PINA

The Fijian Drua are aware the Crusaders will want to exact revenge for their loss in Fiji last year. The Drua stunned the defending champions when they last met at Churchill Park a year ago, with flyhalf Kemu Valetini kicking a last-gasp penalty to clinch an upset 25-24 victory. Coach Mick Byrne said his side are battle ready to expect another...

Discussions are afoot between officials from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands (SI) regarding the provision of assistance by PNG police in Solomon Islands’ upcoming elections. Commissioner of Police David Manning confirmed that talks had been held with his counterpart in Solomon Islands, Mostyn Mangau, with both parties exploring how the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and the...

Fiji's Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya is no longer a deputy party leader for the ruling People’s Alliance party (PAP). This was confirmed by PAP’s general secretary Usaia Waqatairewa in a statement released today saying The People’s Alliance Executive Council at its meeting Monday, resolved, in the best interest of the party, that Tabuya be removed as deputy party leader...

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has granted authorisation to the Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO) to participate in advisory proceedings concerning the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change. “The PNAO was established under the 1982 Nauru Agreement concerning Cooperation in the Management of Fisheries of Common Stocks,” stated the ICJ in a statement. According to Article...

Fiji's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has sanctioned charges against three police officers and two civilians for alleged involvement in tampering with evidence, namely methamphetamine at the Totogo Police Station in Suva. “The three police officers have all been charged with one count of Interfering with Evidence, Contrary to Section 37 of the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004. “The...

The Interim President of ULMWP Benny Wenda has expressed his gratitude during the Dutch Parliament hearing on the UN visit to West Papua. He thanked the Netherlands Parliament, acknowledging the historical context and urging them to understand the ongoing struggle in West Papua. “First of all, I give my thanks to the Netherlands Parliament for hosting this meeting. As our former...

New analysis published in the Lancet has found that Pacific island countries account for nine out of 10 of the top countries in the world with the highest prevalence of obesity among women and men aged 20 and above. Looking at data from 2022, the study found that more than 1 billion people in the world are now living with...

Cook Islands has the highest childhood obesity rate, with over 30 percent of children having obesity, a recent study on worldwide trends in underweight and obesity reveals. Bob Williams, Secretary for Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health, said they are concerned with the statistics. Williams said the Healthy Island and Healthy School screening done last year for schools on Rarotonga and...

U.S congressional negotiators released a bill Sunday that would fund key parts of the government through the rest of the fiscal year, which began in October 2023. Among provisions in the appropriations package are critical funds to counter China in the Pacific as part of an agreement signed last year called the Compacts of Free Association, or COFA. Under the compacts,...

Global fish talks to curb harmful subsidies have failed to reach agreement at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial this morning, an outcome the Pacific Network on Globalisation believes avoids the acceptance of a bad deal. “The proposed text for consideration by Ministers lets the large-scale distant water fishing fleets off the hook of cutting their subsidies, undermining the attempts...