PINA

The world’s oceans in 2021 grew to their warmest and most acidic levels on record, while melting ice sheets helped push sea levels to new heights, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Wednesday. Oceans saw the most striking extremes as the WMO detailed a range of turmoil wrought by climate change in its annual “State of the Global Climate”...

An Irish telco has demanded the Australian government directly intervene in a tax dispute it has with the Papua New Guinea government over a $130 million (US$90 million) payment in a last ditch effort to sell its Pacific assets to Telstra. Digicel, which was to sell its Pacific network to Telstra with the help of the Australian government in a...

Eleven factsheets designed to convey and communicate the key findings of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report are available for all members of the public so they can stay up to date with the latest developments and how climate change impacts them. The factsheets, developed by a partnership between The Australian National University (ANU) and the Pacific...

The European Union has resolved to step up its defence strategy in the Indo-Pacific region in light of fears about China’s growing presence and concerns for the international order sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Our motto is always to cooperate whenever possible, but to defend whenever necessary as well,” said Gabriele Visentin, the EU’s special envoy to the Indo-Pacific....

The Republican-led Senate on Wednesday voted four to three to acquit Republican Governor Ralph Torres of all the charges filed against him by the Democrat-Independent-led House of Representatives in six articles of impeachment. At least six of the nine senators must vote to convict the governor in order to remove him from office. House Resolution 22-14 accused the governor of corruption,...

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced that the seven-month suspension of Robert Tapaitau who is facing fraud related and theft charges as a Minister of the Crown has been lifted ahead of the general election later in the year. “In light of Tapaitau’s court hearing not expected until next year 2023 and after taking advice from the Crown...

The pro-independence coalition parties of New Caledonia have selected their candidates for the French Legislative elections being held in June. Wali Wahetra from the Palika Party is standing in one electoral district, and Gerard Reignier from Union Caledonienne is standing in the other. Speaking with La Premiere, Wahetra explained what the New Caledonian pro-independence coalition will demand from the French National...

Solomon Islands' signing of a significant security pact with China has made foreign aid a key election issue and brought into question Australia's role in the Asia-Pacific. By Henry Zwartz Dr Divi Ogaoga is working to provide life-saving medical care across remote areas in Solomon Islands. But when you ask him who helps fund his work, it's not Australia, but a...

The 12 women’s and 16 men’s captains got ready for lift off as they lined up in front of the Ariane 5 space rocket at Space City on Wednesday ahead of the HSBC France Sevens, which is taking place in Toulouse for the first time. Rugby fans in France and around the world can look forward to being entertained by...

Fijian Drua Head Coach Mick Byrne has announced his line-up for big clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch this Friday. Missing from the line-up will be recent team captain Meli Derenalagi and prop Meli Tuni, both of whom will undergo immediate surgery for ACL injury. The injuries and required rehabilitation mean both players are out for the reminder of the...