In this bulletin:
1. NAURU — Nauru appoints first Vice President Aingimea after Constitutional reform
2. FIJI — Tonga PM Lord Fakafānua pays tribute to late Fiji President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
3. SOL — PM Manele in Fiji as Parliament deadline looms; Opposition slams “blatant defiance” of Court order
4. PACIFIC — UN pushes action on resilience for LDCs and SIDS
5. PACIFIC — Pacific leaders demand real finance as region unites ahead of global fossil fuel conference
6. CNMI — Parts of Northern Marianas could be without power for weeks after super typhoon
7. PNG— All charges against PNG Defence Force ‘whistleblowers’ put on hold
8. PACIFIC — U.S launches fifth strike on alleged Pacific drug boat in a week, killing three
9. PACNEWS BIZ — MSC’s ‘blue tick’ scheme creates illusion of ethically sourced fish, study claims
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific monuments reopening push fights over fishing, culture
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Sun wins defamation battle
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — Powering health in a changing climate: KOICA-supported renovations for a critical health facility in Fiji
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — The Epstein files: Rights experts demand accountability, call for probe into trafficking allegations
NAURU – VICE PRESIDENT: PACNEWS/NAURU GOVT PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Apr 2026
Nauru appoints first Vice President Aingimea after Constitutional reform
YAREN, 17 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS/NAURU GOVT) —Minister Lionel Aingimea has been appointed Vice President of Nauru after Parliament passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, creating the role.
Following the bill’s passage in Parliament Thursday, he was sworn into office.
President David Adeang said the new law marks a key step forward.
“We have taken a significant step forward in strengthening our nation’s governance and modernising our constitutional framework”.
Vice President Aingimea said the role carries serious responsibility and called for cooperation across government.
“The work that we do, we do for our country. And the work that benefits this country benefits Nauruans and all the residents here.”
The Vice President will support the President in carrying out official duties and assume responsibilities in the President’s absence.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, first tabled on 14 January 2026, returned to Parliament after a 90-day layover for further debate and was passed with the full support of all 18 Members of Parliament….PACNEWS
FIJI – STATE FUNERAL: FIJI GOVT/FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Apr 2026
Tonga PM Lord Fakafānua pays tribute to late Fiji President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
SUVA, 17 APRIL 2026 (FIJI GOVT/FIJI TIMES)—The Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Fatafehi Fakafānua, paid his respects to the late former President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, at the State House on Thursday, where the former Head of State lies-in-state.
Prime Minister Fakafānua observed a moment of solemn tribute before the casket and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.
The occasion reflects the close and enduring relations between Fiji and Tonga, grounded not only in shared history, but also in longstanding familial and chiefly ties, and the high regard in which Ratu Epeli Nailatikau’s distinguished service and leadership are held across the Pacific.
The Kingdom of Tonga will fly its flags at half-mast today in honour of the late former President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, reflecting deep regional ties.
“The Public is hereby notified that the Cabinet has decreed that all national flags in the Kingdom of Tonga are to be flown at half-mast on Friday 17th April, 2026 in respect of the state funeral of His Excellency Brigadier-General, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, former President of the Republic of Fiji,” said the Acting Chief Secretary and Secretary to cabinet of the kingdom of Tonga in a statement.
Widely regarded as a humble leader, Ratu Epeli was often described as the people’s president, known for walking among ordinary citizens and connecting personally with communities throughout his service.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau’s strong links to Tonga, through his father’s heritage, further underscore the significance of the Kingdom’s tribute.
Meanwhile, a quiet sense of reverence filled the State House Thursday as Government leaders and members of the public gathered to honour the late former President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka led the viewing, followed by Deputy Prime Minister, Viliame Gavoka and fellow ministers, assistant ministers, and Members of Parliament, each arriving in solemn reflection to pay their respects.
Senior officers of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, including former commanders, joined members of the diplomatic corps and Government representatives in signing the condolence book, offering heartfelt messages of sympathy before proceeding to the casket.
