PINA

Two of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have reported their first community spread of covid since the pandemic began in early 2020, ending the country's status as one of a handful of covid-free countries globally. The FSM President's Office said that after two college students tested positive for Covid on Monday, health authorities tested 11...

A prolonged indentation in sea levels is being blamed for causing damaging elevated high tides in the Cook Islands, both Samoas and French Polynesia. A scientist at New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Connon Andrews said it's a common phenomenon although the intensity of such events are being exacerbated by sea level rising. “The issue is that...

Cook Islands businesses have rallied round in the wake of last week’s flooding as they prepare for another battering. The king tides, which reached as high as 4.5 metres on the south side of Rarotonga, are expected to return on today, with some parts of the island likely to experience swells of close to five metres. The effect on businesses of...

Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has surpassed absolutely majority with 37,501 votes on Tuesday and declared winner of the Ialibu-Pangia Open seat. O'Neill thanked his supporters for their unwavering commitment to democracy. “There has been a lot of incentives given to the voters of Ialibu Pangia to switch allegiance from myself to others and I want to thank...

France's Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga and Tuvalu says his country shares the Pacific's ambition for regional integration. As major powers China and the United States lock horns to battle for influence in the region, François-Xavier Léger said working together cooperatively was “part of France's DNA and diplomacy.” Speaking at the 233rd Bastille Day Anniversary celebrations in Suva on Monday...

In the margins of the Kiwa Initiative Steering Committee meeting chaired by Canada, the Kiwa Initiative awarded grants to ten local projects in the Pacific Island Countries, as well as launched the third Kiwa regional project implemented by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The Kiwa Initiative – Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate resilience aims at strengthening the climate change resilience of...

The Fiji Pearls started its Oceania Netball World Cup Qualifier campaign with a big win over Papua New Guinea last night. Our Pearls thrashed the Pepes 74-32 in game one of the qualifiers at the Vodafone Arena in Suva. The national side was fired up from the first quarter with former basketball player and Pearls shooter Vilisi Tavui making sure of...

Excitement is building for the return of age-group football in the Oceania region, following confirmation of the draw for the OFC U-19 Championship 2022 on Tuesday, 19 July. The two finalists from the tournament, which will involve all 11 OFC Member Associations, will qualify for the FIFA U20 Men's World Cup in Indonesia next year. Group A sees seven-time champions New...

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says the Pacific Islands’ ocean holds 60 percent of the world’s tuna resources and “that is our global economic strength”. “If we stand together, we can ensure that we get the best deal for our countries,” he said in his address at the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji last week. “This Forum must be...

The support from Pacific leaders for an advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is welcomed and must begin a global groundswell of support ahead of the UN General Assembly in September, The Civil Society Alliance Supporting an Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Climate Change (CSO ICJAO Alliance) said. Led by...