by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In a significant demonstration of military collaboration, China and Russia have successfully completed a joint aerial patrol in the Pacific region. This operation, which took place in early October 2023, underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two nations amidst a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and evolving security dynamics…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Training commenced this week in Suva, Fiji, aimed at assisting Pacific health professionals in tracking mosquito resistance to insecticides. The Pacific Mosquito Surveillance Strengthening for Impact (PacMOSSI) program encompasses various activities, such as identifying mosquito species to determine their local distributions, collecting larvae, and breeding Aedes mosquitoes for testing. Mosquito…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Pacific Island leaders have tried almost everything—from giving speeches in knee-deep seawater, to shouting and crying —to draw attention to the impacts of climate change on their nations. But as their attempts to spark drastic action have been met by slow-moving international climate negotiationsand the continued use of fossil fuels, interest in…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is getting healthier compared to other regions and was the least affected by Covid-19 deaths in the first two years, but the incidence of non-communicable diseases is rising due to increased smoking and drinking of alcohol. This mix of good…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor China has surpassed the United States and regained its place as the second-largest bilateral donor to the Pacific Islands, according to a new report published Wednesday by the Lowy Institute. Australia remains the largest donor. Every year, the Lowy Institute, an Australia-based research group, releases a Pacific Aid Map that…
by Jake Sanders, Editor Pacific media watchdogs have expressed concerns that strict limitations at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa indicate the government’s desire to control the narrative and minimize negative coverage. The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Pacific Freedom Forum have jointly appealed to Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiame…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Government and environmental agencies in Samoa are on high alert following a fire that caused a New Zealand Navy ship to sink off the south coast of Upolu. The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialized dive and hydrographic vessel, was conducting a reef survey when it struck the reef on Saturday night….
by Tusi Tasla, Staff Writer The creation of a Pacific Response Group (PRG) emerged as a key outcome from the ninth South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting (SPDMM), which concluded in Auckland on Thursday. The three-day meeting was hosted by New Zealand, with participation from Chile, France, Fiji, Australia, and Tonga as member nations. The United…
by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, reportedly aims to establish a more “equal” alliance with the United States. Taking office this week, Ishiba is advocating for the presence of Japanese forces in Guam, as stated in a report by the Pacific Island Times. According to the report, Ishiba expressed that…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer A Tinian inter-island airline has been accused of discrimination by the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) after it sought to have a “weight specific” officer assigned, in line with the aircraft’s weight limitations. Star Marianas, which has been offering complimentary transport for USCBP personnel from Saipan to Rota to…