Inside, a deep silence settled over the room. One by one, leaders paused with bowed heads, reflecting on the life of a man who served Fiji with distinction as President, as Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, and as a statesman whose legacy will endure for generations.
Members of the public also turned out in large numbers, respectfully observing protocols as they came to pay tribute.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau State Memorial Church Service will be held at Albert Park this morning.
Following the church service, a ceremonial procession will move through Suva City before he is laid to rest at the Sautabu on Bau Island, a final journey for a leader whose life was defined by service, dignity, and unwavering commitment to Fiji……PACNEWS
SOL – DIPLOMACY: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Apr 2026
PM Manele in Fiji as Parliament deadline looms; Opposition slams “blatant defiance” of Court order
HONIARA, 17 APRIL 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS) —The Solomon Islands is currently gripped by a constitutional standoff as the 28-member Opposition coalition accuses Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of a “blatant disregard for a lawful court directive.”
This follows the Prime Minister’s departure for Fiji despite a High Court mandate requiring him to convene Parliament within three days.
The coalition views this conduct as a grave disrespect to the rule of law and a serious undermining of the judiciary, noting that the court-ordered deadline is set to lapse this Friday.
In a statement, the coalition argued that the Prime Minister’s departure in the face of such a deadline raises “profound constitutional questions regarding compliance with binding judicial directions and the obligations of the executive under our democratic system.”
They further characteriSed the situation as an “international embarrassment,” claiming it reflects a “serious erosion of leadership responsibility” for a leader they allege is leading a minority government. Their message remains firm: “The Constitution must be obeyed. The Court must be respected. Parliament must sit.”
Prime Minister Manele is currently in Fiji chairing a Troika meeting as the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and is expected to return to Honiara tomorrow.
However, his legal team has already moved to challenge the ruling, filing an appeal and an application for a stay of the High Court’s order on Wednesday.
The High Court was scheduled to hear the application for a stay on Thursday.
While the executive seeks to stall, the Governor-General, Sir David Tiva Kapu, has indicated his readiness to step in.
In a letter dated 15 April, Sir David acknowledged the Chief Justice’s orders, stating that if the Prime Minister fails to act, he “may exercise my residual constitutional powers as a last resort safeguard to convene Parliament therewith.”
He clarified the timeline, noting that “The 3 days that the High Court has ordered the Prime Minister to convene parliament will lapse on Friday this week. Therefore, I may exercise my residual constitutional powers after the lapse of the 3 days if the Prime Minister fails to convene Parliament for a meeting.”
However, the Governor-General also noted that the Prime Minister’s legal maneuvers could complicate the process.
He observed that the pending appeal “may also hinder any action on my part if the Court of Appeal stays the order of the High Court.”
Despite this, Sir David maintained his commitment to the judicial process, concluding that “I will exercise my powers to convene parliament at the appropriate date and time.”
Ultimately, the immediate path forward for the nation and the Governor-General’s next steps remain uncertain, as the final outcome depends on the application for stay.
PAC – DIPLOMACY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Apr 2026
UN pushes action on resilience for LDCs and SIDS
PHNOM PENH, 17 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)—The United Nations ESCAP Pacific Office and UN-OHRLLS say countries must move from commitments to action as climate risks and development pressures intensify across the Asia-Pacific.
Leaders and partners met in Cambodia to assess progress under the Doha Programme of Action and sharpen focus on delivery.
“At its core, the meeting was driven by a shared ambition to ensure that no country is left behind on the journey toward sustainable development and resilience.”
Discussions centred on six priority areas, including poverty reduction, innovation, climate resilience, and global partnerships, with a strong focus on practical outcomes.
Representing the UN in Micronesia, Resident Coordinator Mamadou Kane stressed that climate action must go beyond single sectors.
“Climate resilience must be understood as a whole-of-society transformation, touching health, education, gender equality, economic diversification and cultural continuity.”
