PINA

Fijiana Drua have unveiled another weapon in their armoury as they completed a clean sweep of their regular season Super W matches with a 17-7 win over the Brumbies in Brisbane. Renowned for free-flowing, ball-in-hand rugby, the first two of Fijianas three tries at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday were the result of well-executed forward drives and the third came after...

America’s next ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, said she was committed to taking a stronger stance against China’s coercion in the Indo-Pacific once she takes up her position later this year. Kennedy, the only remaining child of President John F. Kennedy, said the United States and Australia should do more together in the Pacific islands, noting that the reopening of...

The Russian invasion of Ukraine ignited unrest in Europe and other allies over concerns of Russian oligarchs expanding their reach through the economic citizenship gateway. Most of the countries offering economic citizenship have officially announced bans on ‘Russians and Belarusians’ from acquiring citizenship of their country but Vanuatu. According to a senior member of Vanuatu’s Citizenship’s Office and Commission (COC), the...

A security alliance between China and the Solomon Islands has sent shudders throughout the South Pacific, with many worried it could set off a large-scale military buildup or that Western animosity to the deal could play into China’s hands. What remains most unclear is the extent of China’s ambitions. A Chinese military presence in the Solomons would put it not only...

Two of Australia’s top spy chiefs were quietly deployed to the Solomon Islands over fears of the nation’s security deal with China. Australian officials have still not seen the text of a security pact between China and the Solomon Islands despite two spy chiefs being deployed to the Pacific Island nation to express the government’s deep concerns. Office of National Intelligence...

Around 3.5 million people in the Western Pacific die each year as a result of environmental causes, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) data released on Thursday. In a virtual press conference, Takeshi Kasai, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, said extreme weather events such as droughts, heat waves, typhoons, floods, and wildfires affect people's health in various parts...

Experts say multiple factors likely caused tidal surges along Japan's coast after the massive undersea volcanic eruption in Tonga on 15 January. The Japan Meteorological Agency released a report of an expert panel on the surge mechanism on Thursday. It cites barometric waves, or changes in atmospheric pressure due to the eruption shock, as a main cause. But it says further...

As the French Pacific is gearing up for Sunday's first round of the French presidential election, incumbent Emmanuel Macron appears to be enjoying the most support among the 14 candidates. Committees set up in support of Macron have been campaigning with the backing of those in power in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. However, pro-independence parties have remained aloof, either declining...

Fiji's Opposition Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader Viliame Gavoka says the upcoming general elections needs to be held democratically. Gavoka said right now, he has some concerns about the way the voter registration drive is being conducted by the Fijian Election Office. While speaking in an objection to the Investment Bill, Gavoka said for overseas voters to only be given...

Opinion editorial by ANZ’s Pacific Regional Executive, Tessa Price Few regions have been so affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as the Pacific. As governments, customers and businesses try to get back on track, major companies like ANZ have a role to play in helping foster that renewal. We announced last week we would strengthen our focus on building a world-class...