PINA

The U.S Navy and U.S Coast Guard have begun their joint patrol in the Western Pacific under the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative to reduce and eliminate illegal, unregulated, unreported fishing, combat transnational crimes, and enhance regional security, the U.S Indo-Pacific Command announced. Commander Richard Skinnell, Mobile’s commanding officer, said the maritime security initiative, which began 20 March, “is imperative to...

A resolution enlisting the UN's top court in tackling climate change, spearheaded by Vanuatu, would be a “historic2 step if adopted, its climate minister said as he laid out the existential threat facing his Pacific island nation. The UN General Assembly is set to consider the measure -- which asks the International Court of Justice to lay out nations' obligations...

China has accused outgoing Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) President David Panuelo for breaking serious political commitments he made to Beijing “multiple times”. Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian said this during a media briefing in Suva last week where he said he was aware of a 13-page letter written by Panuelo. “Frankly speaking, I am shocked at these ‘so called...

Papua New Guinea Minister for Internal Security, Peter Tsiamalili has applauded law enforcement cooperation that saw the interception of a large quantity of methamphetamines transported from Papua New Guinea to Australia. “I can confirm that the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary has been working closely with the Australian Federal Police on a joint investigation into a Transnational and Serious Organised...

With a banner reading “Don’t mine the Moana”, and flying a Tino Rangatiratanga flag, a Māori activist from Northland joined two Greenpeace activists in the Eastern Pacific to confront the deep sea mining research vessel, James Cook off the coast of Costa Rica. While critical negotiations at the controversial International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting in Jamaica are ongoing, the Greenpeace...

An investigation by conservationists has found evidence that deep-seabed mining of rare minerals could cause “extensive and irreversible” damage to the planet. The report, to be published on Monday by the international wildlife charity Fauna & Flora, adds to the growing controversy that surrounds proposals to sweep the ocean floor of rare minerals that include cobalt, manganese and nickel. Mining...

Op-ed by Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa Talofa Lava and warm Pacific greetings. I'm honoured to be given the opportunity to deliver this Pacific Lecture, as has been the tradition for the Lowy Institute to host world leaders in order to foster positive relations between Australia and our respective countries. I have been asked to provide through a Samoa-focused lens, Pacific perspectives...

China has assured Solomon Islands that all funded Games Infrastructure will be completed and ready in time for the Sol2023 Pacific Games this year. The Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands Li Ming, reassured Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare of this during a brief meeting last week in Honiara. “All the Games infrastructure facilities that China is financing will be completed...

Double Olympic Games gold medalist Jerry Tuwai has been named the 2022 Fiji Sports Awards Fiji Tattslotto Sportsman of the Year. This is the second time Tuwai has received this award for his accolades after being named the sportsman of the year in 2020. Tuwai has become Fiji’s most decorated 7s player after collecting the World Rugby 7’s Player of the...

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says remittance inflows from our sports men and women contracted abroad is one of our highest foreign exchange earners, with remittances between $30m and $60m (US$15 - $30 million) annually. Rabuka said Fijians know what it would mean for a not just a family but a community or village when one of our own secures...