The meeting also brought renewed attention to the Pacific, where vulnerabilities remain high.
“In Micronesia, Kiribati stands as the region’s only LDC, positioned on the front lines of the climate crisis.”
Officials said countries are already taking steps to strengthen resilience with UN support.
“With the support of the UN system, countries are strengthening early warning systems, safeguarding livelihoods and unlocking climate finance to build a more resilient future.”
The issue of LDC graduation was also flagged as critical.
“The meeting also underscored the importance of getting graduation right, including ongoing reviews of country eligibility and the need for strong transition strategies to ensure progress is sustainable and resilient.”
As attention turns to the 2027 global review, the message from the meeting was clear.
“Progress is possible, Partnerships are powerful and resilience is within reach”
Officials said urgency remains, but so does confidence in regional cooperation.
“Together, from Micronesia to the wider Asia-Pacific, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s strength.”…..PACNEWS
PAC – ENERGY TRANSITION: PMN PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Apr 2026
Pacific leaders demand real finance as region unites ahead of global fossil fuel conference
PORT VILA, 17 APRIL 2026 (PMN)—Pacific leaders are calling for urgent and “real” climate finance as they unite ahead of the world’s first major global talks on phasing out fossil fuels later this month.
The talks come as Pacific nations are already feeling the impact of the Iran conflict, with rising fuel prices and supply pressures exposing the region’s heavy reliance on imported diesel.
Ministers from Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) met in Port Vila this week for their Dialogue on Global Just Transition to align their position before the Santa Marta conference in Colombia.
The Santa Marta meeting is set to focus on transitioning away from coal, oil, and gas.
At the centre of their message is a clear demand: without proper funding, the Pacific cannot make the shift.
“When we talk about just transition, we are literally talking about real finance that is delivered without red tape and that supports communities,” Tuvalu’s Minister for Climate Change, Dr Maina Talia, told a media conference.
Pacific nations are among the most dependent on fossil fuels, but also among the most vulnerable to climate change.
Many have already set ambitious targets to move to 100 per cent renewable energy but say progress is being slowed by a lack of support.
“We have made commitments to transition away from fossil fuels, but we lack the resources to make the transition ourselves,” Palau’s Environment Minister Steven Victor also told journalists.
The urgency has been sharpened by a growing global fuel crisis, linked to conflict in the Middle East, which has exposed how fragile the energy supply can be for island nations.
Vanuatu’s Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu told the conference that the situation has been a wake-up call.
“I acknowledge that many countries are now struggling to find the energy they need when supply is cut or reduced,” he said. “For Vanuatu, it has been a moment of realisation that we really have to scale up and fast-track as much as possible on our National Energy Road Map.”
Delegates attend the Pacific Small Island Developing States dialogue in Port Vila, calling for urgent and accessible climate finance. Photo/Facebook/Pacific Islands Forum
Vanuatu is aiming to reach 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and says it is on track but Regenvanu stressed that more funding is critical to get there.
“This is my first call to finance. I must have more finance,” he said.
Pacific leaders say the upcoming Santa Marta meeting must go beyond talk and deliver real outcomes, especially around funding and global accountability.
“Our path to Santa Marta should not be limited by the unwillingness of other countries,” Talia said. “What matters is the willingness of Pacific nations and those ready to engage, as we take on a new role and step forward together.”
The Port Vila meeting also reinforced support for a global fossil fuel treaty, an idea first pushed by Pacific nations and now gaining international backing.
Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat said the region has long led global climate action out of necessity.
“The Pacific has never waited to be invited to lead on climate,” he said in his address to the meeting. “We have led because we had no other choice.”
He warned that continued reliance on fossil fuels is not sustainable. “Fossil fuel dependency is not an economic model. It is a development trap. And it is time we disrupt and change this model.”
As preparations continue for the Colombia talks, Pacific leaders say unity will be key to pushing their message on the world stage.
For the region, the transition away from fossil fuels is not just about climate targets but survival.
