PINA

As meetings to oversee deep-sea mining on the high seas draw to a close, it remains unclear whether regulators will allow it to commence in the near future. At the 07-31 March meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN-associated body responsible for regulating deep-sea mining in international waters, delegates were divided on this key issue....

The Marshall Islands is making use of a “maritime domain awareness platform” developed by a New Zealand company to identify suspected illegal fishing activity in the western Pacific. Information gleaned by Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority fisheries surveillance officers led to Thailand banning a tuna carrier vessel from unloading its US$7 million cargo last month based on concern for alleged...

In the wake of last month’s Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji, Professor Steven Ratuva looks at the historical, political and ideological challenges that are undermining and tainting the mana of the Pacific. By Steven Ratuva The free-flowing New Zealand pinot noir, the multicoloured Fijian bula shirts, the radiant Pacific smiles, the “family” photo sessions, the brotherly and sisterly bear hugs,...

It was a day to remember for the Fijian Drua and the Fijiana Drua franchises as registered wins in front of home fans for the very first time in Suva Saturday. And they did not only host but both teams managed good wins against the Melbourne Rebels teams. The Fijiana Drua set the pace with a convincing 39-12 win over the...

Transgender or athletes with "Differences of Sexual Development" (DSD) will be allowed to compete at the Pacific Games or Mini Games if the relevant international federation allows them to, the head of the Pacific Games Council says. On 24 March, World Athletics announced new regulations that would completely bar transgender male-to-female athletes from participating in its competitions. The governing body also...

Leroy Carter beat the dead-ball line and two defenders in a high-speed chase as New Zealand raced to a big early lead in the first half before Fiji hit back from 90 metres out. Cody Vai had opened the scoring with just 30 seconds on the clock as the All Blacks Sevens opened with a statement of intent, with co-captain...

One of the world’s most important courts will advise states on their responsibilities for curbing global emissions and the legal consequences of inaction, following unprecedented consensus on the subject at the UN. At a General Assembly meeting in New York Wednesday, governments approved a resolution recognising the huge challenge of climate change and calling on the International Court of Justice...

The carbon credit industry has successfully fought off a push by some of the most climate vulnerable nations to place a mandatory levy on carbon offsets to fund climate change adaptation measures. The Alliance of Small Island developing States (AOSIS) wanted new guidelines on carbon credits to recommend that a mandatory five percent levy on carbon credit revenues. The money...

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna is wrapping up a week of stakeholder sessions in Niue with a visit to the national college, Niue High. The visit to the college, where he will speak at the school assembly and present the head girl and boy with copies of the 2050 strategy will be especially symbolic – the strategy provides...

Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, prosecutors and defense lawyers said Thursday, making him the first former U.S president to face a criminal charge and jolting his bid to retake the White House next year. The charges remained under seal late Thursday, but the investigation centered on payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence...