PINA

-Time is running out to protect the world’s mangroves which are not only home to many species but also an important hedge against climate impacts, the head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said on Tuesday. Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO Director-General, called for greater global awareness about these critical coastal areas in her message to mark the...

Dr Robin Mitchell is set to be elected President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) unopposed, having been the only candidate nominated. The Fijian official has been Acting ANOC President since Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah was charged with forgery in Switzerland in 2018. A new permanent ANOC President is due to be elected at the ANOC General Assembly in...

Fiji 7s Coach Ben Gollings has named six Olympic gold medalists in his final 13-man squad for this weekend's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Jerry Tuwai, Waisea Nacuqu, Josua Vakurinabili, Sireli Maqala, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Semi Kunatani are the six Olympic gold medal winners in the team while Sevuloni Moceanacagi has also forced his way in the team after missing the...

Following their qualification for Rugby World Cup 2023, ‘Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu says his team will be setting their sights high at next year’s tournament. Kefu insists his team will not be going to Rugby World Cup 2023 purely to make up the numbers. The ‘Ikale Tahi’s place in Pool B at next year’s tournament was confirmed last Saturday...

Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has expressed support for the Federated States of Micronesia’s move to oppose China’s proposed “action plan” for the Pacific island states, advising island governments to be vigilant against the communist nation’s attempts to control domestic affairs. “Guam stands with you and your effort to minimise China's efforts to control Pacific governments, assets and resources,” Leon...

The Fijian parliament will debate the Media Industry Development (Budget Amendment) Bill 2010 later this week. The Bill seeks to amend the Act to ensure that those who are directly in charge of a media organisation and its operations are shielded from any outside influence, that may by formal agreement or other arrangements, essentially take over or control the provision...

New UN-backed guidelines issued on Monday aim to protect, include and empower children forced to flee their homes due to the climate crisis, marking the first-ever global effort to address this increasingly major concern. The Guiding Principles for Children on the Move in the Context of Climate Change contain a set of nine principles that address the unique and layered...

Terrified Port Moresby residents have welcomed soldiers in armoured vehicles on the streets of the capital after two days of chaos and fear created by machete wielding supporters of political opponents. The National Security Advisory Council ordered 100 men from the 1PIR Taurama Barracks onto the streets after clashes between knife wielding opportunists send frightened citizens packing and turned sections...

The United States will host a virtual meeting on Tuesday of officials from the 14 countries in Asia and the Pacific that have joined the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The ministerial meet – to be hosted by U.S Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo – is part of moves by Washington to expand its engagement with Asia. The meeting...

By Aubrey Belford (OCCRP), OCCRP Pacific, Hyein Kang (KCIJ-Newstapa), and Myungju Lee (KCIJ-Newstapa) Grace Road Church believes a nuclear-tinged Judgment Day is rapidly approaching — and that Fiji is the post-apocalyptic promised land from which they’ll feed humanity. But despite repeated accusations of abuses, including ritual beatings and forcing members to perform unpaid labor, they’ve received a warm welcome...