PINA

The Melanesian Cup between the FNRL State of Origins winners Western Maroon and PNG Hela Wigmen will be held in Fiji after a lapse of two years. Fiji National Rugby League interim chief executive Don Natabe confirmed the match between the two teams will be played at Churchill Park in Lautoka next weekend. “FNRL has approved and sanctioned the Silktails match...

Fiji-born Crusaders winger Sevu Reece says they cannot blame the weather for their 25-24 Super Rugby Pacific Round 3 25-24 loss to the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in Lautoka on Saturday. The All Blacks rep said the Drua deserved the win and he expects to see more from the Fijian club. “It’s unfair to blame the weather, the Drua showed up...

Within the next 40 years, the Marshall Islands will cease to exist. That’s according to the Kwajalein Atoll Sustainability Laboratory (KASL), citing U.S Department of Defence research that projects the chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls will be uninhabitable as early as 2035 and no later than 2065. Marshallese leaders and members of KASL, a project of the Marshallese government...

The Papua New Guinea Government plans to increase the size of its 33-member Cabinet by amending the Prime Minister and National Executive Council Act 2002 when Parliament sits for two weeks from Tuesday. Leader of Government Business Rainbo Paita told The National that the government’s main agenda for the session included a debate on the Ombudsman Commission Bill and an...

There are hopes a Pacific person will head the Western Pacific region for the World Health Organisation (WHO). It follows the sacking of regional director Takeshi Kasai after allegations of harassment, abuse and racism, and an internal investigation resulted in findings of misconduct. Kasai was accused of unethical behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic, including aggressive communication and racial comments, leading to...

Tokelau has a new Ulu-o-Tokelau, or head of government, Kelihiano Kalolo. In a statement, National Public Service general manager Tino Vitale said the general fono chairperson, deputy chairperson and the 28 members of the 12th Government of Tokelau have been sworn in. He said the Ulu, on behalf of the Taupulega, or Council of Elders, tabled the council's decision on ministerial...

By Nic Maclellan Moetai Brotherson of the independence party Tavini Huira’atira no Te Ao Ma’ohi has announced he will run for the Presidency of French Polynesia. The post is currently held by President Edouard Fritch of the Tapura Huira’atira party, who has held office in Tahiti since 2014. Brotherson, who currently represents French Polynesia in the French National Assembly in Paris,...

China has condemned a Japanese plan to release treated radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, demanding that Tokyo first receive the approval of neighbouring countries. China has made similar complaints on a regular basis in the past, but has not said how it would respond if Japan goes ahead with the planned release. China, which Japan...

The World Bank has disbursed a US$9.5 million (VUV 1.13 billion) grant to support the Government of Vanuatu’s response to Severe Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin, and a 6.5 Mw earthquake in Vanuatu’s north. The emergency funding will provide vital support to the government’s recovery and response efforts following the disasters. The Government of Vanuatu has declared a six-month State of...

Pacific countries have added their voice to a growing chorus of support for the establishment of a science-policy panel to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. The latest opportunity to do this was at the resumed First Meeting of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on a Science-Policy Panel for Chemicals, Waste,...