PINA

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Tokyo At only 18 years of age, Nancy Abouke of Nauru is now ranked 10th in the women’s 76kg category after her Tokyo 2020 Olympic debut in weightlifting. The young Nauru lifter competed alongside some of the world’s top female lifters in the 76kg body weight category, recording a total lift of 203kg (snatch-90kg and...

Since the ancient Olympics in Greece, medicine and healthcare have played a key role in the success of athletes in every Olympiad The same holds true for the modern Olympics since 1896. In fact, in concept, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Medical and Scientific Commission is the oldest of its commissions for precisely this reason. Guam’s Dr Luis Cruz who is...

No doubt, many in the national, regional and global sporting and Olympic Movement probably do. Rapilla is a trailblazer in the sporting world. ‘I've been very fortunate that I've had great support from day one. Sir John Dawanincura was Secretary-General when I came in. He took me on board, and he believed in me and challenged me,’ said Rapilla. She...

A top Democrat and vice chairwoman of the United States House armed services committee wants greater inclusion of Australia in a Pacific naval strategy, suggesting any conflict with China could easily happen away from the main confrontation point of Taiwan, in waters where the Communist regime wants to create choke points. Congresswoman and former navy commander Elaine Luria, the first...

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced further support for Fiji, including funding support for nursing staff and 100,000 doses of vaccines due to arrive in country today. “Our thoughts remain with Fiji during this incredibly challenging period,” Mahuta said. “New Zealand has funded 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine directly from the Spanish government in order to meet Fiji’s...

Solomon Islands has closed its borders to incoming travellers indefinitely in a bid to keep the delta variant of Covid-19 out of the country. Neighbouring countries Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Australia continue to grapple with the deadly variant with Fiji the worst affected with over 22,000 active cases, and over 230 deaths since April. Solomon Islands Health Minister Culwick Togamana...

By Heike Alefsen and Miles Young There have been notable human rights developments in the Pacific during the past four years since the joint United Nations Human Rights-Pacific Community (SPC) report on the human rights situation in the region was last published: Achievements have included increased protection of human rights through changes in domestic law such as family protection...

The Palau Government is in talks with Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan to restart its tourism given Palau’s success and high rate of the vaccination programmes, according to President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. Tourism Minister Ngirai Tmetuchl said that the discussion with Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore has started. Tmetuchl told reporters at a 21 July press conference that while the bubbles with...

Size isn't everything, but when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations, being small certainly helps. Niue, a Pacific Island nation with a population of 1,600, was recently celebrated for reaching "herd immunity" in its fight against COVID-19. It has fully vaccinated 97 percent of its eligible population with Pfizer doses donated by New Zealand. “Niue is one of the few countries in the...

The region's response to the COVID-19 pandemic dominated the Pacific Islands Forum's (PIF) Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers' forum held last week chaired by Tuvalu’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simon Kofe. In a statement issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Marise Payne, emphasised their contribution to the Pacific in fighting...