review will include Fiji’s economic security, cybersecurity, environmental security, and human security, with a particular emphasis on...

In Pacific island countries and areas, as many as 1 in 2 children have dental caries in their baby teeth – the highest prevalence worldwide. When caries are left untreated, they can cause pain, making it uncomfortable for children to eat, speak and play. Poor oral health can also lead to gum disease and tooth loss later in life, further...

The Fijian Drua have named their squad for Round 4 of the Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Chiefs this Saturday in Hamilton. Coming off the win against Crusaders last weekend, Head Coach Mick Byrne has several changes to the side, with a whole host of players forcing their way into the matchday 23. Mesulame Dolokoto, Simione Kuruvoli, Michael Naitokani and...

The Fijian Drua Women have named their matchday 23 for the first round of the 2024 Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s competition against the Queensland Reds on Sunday. The Drua have named the experienced Karalaini Naisewa as season captain. The Mosese Rauluni-coached side for this week includes two debutants - Unaisi Lalabalavu and Merewairita Neivosa - in the starting 15. Six potential debutants...

Moana Pasifika have already achieved as many wins in this young season as they did in the entirety of the last and will have the chance to even their season record when they face the Western Force in round four. It’s a special week for coach Tana Umaga who will lead the team into his 50th Super Rugby Pacific game...

The Regional Hub for the Pacific has launched a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering young social media influencers and climate advocates from the Pacific region to combat climate change and bolster awareness of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The #SwipeUp4Change initiative, seeks to mobilise young leaders to utilise social media platforms to drive climate action in the region. NDCs serve as key...

The head of the UN atomic agency on Tuesday emphasised to Japan's government the importance of transparency in its ongoing discharges of treated radioactive wastewater at the ruined Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General, Rafael Grossi also expressed support for increasing Japan's nuclear capacity as the country looks to it as a stable, clean source of...

Fiji and other Pacific island countries are stepping up security around the region by developing a legislation at the Chemical Weapons Convention currently underway in Suva. Opening the workshop Tuesday, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Mason Smith said this was crucial for the South Pacific. “As non-possessor States, the repercussion of a chemical incident would be extremely damaging. It is on...

One of the longest serving women in Pacific politics, Nauru Minister for Women and Social Affairs Charmaine Scotty, has told the annual UN meeting on the state of gender equality and women that policy and capacity building are key to advancing gender. In a statement to a Ministerial Roundtable sharing best practice on the CSW68 theme on strengthening institutions and...

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) President Wesley Simina has declared a national emergency due to severe drought, and sent it to his country's Congress for review. The president's signed declaration said the nation has been experiencing “extremely and unusually low levels” of rainfall, and it is anticipated that this condition will continue to intensify in the coming months. “The impacts of...