PINA

An official from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) says his nation values its relationship with China in terms of its economic partnership, which benefits its people. Acting secretary of justice Leonito Bacalando Jr spoke to NHK in Tokyo on Wednesday. He is visiting Japan to attend a meeting of defence ministers of Pacific island nations. Bacalando called Japan “an important...

Shipping negotiators for governments at UN talks this week want a proposed tax on the sector’s emissions to be spent mostly on cleaning up the industry – which could thwart international plans to use some of the money to address broader damage from climate change. With rich countries failing to deliver promised amounts of their taxpayers’ money to help developing...

Fiji's Cabinet has agreed that Rugby League Bid (Fiji) Limited facilitate the bid to secure a licence to enter the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) premiership competition with men and women rugby league teams in the 18th extension franchise. A successful bid would mean significant player opportunities and extensive profiling of Fiji that will bring major positive economic and social...

Fijian Drua coach Mick Byrne has made five changes to his run-on side to face the New South Wales Waratahs in round five of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific in Lautoka this weekend. Livewire hooker Tevita Ikanivere returns to the starting 15 ahead of Mesulame Dolokoto while Mesake Doge comes in for Jone Koroiduadua. The pair will partner Haereiti...

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) has approved the conclusion of the Samoa Agreement, on the partnership between the EU and members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS). With 13 votes in favour, one against, and four abstentions, on Tuesday MEPs on the Development Committee gave their consent to the EU’s conclusion of the so-called Samoa...

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Tuesday voiced deep concern over the escalation in the exchanges of fire across, and increasingly beyond, the Blue Line – the demarcation line separating Lebanese and Israeli armed forces. Briefing the Security Council in a closed-door meeting, Joanna Wronecka emphasised the need to restore calm, urging compliance with international humanitarian law to protect civilians. She...

Palau’s national congress, the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK), is considering two proposals to raise the minimum wage. The government has advocated for an increase for the past three years, recently granting a US$3,120 annual raise to public sector employees. Two bills are on the table: House Bill 11-49-5S, HD2, and a supplemental budget proposal submitted by President Surangel Whipps Jr on...

Records were once again broken for greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, sea level rise, ice cover and glacier retreat, a new global report issued by the UN weather agency (WMO) on Tuesday shows. Heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones caused misery and mayhem, upending everyday life for millions and inflicting many billions of...

Sexual harassment of women journalists continues to be a major problem in Fijian journalism and “the issues of power lie at the heart of this”, new research has revealed. The study published in Journalism Practice by researchers from the University of Vienna and the University of the South Pacific highlights there is a serious need to address the problem which...

Officials from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu have completed expert training to manage their sovereign debt using the Commonwealth Meridian system. The Commonwealth Secretariat partnered with the Government of Fiji to host a regional training workshop in Nadi from 28 February to 08 March 2024. The training was designed to equip officials from finance ministries...