In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — El Niño forms in Pacific as experts say it will likely turbocharge extreme weather
2. FIJI — Fiji Electoral Commission says it is ready for election and referendum
3. PACIFIC — Trump reopens Pacific marine monument waters to commercial fishing
4. CNMI — CNMI renews declaration of state of emergency
5. NAURU — Pacific nation of Nauru wants to change its name as it moves on from colonial past
6. UN — Hate speech spreading ‘faster than ever’, warns UN chief as global action plan is revealed
7. JAPAN — Japan reactor restart sparks fresh fears over nuclear waste storage
8. PACNEWS BIZ — Outrage in PNG over Filipino purse Seiner catching dolphins
9. PACNEWS BIZ — PNG MP raises concern on retirement savings tax
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Solomon Islands Opposition leader Sogavare urges AG Suri to recuse himself from 33 shipments investigation
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Three seafarers killed in Hormuz strike as UN warns of widening fallout
12. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — UNFPA reports major health and Population gains despite funding cuts
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Palau’s National Congress takes ownership of new Parliamentary website
PAC – WEATHER WATCH: THE GUARDIAN/AP PACNEWS 3: Fri 12 Jun 2026
El Niño forms in Pacific as experts say it will likely turbocharge extreme weather
WASHINGTON, 12 JUNE 2026 (THE GUARDIAN/AP) — El Niño, the climate phenomenon that supercharges weather around the world, has officially arrived and could intensify to historic levels in the fall, U.S officials said on Thursday.
U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters confirmed the formation of El Niño in the warmer than usual Pacific Ocean near the equator, which affects global weather patterns.
Scientists have previously advised that this year’s El Niño could be the strongest of the century. António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, described El Niño as an “urgent climate warning”.
There was a 63 percent chance that the El Niño will get so intense this late fall and early winter that it “would rank among the largest El Niño events in the historical record going back to 1950”, according to NOAA.
In the U.S, El Niño has been associated with stormier weather in the south, increased risk of high tide flooding, algal blooms on the west coast and changes to migratory patterns of marine life. But the conditions affect weather across the world by altering jet streams and changing rain patterns, which can lead to more severe storms, increased temperatures and drought.
“Every El Nino is not the same; each one is unique with its own imprint on our weather,” Ken Graham, the director of NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), said in a statement. “Advanced monitoring and an improved understanding of El Niño patterns allow the NWS to better predict and better prepare the public and our core partners for what is to come.”
It affects weather patterns by bringing “a lot of extra heat to the surface, fueling a lot of extreme events for a lot of places around the world”, said Abby Frazier, a Clark University climate scientist.
She said, “it can get dire very quickly”, especially in the Pacific.
Effects vary by region. El Niño often dampens – but does not eliminate – Atlantic hurricane season activity but increases it in the Pacific.
So, while the U.S east and Gulf coasts may get a break, Hawaii and other islands are more in danger, Frazier said. It typically leads to a wetter winter in California.
The drought-stricken Middle East could benefit, climate scientists said. Other places are looking at more danger. Parts of western South America – where the first El Niños were noticed decades ago – often get heavy rain and floods, along with an extra warm summer. India faces more intense heatwaves, while drought, wildfires and heat threaten Australia.
North-eastern Africa is probably going to get weather whiplash from intense drought to dangerously heavy rains, said Muhammad Azhar Ehsan, a Columbia University climate scientist and El Niño expert.
El Niños can benefit the U.S agriculture industry, said Jon Gottschalck, operational branch chief at Noaa’s Climate Prediction Centre.
Michael Ferrari, meteorologist and head of research at the investment research firm Moby, said conditions for grains and seed, especially soybeans, look favourable in 18 major growing states, but are more mixed when it comes to dairy and cattle.
But experts warn the conditions may lead to shock in the global food supply with crops such as maize and rice especially vulnerable to El Niño and drought reducing food production in South Africa, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brazil.
