PINA

Russia on Thursday urged French authorities to refrain from unjustified use of violence against protesters in New Caledonia. “We call on Paris to ensure respect for the rights and freedoms of the indigenous population of New Caledonia and other overseas territories under its control, and to meet all the high demands that Paris makes to other countries, which, by the...

Qantas and Jetstar are looking to move in on Australia-Vanuatu services following the collapse of flag carrier Air Vanuatu. The Flying Kangaroo has applied for 1,798 seats per week in each direction for five years, with plans to start Qantas services in August and Jetstar services in October. The move will put Qantas in competition with Virgin Australia, currently the only...

By Dr Satyendra Prasad, Climate Lead – Abt Global and Fiji’s Former Ambassador to the UN Next week, the United Nations will hold one of its largest ever international conferences on small island developing states. This will be held in the beautiful and one of the most climate vulnerable island state of Antigua and Barbuda. The 4th International Conference on Small...

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and WXV 3 2024 qualification will be up for grabs when the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship gets underway in Brisbane, Australia, on Friday. Samoa head into the tournament as defending champions having edged Fiji to last year’s title, Cassie Siataga scoring all of her side’s points in a 19-18 victory in the decisive match. Manusina will...

President Emmanuel Macron arrived Thursday in riot-hit New Caledonia, having crossed the globe by plane in a high-profile show of support for the Pacific archipelago wracked by deadly unrest and where Indigenous people have long sought independence from France. The unrest was sparked by anger among Indigenous Kanak people over constitutional changes backed by Paris that would give voting rights...

By Kishti Sen & Tom Kenny, International Economist & Senior International Economist, ANZ Fiji’s swift rebound from the pandemic-induced downturn has been impressive. The economy is doing better than it was in 2019 with tourism leading the rebound. Visitor arrivals in 2022 exceeded most expectations and last year inbound demand surged past the record arrivals of 2019. "Pent-up international travel demand...

The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) strongly supports the new advisory opinion published by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, which for the first time at a global level defines the legal obligations of states to act on climate change to protect marine ecosystems. These obligations arise under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,...

The Micronesian Centre for Sustainable Transport (MCST) has released a critical analysis of the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) 2023 Revised Strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. In a working paper titled “Disbursement of Revenues Generated by IMO’s Emission Reduction Measures: Is Contributing to a Just and Equitable Transition That Leaves No State Behind an Empty...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has affirmed that the Government remains steadfast and undeterred by the Opposition’s vote-of-no-confidence motion. “We had a full Cabinet today for our National Executive Council meeting and our government business for the two weeks of Parliament starting next Tuesday have been cleared,” Prime Minister Marape stated. “We are not deterred by any conversations on...

In the heart of the Pacific Ocean, Fiji is known for its intense tropical beauty, vibrant culture and astonishing biodiversity. Among its unique inhabitants, five species of iguanas stand out, four of which are native and endemic to the islands. Yet, these significant reptiles face an uncertain future, threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, and the illegal wildlife trade. Nunia Thomas-Moko, Director...