PINA

The Australian government has told big development banks to “lift their game” in the Pacific amid concerns they are approving poor-quality, cut-price projects only for the budgets to blow out. Largely funded by governments, development banks provide grants and low-cost loans to developing countries to help them build infrastructure and other projects. But Australia has issued a veiled threat to cut...

Hosts Tahiti have deservedly retained their OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup title with a clinical 7-0 win over the Solomon Islands in the final at the Aorai Tini Hau Stadium in Papeete. In front of a capacity crowd in windy conditions the Tiki Toa showed all their big game experience and proven class to defeat the four times former champions...

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) has been granted the exclusive rights to provide live radio coverage of the Pacific Games. An agreement between SIBC and the Games Organising Committee (GOC) stated that SIBC shall provide live to air radio transmission of sports and ceremonies from the games venues. This includes broadcasting of matches, the opening and closing ceremonies. SIBC may commercialise...

By Dr Transform Aqorau The recent announcement from the Japanese government, sanctioning the discharge of recycled waste from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, is more than just a matter of policy; it's a heavy-hearted disappointment that resonates on a deeply personal level for many of us who have been at the forefront of Pacific conservation and...

Fiji defeated England for the first time in their history, scoring three sensational tries in their 30-22 victory at Twickenham. Fiji had lost all seven previous match ups since 1988 by an average score of 41-16, but showed great discipline to beat England on Saturday. Allied to their natural flair and power, Fiji finally prevailed. Jonny May raced over to given...

Civil society organisations agree with the statement made by Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat General that it will hold the government of Japan “accountable” should anything go wrong with the releasing of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant. On Thursday, Henry Puna said that since the discharge has commenced, the forum will do...

By Rowena Acraman Amid the commencement of the Fukushima nuclear waste water disposal Thursday, a large crowd of protestors gathered in Suva, Fiji Friday to ‘march and voice’ their collective opposition to Japan's nuclear waste water disposal strategy. Elaine Chandra, Justice Pacific CEO and climate activist offered strong criticism against the Fukushima nuclear waste disposal plan, deeming it “barbaric” and morally...

By Rowena Acraman Pacific Islanders have expressed their worry and have utilised social media and protests aiming to voice their concerns to Pacific leaders about the 1.3 million tons of Fukushima waste water being discharged into the Pacific oceans. Forum Secretary General Henry Puna stressed that the Forum Leaders have given priority to the significance of “international consultation, adherence to international...

Papua New Guinea Opposition has taken the U.S-PNG Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) to the Supreme Court to seek legal interpretation. Opposition Leader Joseph Lelang said that the Office of the Opposition filed a Supreme Court Reference pursuant to Section 18 of the Constitution, seeking the court’s interpretation as to the constitutionality of the DCA which Papua New Guinea entered into...

Japan has started releasing treated nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday at 1pm Japan Time (4pm Fiji Time), despite diverse views and opinions both from Pacific and abroad. The Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) said it plans to carry out the first round of release continuously around the clock for...