The northern Rockies and south-west – where there are an “off the charts” snow drought – could get some strong summer rains, Gottschalck said. The biggest effect in the US is often in the winter, when the south can get wetter and the Pacific north-west warmer and drier.
But overall, temperatures raised by the weather pattern can dampen American economic growth, said Marshall Burke, a Stanford climate economist. Several climate scientists forecast that 2027 will be the hottest year on record because of lagging effects of this El Niño, which is expected to peak in the fall or winter.
“We have pretty clear evidence that the US economy grows more slowly when temps are above normal,” Burke said.
The weather extremes caused by an El Niño also depend on when it develops.
Usually, El Niños form in the summer, peak in the late fall or early winter, and peter out the next spring, scientists said.
However, Ehsan’s team forecasts that this El Niño will peak a month or two earlier based on strong early signs from recent weeks. The Princeton University climate scientist Gabriel Vecchi said large El Niños like these also tend to last longer.
The early indications – including warmer water pushing toward the surface of the Pacific – have been so strong and noticeable that forecasters have all been predicting the same ultra-strong El Niño, Vecchi said, adding that El Niño forecasts often are all over the place at this time of year.
Scientists predict stronger El Niños as the world warms from the burning of coal, oil and gas, Frazier and others said. But she said it was too early to say if this El Niño is part of that.
Even before it officially formed, this El Niño has acquired nicknames ranging from “super” to “Godzilla”.
“Instead of scared, we can ask people to be prepared,” Columbia’s Ehsan said.
The Met office, the UK’s national weather service, said in the UK it could “increase the likelihood of more unsettled conditions later in the year, including a higher chance of milder, wetter and windier weather during autumn and early winter…. PACNEWS
FIJI – ELECTION/POLITICS: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Fri 12 Jun 2026
Fiji Electoral Commission says it is ready for election and referendum
SUVA, 12 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN) — The Electoral Commission is ready to conduct Fiji’s next general election and a national referendum, says chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili.
His comments come as debate continues over proposed electoral reforms and constitutional deadlines for the next election draw closer.
Speaking to the Fiji Sun Thursday after appearing before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Justice Ratuvili said preparations for both processes were already in place.
“We are ready,” he said when asked about preparations for the next general election.
On the possibility of a referendum, he said the commission was equally prepared.
“We are prepared for it because it will involve the same voters. But we need the Act to be passed. It’s a process.”
Under the 2013 Constitution, the earliest a general election can be held is August this year. The writ for the election must be issued by 24 December, while 06 February 2027, is the constitutional deadline for polling day.
Justice Ratuvili said voter registration and awareness programmes were already under way nationwide through the YES — Your Election, Your Say — campaign.
Teams are conducting registration drives and voter engagement activities in the highlands, the Lau Group and urban centres, including Suva.
He said preparations were continuing as part of the commission’s ongoing work to ensure eligible voters were ready when the election was called.
Eight political parties have registered, while two applications remain under consideration.
If approved, up to 10 political parties could contest the next election alongside independent candidates.
Meanwhile, Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube has opposed any move to change Fiji’s voting system so close to the election.
“Unity Fiji opposes any move to change Fiji’s voting system with the election so close. The question every Fijian is asking is simple: Why now?” Narube said.
“The Government has had more than three years to consult, plan and make reforms. If these changes were truly necessary, why wait until the last minute? The timing isn’t just strange; it’s concerning.”
He said free and fair elections depended on certainty and stable rules.
“Voters, parties, candidates and officials all need stable rules they can trust,” the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji said.
“Changes take time. Voters need to be educated, systems updated, officials trained and information communicated clearly.
“It all costs money. Government says the budget is stretched but somehow has funds to make changes to election laws.
“Rushing these changes risks mistakes and damages public trust.
“This is the time to protect trust, not weaken it. A free and fair election is what builds a stronger Fiji.”
Asked whether the commission could adapt if electoral law reforms were passed before the election, Justice Ratuvili said major changes would require constitutional amendments.