“We are not asking the world for handouts,” Talia said. “We are asking the world to help us save our Blue Pacific continent, which will save the future of humanity.”
The first conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels in Colombia will be held on 28 and 29 April…..PACNEWS
CNMI – TYPHOON DAMAGE: AP PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Apr 2026
Parts of Northern Marianas could be without power for weeks after super typhoon
SAIPAN, 17 APRIL 2026 (AP)—Some hard hit areas of the Northern Marianas could be without power and water for weeks after the Pacific Ocean islands were battered by a super typhoon, an official said Thursday.
The only hospital on Saipan, an island in the archipelago, suffered severe flooding and there were reports of major resorts that lost backup generators, said Ed Propst, a former lawmaker who works in the governor’s office.
“It’s pretty bad conditions right now,” he said, adding that residents were bracing for a long stretch without electricity and water.
Authorities were just beginning to assess the damage left behind by Super Typhoon Sinlaku. The storm first hit the islands Tuesday night local time and continued with a barrage of fierce winds and relentless rains for hours Wednesday that flipped over cars, toppled utility poles and ripped away tin roofs. So far, there have been no reports of deaths.
Power and water were out and many of the roads were impassable across Saipan and Tinian, islands in the U.S Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, home to about 45,000 people, according to officials.
“We still have a shelter in place so first responders have not been able to do a full damage assessment,” Bernard Villagomez, public information officer for the territory’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said in a text message to The Associated Press on Thursday.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) planned to send more personnel to the region and ramp up shipments of supplies.
The storm also battered Guam, another U.S. territory and the site of several American military bases, with tropical force winds.
In an AP interview, AccuWeather meteorologist Jason Nicholls says Super Typhoon Sinlaku has caused damage across the island of Saipan.
The typhoon — the strongest tropical cyclone this year — was packing sustained winds of up to 150 mph (241 kph) when it made landfall on the islands, the National Weather Service said.
The monster storm still had winds of 125 mph (201 kph) late Wednesday night as it pulled away to the north from the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota, the weather service said. Sinlaku is expected start curving toward sparsely populated volcanic islands in the far northern Marianas.
The storm was about 170 miles (274 kilometers) northwest of Saipan on Thursday, the weather service said. Many sensors on the island were down, but the weather service estimated winds were about 60 to 70 mph (97 to 113 kph).
The winds made it unsafe to go outside, but some stores were open on Tinian on Thursday and people were rushing to purchase supplies, said resident Mathew Masga.
“While driving around, I noticed numerous wooden and semi-concrete houses with damaged rooftops due to the passing typhoon,” he said in a Facebook message to the AP. “Notably, many of our power poles and power lines are down.”
Images from Saipan and Tinian showed residential lots littered with debris and mangled trees. Winds crumpled metal bleachers at a sports field.
Resident Dong Min Lee shot video of a car sitting on top of two others in his apartment building’s parking lot. The winds tore off part of his balcony railing.
The American Red Cross and its partners were sheltering more than 1,000 residents across Guam and the Northern Marianas, agency spokesperson Stephanie Fox said….PACNEWS
PNG- DEFENCE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Apr 2026
All charges against PNG Defence Force ‘whistleblowers’ put on hold
PORT MORESBY, 17 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —All disciplinary charges on Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel allegedly involved in enlistment allegations within the recruitment office are put on hold pending external investigations sanctioned by Cabinet.
PNGDF Chief Rear-Admiral Philip Polewara said any discharge of personnel implicated in the recruitment exercise was null and void.
“All service members are to return to their respective units and remain in barracks under a one-month close-camp conditions until further notice, and clear roadblocks,” he said.
He explained that the close camp order measure was necessary to maintain security, personnel control, and stability during the recruitment issue talks.
The order restricts movement of personnel and civilians in and out of barracks and strengthens security around armouries and magazines.
