PINA

President of the Federated States of Micronesia(FSM) David Panuelo, has transmitted a proposed bill, the FSM Freedom of Information Act, to the 22nd FSM Congress for its members’ review and consideration. As originally described during his inaugural address in July 2019, President Panuelo’s proposed Freedom of Information Act intends to institutionalise the disclosure of public information by establishing suitable procedures,...

Samoa Member of Parliament for Faleata No.3 Ale Vena Ale has raised major concerns relating to bribery and corrupt practices during election petitions after an election. Ale Vena Ale made a suggestion that the Government should consider drawing the fine line on what is considered cultural practice and bribery during campaign periods for any election. He made the points when he...

The World Trade Organisation's (WTO) current negotiations on ending fisheries subsidies are undermining livelihoods and development for developing and least-developed countries. This was echoed by small-scale fisher groups, civil society organisations, intra-government bodies and Member country negotiators at the WTO public forum on "Catching Development: Acting Together for Sustainable Fisheries Trade", hosted by the Pacific Network on Globalisation and Handelskampanjen. “The...

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna says the Pacific is keen to host a meeting of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones in the Blue Pacific in 2022. SG Puna made the comment while addressing the 27th Session of the General Conference of the OPANAL and Member States for the 54th anniversary of the Treaty of Tlatelolco. “I reiterate the ongoing solidarity of the...

CNMI representative Sheila Babauta has introduced House Joint Resolution 22-11 to condemn the Japanese government's decision to dump nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean. The joint resolution, which was co-sponsored by the rest of the House members, also calls for the CNMI to join the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Pacific Island Forum and the UN Special Rapporteurs in...

With the climate crisis already devastating lives and incomes, young people will be critical to driving global action forward, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told participants attending the Pre-COP Youth Event in Milan, Italy, on Thursday. Hundreds of delegates from across the world are taking part in the meeting, which is a precursor to the UN COP26 climate change conference in...

Fiji has recorded 70 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, increasing the total number of cases to 50,953 and 622 deaths since the outbreak in April this year. Permanent secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said there have been 103 new recoveries to report since the last update, which means that there are now 12,841 active cases. “There have been 50,953 cases...

World Rugby has announced details of a new cross-regional annual international competition titled, Pacific Four Series, that will bring together some of the world’s top women’s teams. Contested by four of the world’s top teams - Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA – the Pacific Four Series will act as one of the principle annual qualification routes for the top...

Weightlifters from Oceania have won titles and set records at their senior Championships, despite the fact that the competition was organised online. It is the first continental Championships ever to take place online, and the first time results from a virtual competition have been officially endorsed by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). The IWF approved the format in exceptional circumstances. Because of...

Viliame Kikau’s ascent from shy teenager to NRL superstar could not have happened without the love and support of one Townsville family. Panthers forward Viliame Kikau has credited the “beautiful family” he stayed with in Townsville for two years for setting him on his path to stardom after arriving in Australia from Fiji as a shy teenager with a sketchy...