“Most of those changes require the Constitution to be changed,” he said.
“Only if the Constitution is amended will those fundamental changes come into effect.”
Electoral law reform is being led jointly by the Electoral Commission, the Fiji Law Reform Commission and the Ministry of Justice.
Under Section 75 of the 2013 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, the Electoral Commission is an independent constitutional office responsible for overseeing the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.
The commission serves as the policy-making and supervisory body, while its operational arm, the Fijian Elections Office (FEO), led by the Supervisor of Elections, is responsible for implementing electoral policies and conducting elections…. PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY/FISHERIES: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Fri 12 Jun 2026
Trump reopens Pacific marine monument waters to commercial fishing
WASHINGTON, 12 JUNE 2206 (PACNEWS) — U.S President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation reopening nearly half a million square miles of protected waters in the Pacific to commercial fishing, a move the White House says is aimed at boosting domestic seafood production, creating jobs and reducing reliance on imported seafood.
According to a White House fact sheet, the proclamation restores commercial fishing access to the Mau and Ho‘omalu Zones of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.
The White House said the move advances President Trump’s America First Fishing Policy and is designed to increase opportunities for the U.S fishing industry.
“The proclamation restores commercial fishing access to the Mau and Ho‘omalu Zones of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.”
The administration said existing restrictions on commercial fishing had unnecessarily limited economic opportunities for American fishermen and coastal communities.
“Onerous restrictions unnecessarily prohibited commercial fishing within areas of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, removing job opportunities for American workers.”
The White House argued that fishing bans were not required for the management of the monuments because many fish species move across large ocean areas and are already covered by existing fisheries laws.
“Prohibiting commercial fishing is not necessary for the proper care and management of these Monuments, as many fish species are highly migratory, not unique to the area, and are already protected through existing laws, such as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.”
The administration also said fishing restrictions had reduced domestic seafood supplies and increased dependence on imports.
“Prohibiting commercial fishing in this area also artificially restricts domestic fish supply, which makes the United States reliant on foreign sources for our food supply and increases the cost of seafood for everyday Americans.”
According to the White House, the proclamation will create opportunities for fishing families, seafood processors and maritime industries while maintaining environmental protections.
“The proclamation opens economic and job opportunities for U.S fishing families, coastal communities, seafood processors, and related maritime industries, ensuring unfettered access to the coastal waters of the U.S while maintaining rigorous environmental protections.”
The administration said commercial fishing supports thousands of jobs across multiple sectors of the economy.
“Commercial fishing supports thousands of American jobs across the harvesting, processing, transportation, shipbuilding, equipment manufacturing, distribution, sales, and service industries.”
The White House also said the measure would strengthen domestic seafood supply chains.
“The proclamation strengthens the domestic seafood supply chain and reduces U.S dependence on imported seafood.”
The action is the latest in a series of measures taken by the Trump administration to expand commercial fishing access and reduce regulations on the industry.
The White House noted that in April 2025 President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at restoring seafood competitiveness through deregulation, increasing domestic seafood production and exports, and establishing the America First Seafood Strategy.
The administration also pointed to an April 2025 proclamation reopening commercial fishing access in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument and a February 2026 proclamation reopening commercial fishing access in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the White House, federal fisheries regulators have used the Magnuson-Stevens Act and executive action to reduce restrictions and increase fishing opportunities.
“Through the strategic use of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and executive action, NOAA has successfully deregulated fishing operations, reversed decades-old closures, and maximised harvest quotas.”
The administration said fisheries openings and higher catch limits had been implemented using available scientific data.
“NOAA expedited the openings of fisheries and increased catch limits based on the best available science, delivering financial returns to coastal communities.”
The White House also said efforts to reduce regulations remain ongoing.
“NOAA continues to aggressively slash red tape and replace outdated, micromanaged restrictions with adaptive, flexible standards – maximizing profitability for the domestic fleet and keeping fisheries open.”