This follows incidents on Tuesday night and yesterday where PNGDF personnel gathered outside Murray Barracks and blocked routes leading inside, demanding that their hierarchy address issues relating to the recruitment process.
All roadblocks in the city were cleared after senior officers addressed the soldiers yesterday.
No information on outcomes were released. Schools around Hohola were disrupted.
“This measure is necessary to maintain strict security, personnel control, and institutional stability during the ongoing recruitment issue,” Chief Rear Admiral Philip Polewara said.
Polewara said unit commanders should exercise the order and control to ensure full compliance.
“Any breach of this directive will be treated as a serious disciplinary offence,” he said.
Prime Minister James Marape has directed Polewara to suspend ongoing internal investigative processes relating to recruitment concerns, pending a broader independent review sanctioned by Cabinet.
He said the independent investigation will be led by the Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu, supported by the State Solicitor Daniel Rolpagarea and an external high-level team, to ensure a fair, transparent, and comprehensive assessment of all issues, including recruitment practices and any allegations raised.
“The decision to pause internal disciplinary processes is intended to uphold natural justice and protect all personnel while the independent review is conducted,” he said.
Polewara said Deputy Chief of Staff Col Jason Hutchings from the New Zealand army has been tasked to review and recommend a new recruitment system.
“This will include exploring the option to collaborate with the Department of Higher Education Research, Science and Technology to recruit school leavers,” Polewara said…PACNEWS
PAC – BOAT STRIKE: AP PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Apr 2026
U.S launches fifth strike on alleged Pacific drug boat in a week, killing three
WASHINGTON, 17 APRIL 2026 (AP)—Three people were killed in a US strike on another alleged drug-trafficking boat, the fifth such deadly attack in as many days, military officials have announced.
U.S southern command said it conducted “a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organisations” in the eastern Pacific, without naming the alleged group, in an X post.
“Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action.”
The latest strike brings the total toll to at least 177 killed, according to a tally compiled by the AFP news agency.
On Monday the U.S military said that it blew up two boats that it accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing a total of five people and leaving one survivor. Then on Tuesday, the military said it killed four more people in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
President Donald Trump’s administration insists it is effectively at war with what it calls “narco-terrorists” operating in Latin America. But it has provided no definitive evidence that the vessels it targets are involved in drug trafficking, prompting heated debate about the legality of the operations.
International legal experts and rights groups say the strikes likely amount to extrajudicial killings as they have apparently targeted civilians who do not pose an immediate threat to the United States.
In January, lawyers filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S on behalf of the families of two men from a fishing village in Trinidad who were killed in an October strike on a small boat in the Caribbean, saying the “premeditated and intentional killings lack any plausible legal justification”.
“The administration continues to push unsubstantiated, fear-mongering claims about who these people were, despite investigations showing that some of those killed were fishermen just trying to make a living for their families,” the American Civil Liberties Union said in December.
Last month, the Democratic representatives Joaquin Castro and Sara Jacobs wrote to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, raising alarms about the killings and noting the names and nationalities of most victims remain unknown.
The boat strikes have continued in Latin America even as the U.S military has focused on operations in the Middle East, where the U.S has been engaged in a war with Iran for several weeks……PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
UK – FISHERIES: THE GUARDIAN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 17 Apr 2026
MSC’s ‘blue tick’ scheme creates illusion of ethically sourced fish, study claims
LONDON, 17 APRIL 2026 (THE GUARDIAN)—The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which operates a “blue tick” scheme to indicate the sustainability of fish, has been accused of creating an “illusion” of ethical sourcing, after a study reported that widespread labour abuses have taken place on the fishing vessels it approves.
One in five vessels where the crew reported abuses to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) over the last five years took place on ships catching seafood certified as sustainable by the MSC, researchers found.
Ten of these cases involved allegations of serious crimes, according to the study. These include forced labour, human trafficking and forced criminalisation.
In all, researchers identified 80 cases of labour abuses onboard 72 vessels in 25 MSC-certified fisheries across the globe, from North Sea haddock fisheries in Scotland to tuna fisheries in the Pacific islands.
