PINA

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has dismissed Dr Temo Waqanivalu, a senior official accused of three separate instances of sexual misconduct over five years. “Dr Temo Waqanivalu has been dismissed from WHO following findings of sexual misconduct against him and corresponding disciplinary process,” the WHO told the Financial Times on Monday. The Waqanivalu case raised concerns about the adequacy of...

Her Royal Highness (HRH), Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth of Denmark arrived in Fiji Monday her first official visit. The Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka received the Crown Princess on her arrival at the Nadi International Airport and Nausori International Airport respectively. Crown Princess Mary is accompanied by Denmark's Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate...

A former Pacific Island president has backed a Torres-Strait Islander-led legal case to hold the Australian government accountable for climate crisis inaction. On Monday, Anote Tong, the former president of Kiribati, signed a statement of solidarity with Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai, who have taken the government to court, demanding further emissions reductions in line with science. The two Torres Strait...

Australia’s defence force needs an urgent overhaul, with a shift towards long-range strike abilities and better bang for taxpayers’ bucks spent on military projects. A declassified review of the Australian Defence Force says the nation cannot rely on long warning times for a conflict given the ability for adversaries to strike rapidly from afar or through non-conventional means such as...

A Vanuatu government envoy was at a fishing summit in Ecuador this year when he claims to have had a surprising encounter: two men linked with an obscure Panamanian company who said they represented his country. Saade Makhlouf’s alleged discovery in February, on the sidelines of a gathering of an agency that oversees south Pacific fishing, spurred a surreal anti-corruption...

By John Braddock A group of former leaders of Pacific island nations has condemned the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States which, along with other US-led “architecture” including the Quad (Australia, India, Japan and US), has been formed to prepare for war against China Washington views China as the major obstacle to its global...

The Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (Pacific Partnership) today welcomed over 100 delegates to share and learn on What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls Where We Play, Pray, Learn and Engage Together in the Pacific. Co-hosted by the Pacific Community (SPC), UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office (MCO), and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF),...

Defending Super W champions the Fijiana Drua were forced to rely on Brisbane families to feed them in the lead-up to a crunch game against the Reds last week, while a training centre in northern NSW is still chasing a six-figure invoice for hosting the Drua men’s team in 2021 as financial troubles hit Fijian rugby. The FRU on Monday...

The Fiji Rugby Union has reported a loss of $1.3 million(US$650,000) in its 2022 annual report. Rugby House put it down to the absence of sponsors for programs, losses in domestic competition due to reduced sponsorships, and under-collection from the budgeted income. In 2021, FRU made a profit of $269,554(US$134,777). FRU acting chief executive Sale Sorovaki wrote in his report that 2022...

Defending champs Tonga Tala thrash Singapore 85-40 to open their account on the Gold Coast. Tonga and Samoa recorded victories in their first round of matches at the PacificAUS Sports Netball Series on the Gold Coast in Australia Monday. The Pacific's other teams Papua New Guinea and Fiji were unfortunate not to win their opening matches. Defending their series title claimed last...