According to the administration, the combined measures have generated substantial economic benefits.
“These actions have unlocked billions of dollars in economic value and secured vital domestic supply chains,” he said…. PACNEWS
CNMI – STATE OF EMERGENCY: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Fri 12 June 2026
CNMI renews declaration of state of emergency
SAIPAN, 12 JUNE 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — CNMI Governor David Apatang on Thursday extended the declaration of a state of significant emergency for another 30 days, noting the need for the commonwealth government to identify and mobiliSe resources as the islands recover from devastation caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
The Category 4 storm, which pounded Saipan, Tinian, and Rota between 13 – 16 April, left a trail of disaster in the islands.
The governor noted that the CNMI has made “considerable strides toward recovery” after weeks of “hard work on repairs” to the power grid, restoration of water service, rebuilding transportation and communications systems and provision of emergency relief.
However, “many households still remain without power, full restoration of the grid remains weeks away, the hard work of clearing debris is not yet completed, and families continue to struggle with elevated fuel costs as well as ongoing disaster-related repairs.”.
Meanwhile, the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office advises the public that the unidentified object seen breaking apart in the sky over Saipan on Thursday has been confirmed as space debris by Joint Task Force – Micronesia and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Residents across Saipan reported seeing the object streak across the sky before it broke apart in the atmosphere. Multiple videos of the event circulated online and were shared with local officials for review.
Currently, officials report there is no indication of any threat to the public. The FAA is tracking the object, and CNMI HSEM continues to coordinate with our federal partners as additional information becomes available.
Further updates will be provided as information is confirmed…. PACNEWS
NAURU – COUNTRY NAME CHANGE: THE GUARDIAN PACNEWS 3: Fri 12 Jun 2026
Pacific nation of Nauru wants to change its name as it moves on from colonial past
YAREN, 12 JUNE 2026 (THE GUARDIAN) — Nauru, the world’s smallest republic, may soon make a big change: renaming itself “Naoero”.
The switch would “more faithfully honour our nation’s heritage, our language, and our identity”, said the president of the Pacific microstate, David Adeang, in a speech to parliament in January.
After Nauru’s parliament passed the proposal unopposed, the island – with an estimated population of 13,000 – will vote in a referendum on whether to make the change official.
“Naoero” – pronounced Now-ero – is the term Nauruans use in their own language. “Nauru” – commonly pronounced Now-roo – became the island’s official name because its Indigenous name “could not be properly pronounced by foreign tongues”, the government said, adding it was “changed not by our choice, but for convenience”.
The remote island country – located about 3,000km north-east of Australia, and similar in size to London’s Westminster, at 21 sq km – has a history of name changes.
In 1798 it was christened “Pleasant Island” when sighted by a British seafarer, who was struck by its beauty and the generosity of its people. After Germany annexed the island in 1888, the name “Nauru” entered official records, though variants “Nawodo” and “Navoda Onawero” were also used.
When Australia took over primary administration of the island in 1919 under a League of Nations mandate, it maintained the “Nauru” spelling, which persisted after independence in 1968. In 2001, Australia began to use the island as an offshore detention centre.
For scholars of Indigenous placenames, such changes are never just a matter of spelling. Zoltán Grossman, a professor of geography and Native American studies at Evergreen State College in the US, says changing names has long been part of exercising colonial power.
“Changing placenames has been an integral part of colonialism to erase the presence of the original peoples,” he says. “It’s not just about the names themselves, it’s about who has the power to change the names.”
In arguing for Naoero, the Nauruan government has pointed to other countries that have changed their official names to better reflect local language, including Türkiye (formerly Turkey) and Eswatini (Swaziland). It also cited the nearby Micronesian state Chuuk, which until 1990 was widely known as Truk – another foreign rendering of an Indigenous name.