The most common abuses reported were of unpaid or delayed wages, but also included excessive hours, violence, harassment or threats, denial of medical care and debt bondage.
The ITF, which commissioned the study, said the abuses reported onboard “blue tick” vessels were likely to be an underestimate as the researchers used only ITF data on 354 vessels. National unions, seafaring organisations and other maritime authorities also regularly received reports of abuses.
The MSC has long said it is an environmental organisation, with no social assurance mandate nor labour assessment capacity.
However, Chris Williams, ITF fisheries co-ordinator, said: “That risks masking abuses and leading people to buy products that aren’t necessarily what they think they are.”
Each ITF case, of which there were 462 in all, refers to reported labour abuses on a single vessel, but could involve multiple abuses. In one vessel, for instance, all 26 crew were said to have been owed wages, but this was recorded as a single case.
The study also identified repeat offenders; for instance, one North Sea fishing vessel had three alleged cases of withheld wages and one of debt bondage over a five-year period, while approved to sell its catches under the blue tick label.
Dr Jessica Sparks, co-author of the report, Slipping through the net: labour abuses in MSC-certified fisheries, said the analysis added to growing concerns that MSC’s policies and practices may obscure labour abuses in seafood supply chains by undermining enforcement efforts and reducing scrutiny.
The MSC has engaged in evolving efforts to support the elimination of forced and child labour in supply chains. For instance, it has identified itself as a good “ally” to those fisheries seeking to show progress on labour standards and “prohibits” any of those that have been successfully prosecuted for forced or child labour.
Sparks said the problem with the policy of excluding any vessels with convictions for forced or child labour is that there were very few prosecutions. It also, she said, focused on a narrow legal definition, overlooking – and potentially minimising – a host of other exploitative practices and harms.
She added that in 13 years of working in the area, she could think of only one or two cases of prosecutions for human trafficking into forced labour. “The MSC says ‘we don’t certify for social’, yet they have these pre-eligible conditions for certification,” she said.
This led to an “illusion” of ethical sourcing, without providing mechanisms to identify or remedy abuses, Sparks said.
The International Labour Organisation estimated in 2022 that about 128,000 workers were trapped in forced labour on fishing vessels globally.
For the report, researchers used a dataset of 462 cases of abuse recorded by 15 trained ITF inspectors on 354 unique vessels across the globe and cross-referenced these with a database of MSC-certified fishing vessels created from MSC’s Track a Fishery website and other publicly available information.
A spokesperson for the MSC said: “We agree that MSC’s policies are no substitute for businesses’ human rights due-diligence responsibilities and we make no claim to offer social assurance.”
MSC said that addressing forced and child labour issues in the seafood sector was a significant challenge requiring “industry-wide” collaboration.
Regarding pre-entry requirements banning any fisheries with convictions for forced or child labour, the spokesperson said: “As an environmental organisation without a social assurance mandate or labour assessment capacity, convictions provide a clear, objective and legally robust basis for confirming forced labour.”
The spokesperson added that MSC had ended the use of third-party social audits after an expert panel found they were ineffective on labour issues. The not-for-profit organisation is creating a third-party online information portal, as recommended by the expert panel, to support transparency….PACNEWS
PAC – FISHERIES: NATIONAL FISHERMAN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 17 Apr 2026
Pacific monuments reopening push fights over fishing, culture
HONOLULU, 17 APRIL 2026 (NATIONALFISHERMAN)—A renewed push to reopen the U.S Pacific Marine National Monuments to commercial fishing is setting up another round of tension among fishing access, conservation priorities, and cultural protections in some of the most remote waters in the world.
Earlier this month, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Wespac) recommended allowing commercial fishing across all four Pacific monuments– Papahānaumokuākea, Pacific Islands Heritage, Marianas Trench, and Rose Atoll– areas that together span roughly 3.1 million square kilometers of protected ocean, according to Mongabay.
