PINA

Flying Fijians have made a winning start in their campaign for Rugby World Cup beating Tonga 36-20 in the first test match at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday. The Simon Raiwalui-coached side made a firing start running three straight tries within 12 minutes. Referee James Doleman handed a yellow card to Tongan lock Tanginoa Halaifonua and awarded a penalty try...

The United States is watching with keen interest developments in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on reported plans to develop their own defence forces. “It sounds like they're in preliminary discussions regarding Solomon Islands' interest in developing defense forces. And I guess I would observe as a traditional security partner and we welcome Australia's interest and involvement in supporting Solomon Islands...

The European Union (EU) Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen has welcomed EU Council's agreement on the signature of new EU - OACPS Post-Cotonou partnership agreement. “Today is a historic day for the EU and 79 members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). “At the 20 July 2023 Foreign Affairs Council meeting at the Council of the...

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...