This “re-Indigenisation” of placenames to reflect local pronunciations is how formerly colonised peoples assert their sovereignty, Grossman says. The breakup of the Soviet Union led to the de-russification of eastern European countries: Byelorussia became Belarus and Moldavia changed to Moldova. India has de-anglicised many city and state names since independence.
Jordan Engel, founder of the Decolonial Atlas, a project to map and document Indigenous placenames, says there is a “growing momentum” to use them for landmarks and places.
“At its core, decolonisation is about self-determination, and one of the most basic expressions of self-determination is being able to speak your language and use your ancestral placenames,” Engel says.
But changing a place’s name is not always straightforward. A petition to change New Zealand to the Māori name of Aotearoa gathered more than 70,000 signatures, but its official use has sparked rows in parliament. Cook Islands has long wrestled with whether to drop the name of the British explorer James Cook.
Nauru’s government declined to comment on the potential name change when approached by the Guardian.
Nauruan Arcmen Willis, a wrestler who has represented Nauru internationally, supports the change; he hopes non-Nauruans people will make the effort to pronounce the new name correctly.
“I want to tell people now how to pronounce it, so it goes around and people would pronounce it right,” Willis says. “It’s good to keep our identity,” he says, “because once it’s gone, there will be no more Nauru or Naoero.”
Unesco officially classifies Nauru’s language – Nauruan or dorerin Naoero – as “severely endangered”. While Nauruans like Willis speak it among friends and family, it is not taught in schools.
Engel says a name change to Naoero can help protect the language for future generations. “Changes like this can play an important role in language revitalisation and cultural continuity.”
While the change may take some time to become official, the name “Naoero” has already been adopted by the postal service, national health service and utility provider. The Australian high commission is using both names in its public communications.
For Nauruans like Willis, the change matters most in how the country is recognised from afar. At home, he says, it carries less weight.
“I feel the same, because it’s only the name change,” he says. “It doesn’t change me,” said Willis…. PACNEWS
UN – HATE SPEECH: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Mon 01 Jun 2026
Hate speech spreading ‘faster than ever’, warns UN chief as global action plan is revealed
NEW YORK, 12 JUNE 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — Hate speech is a grave and growing threat to peace and security, Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Thursday, calling for urgent action to break a cycle that can lead to genocide and other atrocity crimes.
Guterres was speaking at UN Headquarters in New York at the launch of the Muscat Plan of Action – an initiative that highlights the role of traditional and Indigenous leaders in promoting peace and strengthening social cohesion.
Hate speech “divides communities, dehumanizes entire groups, and sets the stage for bloodshed,” he said.
“It is also deliberate – and a core component in the playbook for virtually every genocide and atrocity crime.”
Breaking “this outrageous cycle” requires action through education, support for people targeted by abuse, stronger interventions by governments and technology companies, and deeper engagement with traditional and Indigenous leaders, he said.
These leaders “bring crucial knowledge of local realities” and command the respect and trust of their people.
Moreover, their authority and influence can help to ease tensions before they escalate, and their lived experience “makes it more likely that the mediation and settlement of disputes will be respected, implemented, and sustained.”
The Secretary-General noted that hate speech is spreading “faster than ever”, driven by unregulated platforms and intensified by artificial intelligence (AI).
Although States have primary responsibility for preventing genocide and other atrocity crimes, he stressed that all of society has a role.
The Muscat Plan of Action is the outcome of a multi-stakeholder process led by the Sultanate of Oman, the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (UNOSAPG), and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers.
It was co-hosted by the UN Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC) which promotes peaceful, inclusive and just societies through intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
“When my country, Oman, decided to give the world a plan for peace and development, it did not write it using ink alone,” said Dr. Mohamed bin Said Al Mamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs.
“Oman drafted this document based on decades of human connection and joint work – and it built this one stone at a time, based on its experience and coexistence and mutual trust.”
The UN chief said the Plan is a reminder “that hate speech is both a warning sign that violence is coming – and a catalyst that speeds its arrival.” He outlined four areas where Member States can play a vital role.
