PINA

Laughing off claims Fijian Drua will be the easybeats of Super Rugby Pacific, the NSW Waratahs are instead on guard against a first-round ambush from the competition's newcomers. Winless in 2021, the Waratahs enter their season opener on Friday night at Commbank Stadium with renewed confidence after an unbeaten trial campaign against the Queensland Reds, Brumbies and combined Shute Shield...

Many of the 40 Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players were not born when Super Rugby started in 1996. However, some of the youngsters will be part of the matchday 23 that will be announced tomorrow by Head Coach Mick Byrne to face the Waratahs on Friday. Years of sacrifices and commitments will come to fruition in three days when the Drua...

The President of the Federated States of Micronesia says his country has paused its withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum as they expect the current head, Cook Island's Henry Puna to step down in June. Five Micronesian countries were scheduled to leave the regional body this year over their disagreement with election of the former Cook Islands' prime minister. But David...

The planet is facing the triple crises of climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution, Secretary-General António Guterres told the One Ocean Summit on Friday, warning that “the ocean shoulders much of the burden”. As the ocean serves as a giant carbon and heat sink, it is growing warmer and more acidic, causing its ecosystems to suffer. “Polar ice is melting and...

The Tonga Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcanic eruption, tsunami and ashfall has caused an estimated US$90.4 million (TOP 208 million) in damages – the equivalent of approximately 18.5% of Tonga's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – a World Bank assessment for the Government of Tonga has found. The Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) report on the 15 January eruption was prepared by the...

The collapse of a key Pacific diplomatic body seems to have been averted at the last minute, with Micronesian countries “temporarily” rescinding their withdrawal. The results of an acrimonious leadership contest last February had threatened to shatter the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Disappointed by the outcome of the election for the Forum's top job, Micronesian nations gave themselves a timetable of...

There has been a reprieve for Pacific regionalism and the unity of the Pacific Islands Forum. And U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has welcomed the decision of the Forum’s Micronesian members to press pause on their withdrawal from the grouping. A Federated States of Micronesia statement following a meeting of the Micronesian Presidents Summit Friday, said the leaders,” having discussed...

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna has called on all States to play their part when it comes to maintaining the health of the ocean. SG Puna made the plea as he attended the One Ocean Summit conference in Brest, France, also attending in his capacity as the Pacific Ocean Commissioner. Commissioner Puna drew attention to the priorities of the...

The United States will open an embassy in the Solomon Islands, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday as he committed more diplomatic and security resources into the Pacific as a counter to China's drive for greater influence. Blinken, in Fiji for virtual summit of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) of regional leaders, heard their concerns about the need...

A Marshall Islands ship registry official has pushed back at criticism a U.S organisation lobbed its way as part of the announcement that the United States government is going to launch an “open” ship registry. The announcement late last month by the United States government that it plans to establish an “open” ship registry based in the U.S Virgin Islands...