PINA

The Pacific islands are increasingly being used as a transit point for transnational crime, including drug trafficking and money laundering, experts say. Criminal organisations from Asia and the Americas are exploiting limited law enforcement resources on these islands, and drug problems are rising on these tourist paradise locations, according to experts and local reports, mainly from Fiji and Palau. The region...

Vanuatu Clerk of Parliament, Raymond Manuake, has summoned Parliament to convene on Friday, 04 November 2022. The summons instrument was signed by Manuake Tuesday and distributed to the 52 newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs). Manuake said the elections of the new Speaker of Parliament; First, Second and Third Deputy Speakers as well as the Chairman of parliamentary committees are on...

Forging a stronger presence in Papua New Guinea and other Pacific island nations has become part of the West’s strategy to counter China's security push in the region. The superpower rivalry between China and the United States, in particular, has been felt in the region in recent times. Both sides have dangled security assistance and development aid to grow their influence...

Australia on Tuesday pledged increased defence spending and efforts to firm up diplomatic ties with neighbouring Southeast Asian and Pacific nations as it seeks to counter China's growing economic and strategic influence in the region. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's first budget since his centre-left Labor government was elected in May lifts funding for defence by eight percent in the fiscal...

-As is customary in the run up to any gathering of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) predicable fault lines are emerging. Oil producing nations tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to laying down green goals for shipping, while states where climate change is having the most visible effect...

Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and Tokelau welcome the decision of the MSC Independent Adjudicator, in respect of the objection raised against the application, by PNA, to extend the scope of the MSC certification of the PNA tuna fishery to include bigeye tuna and fishing on FADs. The proposed extension of the MSC certification is a hugely important initiative...

By Joel Atkinson, HUFS In his recent visit to Taipei, Tuvalu’s new Prime Minister Kausea Natano declared that Tuvalu would ‘continue to stand firm in commitment to remain a lasting and loyal ally of the Republic of China ’. With Solomon Islands moving closer to China following its break with Taiwan in 2019, it’s worth examining why Taiwan’s...

A brave Cook Islands outfit handed Papua New Guinea an early scare before the Kumuls powered away in the second half to win 32-16 at Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. After only two points separated the proud rugby league nations at half-time, but the second stanza was all the Kumuls, running in four tries in 27 minutes to put themselves...

With enforcer Jason Taumalolo due back from suspension and injured pair Moses Suli and Isaiya Katoa also on the cusp of a return, Tonga coach Kristian Woolf is confident his team has their best football ahead of them as the World Cup heats up. After overcoming a sluggish opening to overpower Wales 32-6 at St Helens on Tuesday, Tonga will...

Fijiana 15s Coach Senirusi Seruvakula says he would love to stay on as head coach. Seruvakula’s contract came to an end Mondayfollowing their outing at the women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. He said if he is given an opportunity to be at the helm again, he would take it. “If I retain my coaching staff I would love to stay...