First, they should strengthen accountability for digital platforms and ensure that user safety is built into the design of online products and services.
Delegates will have an opportunity to address some of these concerns at the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance taking place next month, he added.
Second, countries should reinforce local capacity for prevention and mediation.
Action here includes training on human rights monitoring and reporting, guidance on non-violent methods to confront hate speech and incitement, mentorship aligned with international standards as well as local values and traditions, and education that promotes respect for diversity and non-discrimination.
Third, Member States should support dialogue that builds mutual understanding and social cohesion.
They also should help traditional and Indigenous leaders counter hate-filled narratives by deconstructing myths, refuting harmful ideologies and rumours, denouncing incitement to violence, and promoting tolerance and coexistence.
Fourth, he called for deeper collaboration among traditional, Indigenous and political actors. This includes expanding opportunities for traditional and Indigenous leaders to mediate local conflicts and developing policy guidance on local mechanisms to counter hate speech and prevent atrocity crimes.
The Secretary-General said efforts to prevent hate speech and atrocity crimes must place traditional and Indigenous leaders “front and centre” – which includes faith leaders, youth leaders and women leaders.
The meaningful participation of women is especially critical, he said, pointing to UN Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security.
Guterres underlined that States have clear obligations under international law to combat incitement to hatred and promote inclusion, respect for diversity and solidarity.
However, efforts to rein in hate speech must not be used to extinguish freedom of expression.
“At the same time, freedom of expression must never be an excuse for harmful messages,” he added.
He expressed determination to keep advancing the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech and the Global Principles for Information Integrity, which he described as a roadmap to a safer and more ethical digital ecosystem.
“Together, we can build the inclusive, just and peaceful societies all people deserve,” he said…. PACNEWS
JAPAN – NUKE REACTOR: AP PACNEWS 3: Fri 12 Jun 2026
Japan reactor restart sparks fresh fears over nuclear waste storage
KASHIWAZAKI, 12 JUNE 2026 (AP) — Japan has resumed operations at the world’s largest nuclear power plant to help the country meet huge electricity demands during a global oil crisis, but the reboot highlights a big problem: Japan is running out of space for spent nuclear fuel and has no viable plans for permanent disposal of the radioactive waste.
The restart of No. 6 reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station earlier this year was meant to spur a movement to bring more nuclear reactors online. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is one of three plants whose cooling pools will be full in five years, according to the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan.
“Without solid (fuel management) plans, our power generation will stall sooner or later,” Kashiwazaki-Kariwa General Manager Takeyuki Inagaki said.
After decades of seeking permanent storage for highly radioactive spent fuel, the government is considering Minamitorishima, a remote Pacific Island south of Tokyo.
But the selection has faced skepticism and criticism stemming from Japan’s arbitrary actions on spent fuel and radioactive waste management.
Only 15 of Japan’s 54 reactors have restarted since the March 2011 Fukushima disaster, when a 9.0 earthquake off Japan’s northeastern coast and a subsequent tsunami caused meltdowns at three reactors operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, or TEPCO. About 160,000 people fled from Fukushima and some areas remain unlivable.
Kashiazaki-Kariwa, also run by TEPCO, was shut down after the Fukushima disaster as part of a nationwide nuclear power stoppage.
The spent fuel in a cooling pool at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa No. 6 reactor, which is 88 percent filled, can be seen from a top-floor observation area. TEPCO has installed filtered venting systems and devices to prevent hydrogen explosions among additional safety measures based on lessons from Fukushima.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pushing to bring more nuclear plants online, resulting in more spent fuel. Without a viable permanent storage plan, there are worries that reactors will have to close when storage space runs out…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PNG – FISHERIES: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 12 Jun 2026
Outrage in PNG over Filipino purse seiner catching dolphins
PORT MORESBY, 12 JUNE 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — There is outrage in Papua New Guinea over signs that the Filipino tuna fishing fleet is catching dolphins against the law.
