PINA

The islands nations of the Pacific play a critical role in the U.S strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific region, said Siddharth Mohandas, the deputy assistant secretary of defence for East Asia. Mohandas testified before the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the national security implications of the Compacts of Free Association with the Republic of Palau, the Federal States...

A Guam senator frowned on the UN nuclear watchdog’s approval of Japan’s plan to discharge 1 million tonnes of water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, saying it failed to require safer options. Senator Sabina Perez said the impending release of radioactive water into the sea is “extremely alarming” and represents “the latest example of...

A leading British climate scientist has told the BBC he believes the target to limit global warming to 1.5C will be missed. Professor Sir Bob Watson, former head of the UN climate body, told the BBC's Today programme he was “pessimistic”. His warning comes amidst a summer of extreme heat for Europe, China and the U.S. The UN said passing the limit...

“The fight for climate action is also a fight for a more just and equal society,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell during last month Bonn Climate Change Conference 2023. Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement requires a collective, sustained long-term effort and more inclusive climate action. While there is some progress on the latter, effective participation...

U.S President Joe Biden will host a second summit with leaders of Pacific island nations in September, Joseph Yun, the U.S. official responsible to negotiations with three key Pacific island states said on Thursday. U.S official have said the summit is expected to take place around the time of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York in September. Biden's national...

U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Tonga, New Zealand and Australia next week as the Biden administration shifts its Indo-Pacific strategy into overdrive in part to counter China's growing influence in the region. The State Department said Thursday that Blinken will dedicate a new U.S embassy in the Tongan capital of Nukualofa on 26 July before heading to...

By Ilan kiloe As the 7th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival commences in Port Vila this week, the public parade from seafront stage to Saralana Park already exhibited a great variety of cultures and traditions. The festival provides an opportunity for tribes and cultural groups across Melanesia display their traditional dances, chants, tunes, songs, and artifacts for public viewing...

Fiji and Tonga have named their warriors for their opening 2023 Pacific Nations Cup series clash at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday. The Flying Fijians have named four new caps - three debutants in the starting 15 and one on the bench, while the 'Ikale Tahi have stuck with a tested team, naming only one new cap in the reserves. Lautoka,...

Sports diplomacy has taken a turn to uniting borders, foster mutual understanding and promote shared values and this is seen in a AUD$5.5 million support from the Australian government to invest into PNG’s rugby league pathways. Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy is in Papua New Guinea and confirmed this at the NRL-related dinner that was...

As the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in New Zealand and Australia, one of the most powerful figures in football is adamant there will be an explosion of interest among girls and women throughout Oceania. FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman worked for the Football Federation of Samoa and OFC before being appointed FIFA’s inaugural Chief Women’s...