PINA

By Nic Maclellan The French Senate in Paris has issued a report sharply critiquing France’s official Indo-Pacific Strategy, highlighting the lack of capacity of French military forces deployed in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The report from the Senate Foreign Affairs, Armed Forces and Defence Committee questions the gulf between rhetoric and reality in Indo-Pacific policy. The report says “our...

A national state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand, after a night of extreme weather which left towns cut off across the North Island. Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday. It was only the third time a New Zealand Government had declared a national state of emergency. The previous declarations came...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, Ishmael Kalsakau, and Madame Ellene Kalsakau to Australia from 14 - 16 February. Australia and Vanuatu are strong partners based on a shared commitment to a prosperous, peaceful, resilient region. This will be the first official visit to Australia by a Prime Minister of the Republic...

Fiji's Minister for Home Affairs has condemned the statement delivered by Opposition Leader Voreqe Bainimarama and even described it treasonous. Bainimarama in his response to the President’s speech in Parliament Monday said he had to inform the rank and file of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces that all philosophical commitment and their years of hard work were now undermined...

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr is looking for a budget boost by submitting earlier this month a proposed supplemental financial package amounting to almost US$5 million. In a letter to the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) on 01 February, 2023 requested a supplemental budget of US$4,923,000 for recurring programs and activities of the National government. “This bill prioritises policy initiatives that will...

A new report by the Commonwealth Secretariat calls on policymakers from Pacific countries to consider adopting laws requiring bystanders to report online violence against women and girls. The report was released at a conference, hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat in Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby from 07 to 09 February on building effective anti-cybercrime frameworks in the Pacific region. Role...

Wests Tigers is delighted to announce Apisai Koroisau has been appointed team captain for 2023. The announcement was made at Wests Tigers official season launch on the waterfront at Iron Cove, where more than 300 VIP guests had the chance to mingle with their team. The three-time NRL premiership-winner has enjoyed his first few months at his new club and is...

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has announced it has been accepted as an official member of the United Nation's Football for the Goals (FFTG). The programme is a UN initiative that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It's an opportunity to build on the sport's powerful...

Evacuations are under way and tens of thousands of people are without power as Cyclone Gabrielle batters New Zealand’s North Island, where the largest city is still recovering from record rain last month. As the former tropical cyclone skirted New Zealand’s coastline, the MetService issued its highest ever number of red weather warnings for intense rain and gale-force winds, including...

Talks on a global fund for victims of climate change could be delayed after governments missed a deadline to appoint members to a committee taking the issue forward. At last November’s Cop27 climate summit, governments agreed to set up a fund for vulnerable communities hit by climate disaster – a breakthrough after decades of stalemate. But contentious questions remain. A 24-member...