This follows the emergence of a four-minute video from PNG’s Manus Province showing the crew on a purse seine vessel, the Red Robin 88 (previously Discovery 101), hauling in dead dolphins from its nets.
Manus local Jonathan Semin told RNZ Pacific that his community is extremely concerned about what they have seen in the video.
“There were many dolphins, which I was very angry about, when I saw that there were dead dolphins in the net.
“They are killing our dolphins. We should be protecting them. Why are these fishing boats coming into our sea and doing this to our dolphins and our sea species?”
The vessel is a locally based foreign fishing vessel owned by Bismarck Pacific Sunrise Fishing Corp and is associated with the fleet operations of Frabelle Fishing Corporation, a Philippine-owned company long-established in PNG waters.
PNG’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Jelta Wong told RNZ Pacific he was expecting a report on the incident from the National Fisheries Authority’s Surveillance Unit.
“It’s illegal. I am investigating this. They will be penalised heavily, I’m sifting through the evidence,” Wong said.
A large number of dolphins live in the sea around Manus Province, where they are highly valued by local communities as sentient beings who help people lost at sea find their way home.
“We love them, they are part of us,” Semin said.
“We like to look after various species like dolphin and others sea animals like that, so that will make our people very, very angry when they come across this video”.
He said that as well as showing the vessel catching huge amounts of tuna, the footage of foreigners pulling out dead dolphins from the net was offensive to PNG people.
“That’s what makes me very cross, because we love dolphins, we preserve dolphins in our areas, and when this fishing boat come and act like this, this is not good, this is not right at all,” said Semin…. PACNEWS
PNG – RETIREMENT SAVINGS TAX: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 12 Jun 2026
PNG MP raises concern on retirement savings tax
PORT MORESBY, 12 JUNE 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Discussions are underway between the government, treasury, taxation authorities and relevant authorities to review the tax on retirement entitlements for public servants, says Public Service Minister Joe Sungi.
Sungi revealed this in Parliament when responding to question raised by Goroka MP Aiye Tambua, who called on the Government to review the tax on the public servants’ retirement entitlements.
Sungi acknowledged the concern adding that it was an important and timely issue.
He said discussions were already underway between the government, the treasury, taxation authorities and relevant agencies on the matter. Sungi explained that retiring public servants generally received two forms of payment which were their final employment entitlements, including leave and other accumulated benefits and their superannuation payout.
He noted that taxation arrangements differ depending on the nature of the payment and the beneficiaries involved.
Sungi said the Government was examining the broader implications of any changes, including the impact on state revenue, but confirmed that the issue was receiving serious consideration at the highest levels.
He added that the Government were aware of the concerns being raised by public servants and retirees and discussions were continuing on possible reforms. “We are looking at the matter carefully and considering the best possible advice from Treasury,” the minister said.
Tambua said he recently attended a police retirement function and was concerned by the amount of tax deducted from retirement payments.
He noted that many public servants contributed to tax throughout their working life, only to see a significant portion of their final payouts reduced through taxation.
He urged the Government to consider either removing the tax on retirement benefits altogether or reducing the rate to 10 percent, stating that the retirees deserved to receive the full benefit of their years of service…. PACNEWS
SOL – MINING ISSUE: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 12 Jun 2026
Solomon Islands Opposition leader Sogavare urges AG Suri to recuse himself from 33 shipments investigation
HONIARA, 12 JUNE 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS) — Solomon Islands Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare has urged Attorney General Gabriel Suri to stand aside from current investigations into the controversial 33 shipments of bauxite.
The Government initiated the investigation, and Suri has ordered the Director of Mines, Christa Tatapu, to provide all documents relating to the shipments.
The 33 shipments came from West Rennell mining operations carried out by Bintan Mining SI Ltd, an Asian firm contracted by mining lease-holder Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID).
Government, provincial authorities, and landowners were not paid royalties totalling SBD$8.6 million from the shipments made between 2017 and 2019.