Wespac framed the move as a return to balance. The recommendation, the council said, is “about restoring sustainable fishing.” But the proposal has drawn criticism from conservation groups and Native Hawaiian advocates, who argue the monuments were established to safeguard ecosystems and cultural connections that extend far beyond commercial interests.
“I am sad that with all these restrictions in our areas, we are slowly losing some of our culture,” Wespac council member Pedro Itibus said in a statement.
Others see the issue very differently. “The practice of commercial fishing and the unavoidable and significant waste of marine resources caused by bycatch is an affront to Native Hawaiian practices and beliefs,” Solomon Pili Kaho’ohalahala, a native Hawaiian with Kāpaʻa, a local NGO, told Wespac in a statement.
At the centre of the debate is how these water– long closed to commercial fishing– should be used, and who gets to decide.
The council’s recommendation follows a 2025 proclamation by President Donald Trump aimed at “unleashing American fishing in the Pacific,” which opened parts of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to commercial fishing, according to Mongabay. Shortly after, NOAA Fisheries notified permitted vessels that the area was open, triggering legal challenges
Earthjustice attorney David Henkin told Mongabay the process is far from settled. “There’s a whole process that you go through starting with Wespac suggesting changes to regulations,” Henkin said, which the council has now done. NMFS must review those suggestions and open them to public comment, he added.
For now, the future of commercial fishing in the Pacific monuments remains uncertain. Wespac’s recommendation marks the beginning of a formal regulatory process, not the end of it. NOAA Fisheries must still review the proposal, open it for public comment, and determine whether changes are consistent with federal law– all while ongoing legal challenges question whether protections can be rolled back under the Antiquities Act…..PACNEWS
FIJI – COURTS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 17 Apr 2026
Fiji Sun wins defamation battle
SUVA, 17 APRIL 2026 (FIJI SUN)—The High Court in Suva has ruled that a 2019 Fiji Sun article reporting on the condemnation of rotten meat at Hansons Supermarket in Makoi, Nasinu, was not defamatory.
Justice Thushara Rajasinghe delivered the ruling this week, dismissing all claims brought by Hansons Supermarket Pte Limited against this masthead and three other defendants.
They are the Nasinu Town Council, a council health inspector, and the Consumer Council of Fiji.
The case stemmed from a June 2019 inspection at the supermarket, during which council officers and Consumer Council staff found meat and other frozen items unfit for human consumption.
The Fiji Sun reported on the condemnation and destruction of those goods.
Hansons argued the article was false and damaged its reputation. However, the court found the article did not imply any wrongdoing in how the supermarket was run – it only reported on the condition of the goods found during the inspection.
The court also found that evidence presented at trial – including testimony from the supermarket’s own witnesses – confirmed the items were unfit for sale.
On the negligence claims against the council and Consumer Council, the court held that those bodies owed no common law duty of care to the supermarket, as their statutory role was to protect consumers, not businesses.
Hansons was ordered to pay $5000(US$2,500) costs to each of the four defendants.
The Fiji Sun was represented by Patel Sharma Lawyers, Ashitosh Kumar and Firdouz Khalim….PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Powering health in a changing climate: KOICA-supported renovations for a critical health facility in Fiji
NAVUNIKABI, 17 APRIL 2026 (WHO)—Communities in Navunikabi, Fiji, are set to benefit from improved, climate-resilient health services following the official opening of the newly renovated and solarized Navunikabi Nursing Station.
Navunikabi Nursing Station serves over 1500 people, including the community of Navunikabi Village, schools, nearby settlements, and an agriculture station. The nursing station provides an array of critical services, including maternal and child health, general outpatient, and comprehensive childhood care to reduce mortality and morbidity in children under five.
The renovations, including construction of a new waiting room and toilet block, new roofing and the installation of solar panels and power system, ensure that the health facility is better able to provide these critical services in a changing climate.
