PINA

A pro-independence leader in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia will be held in France after being charged on Saturday, over deadly riots last month, his lawyer said. Christian Tein, head of the pro-independence activist CCAT group, will be sent almost 17,000 kilometres to France with the group's communications chief Brenda Wanabo. An investigating magistrate charged Tein in New Caledonia's...

By Stephen Diisango* The hostile, coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) is threatening Solomon Islands coconut plantations likely subjecting to extinction. It poses a serious threat to the country’s coconut industry unless urgent steps are taken to exterminate this coconut pest once and for all. Known regionally as the ‘tree of life’, every part of the coconut tree is used – from...

On Olympic Day, World Rugby and Paris 2024 have unveiled the pools for the Olympic rugby sevens competitions taking place in the French capital from 24-30 July. The 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams were allocated to three pools of four teams based on their rankings due to performances over the last two years of the HSBC SVNS Series, Challenger...

The eight Members of Vanuatu Parliament from Tafea Province have made a bold and powerful call to the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to stop the violence and killing being committed against the Kanaky people. The MPs include Trade Minister Bob Loughman, Internal Affairs Minister Johnny Koanapo, Youth and Sports Minister Tomker Netvunei, Agriculture Minister Nako Natuman, MP...

The overwhelming majority of people around the world want an end to geopolitical differences when it comes to fighting climate change, the results of a landmark public opinion poll conducted by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has shown. Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024, the biggest ever standalone public opinion survey on climate change, also showed that 80 per cent of the...

The Yap Election Commission in the Federated States of Mironesia (FSM) on Friday will begin tabulating the ballots cast during the 31 May referendum related to the island state’s political status. Yap voters were asked to answer the question: “Shall the State of Yap commence a review of its political status?” Officials said the ballot boxes from off-island have arrived at...

Global Environment Facility member countries has approved US$736.4 million in funding, including new support for the Great Green Wall, a landmark initiative focused on increasing climate resilience and improving land health across Africa’s Sahel region. The diverse package of financing includes the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund’s first three approved projects, less than a year after the fund’s launch, and...

Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) has appointed Rufino Varea as its new Regional Director. Hailing from Oinafa Village in Rotuma, Rufino Varea brings extensive experience in marine ecotoxicology and environmental risk assessment to the role. Varea’s career began with recognition as the inaugural recipient of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Development Research for Oceania Pipeline Award. He also completed a...

Australia will provide a further AUD$2 million (US$1.3 million) to support reconstruction efforts in Papua New Guinea after last month’s deadly landslide, the government said Thursday. The South Pacific nation off Australia’s northern coast is still struggling with the aftermath of the disaster in Enga province in its mountainous interior, which the United Nations estimated killed 670 villagers and immediately...

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) takes full responsibility for the running aground of the $20million (US$10 million) RFNS Puamau, says Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai. Major-General Kalouniwai said this despite the vessel being under the responsibility of the Fiji Navy. “At the end of the day, we will always be responsible for the high value assets we have,”...