“Today, we celebrate not just the opening of a renovated health facility but our commitment to compassionate care, the dedication of our healthcare professionals, and the promise of a healthier community,” said Ratu Dr Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, Fiji’s Minister of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).
These works were made through the Strengthening Health Adaptation Project: Responding to Climate Change in Fiji (SHAPE project), a multi-year project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).
Sophie Genay-Diliautas, WHO Deputy Representative to the South Pacific, highlighted the impact of the SHAPE Project in strengthening Fiji’s health system: “WHO is honoured to have been part of this project, and to be a part of this continued partnership. Together, this investment helps to ensure that communities, and the health workers who serve them, are better protected, prepared, and supported into the future.”
“Fiji is a nation of remarkable strength and community spirit, and it is this spirit that drives partnerships like ours. As a Pacific island nation navigating the complex intersections of health and climate, Fiji has shown great leadership in seeking innovative and sustainable solutions – and it has been our honour to support that journey,” stated Hankyulsam Cho, Fiji Country Director, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The lasting impacts of the SHAPE project
The SHAPE project is strengthening several pillars of a climate-resilient health system, including health facility resilience, workforce capacity, and laboratory capacity, coupled with community resilience building.
Fiji, like many Pacific island nations, faces growing health challenges from climate change. Stronger cyclones, rising temperatures, and flooding can damage health facilities, increase the likelihood of disease, disrupt essential services, and put health workers and patients at risk.
Investing in a climate-resilient health system keeps people safe and healthy, even when the weather and climate are changing. It means that the health facilities and health workers are more equipped to handle problems caused by threats like stronger storms, hotter days, floods, or diseases that come with climate change….PACNEWS
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
The Epstein files: Rights experts demand accountability, call for probe into trafficking allegations
GENEVA, 17 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) —UN independent human rights experts called on Thursday for justice and accountability for young women and girls who were trafficked systematically as part of allegations contained in the so-called Epstein files.
The Human Rights Council-appointed experts also issued a general warning over the “continuing violence of patriarchal power systems” revealed in the files, which the U.S Department of Justice began releasing late last year.
The massive collection of documents, photos, flight logs and other items related to investigations into the activities of deceased New York-based financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been the subject of significant legal and political debate in recent months in Washington DC and beyond.
Transparent investigation call
“We are gravely concerned by the credible allegations in the ‘Epstein files’ of systemic trafficking of young women and girls for purposes of sexual exploitation and call for a full and transparent investigation,” the two experts said in a statement.
The allegations implicate senior politicians, public figures, diplomats, global business leaders and leading academics, and describe the widespread trafficking of girls and young women across multiple international borders over decades.
The situation highlights the entrenched discrimination and violence of patriarchal systems of power and associated failures of accountability, said Siobhán Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and the five members of the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls.
The experts emphasised that the trafficking of children and young women is a serious criminal offence and a grave violation of human rights, and they voiced deep concern over the “wholly inadequate” response by national governments and law enforcement authorities.
Culture of impunity
“The failure to ensure accountability perpetuates a culture of impunity that disproportionately harms women and girls and undermines the promise of equal protection under international human rights law,” the independent experts’ statement said.
Moreover, trafficking of children for sexual exploitation destroys childhoods and has devastating long term consequences for the victims.
They reminded governments of their obligation to prevent trafficking, protect victims and ensure access to justice and effective remedies, including compensation.
Support for victims
“Victims and survivors must be at the centre of effective trauma-informed and gender-sensitive responses to trafficking in persons,” the statement said.
“They must guarantee medical assistance, including reproductive and sexual health services, psychosocial assistance and long-term social inclusion and recovery measures.”
Action ‘long overdue’
With global attention around the case waning, the experts called for concrete action, accountability and urgent measures to ensure access to justice, as well as reparations, guarantees of non-repetition and transparency.
“States bear the obligation to act, and that obligation is long overdue,” they said.
All independently appointed experts receive their mandates from the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. They are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work…..PACNEWS