At the time, Suri – who owns Suri’s Law Practice – was the legal counsel for APID.
Sogavare in a statement said Suri should fully recuse himself from all APID-related matters, whether in court proceedings, legal advice, Cabinet processes, official correspondence, or any investigative or enforcement decisions.
“All APID-related work should be delegated to law officers or independent counsel who are free from any actual or apparent conflict of interest,” the Opposition leader said.
He added that Prime Minister Matthew Wale should publicly clarify what safeguards, screening arrangements, or recusal measures have been put in place since Suri’s appointment.
“Any ongoing APID-related investigation should continue under arrangements that protect its independence and safeguard the integrity of existing court proceedings,” Sogavare said.
“Solomon Islands cannot afford a culture where conflicts of interest are ignored until public confidence is broken. Public office carries a duty to avoid even the appearance that prior loyalties might influence present decisions.”
Sogavare said the issue has now become a serious test of integrity in public office, the independence of legal decision-making, and public confidence in the administration of justice.
When contacted, Suri told In-Depth Solomons he was not involved in the operational aspects of APID’s mining activities or the shipment of bauxite from West Rennell when he acted as the company’s lawyer.
He said he represented APID in defending its mining lease when it was challenged by landowners and later cancelled by former Mines Minister Bradley Tovosia.
“I also represented APID in its legal action against its contractor, Bintan Mining, over unpaid contractual monies, including royalties,” Suri said.
“But I was not involved in operational matters, and I was not involved in any shipments, including the 33 shipments,” he added.
Sogavare said the Opposition will continue to monitor the matter closely and pursue full accountability through the appropriate constitutional and parliamentary channels…. PACNEWS
UN – SEAFEARERS: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 12 Jun 2026
Three seafarers killed in Hormuz strike as UN warns of widening fallout
NEW YORK/TEHRAN, 12 JUNE 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — Three seafarers were killed in an attack on an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, as renewed hostilities in one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors once again heightened concern over food security, fuel prices and broken global supply chains.
The latest strike, which the United States said had been carried out as part of its blockade enforcement operations, involved the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello near the coast of Oman.
Tit-for-tat strikes by the U.S and Iran following the apparent suspension of negotiations to end the war threaten to accelerate, with President Trump on social media promising to hit Iran “very hard” and “assume total control of their oil and gas markets.”
The UN Secretary-General is “deeply concerned” by the continuing escalation, his spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.
António Guterres urged all parties to return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and warned that any further deterioration could trigger “a full resumption of the conflict, with unpredictable consequences for the region and the world, especially the most vulnerable countries.”
According to UN maritime agency, the latest incident brings the number of confirmed seafarer fatalities to 14 since the crisis began on 28 February. The agency has verified 46 attacks on international shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz during that period.
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez strongly condemned the attack, calling them “simply unacceptable.”
“I strongly condemn any act from any party that endangers the lives of seafarers and the safety of international shipping,” he said.
Beyond the immediate loss of life, the UN maritime agency warns that thousands of civilian seafarers remain exposed to mounting risks.
Across the wider Gulf region, roughly 20,000 seafarers are estimated to remain aboard commercial and offshore vessels. IMO says many are operating under sustained security threats and severe psychological pressure, while some crews remain detained by parties to the conflict.
While the Strait of Hormuz is often viewed through the lens of energy markets, the consequences of an uptick in fighting extend far beyond oil.
Earlier this week, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Director-General Qu Dongyu said the closure and disruption of the waterway represented “a global food security risk.”
Around 35 percent of global crude oil exports, 20 percent of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, between 20 and 30 percent of global fertiliser exports and roughly half of global sulphur exports pass through the narrow maritime corridor, he noted.
“These flows are essential for global food production,” Qu said.
The greatest danger, FAO warned at the outset of the crisis, was not an immediate shortage of food but a “delayed shock” to fertilizer supplies and agricultural production.
One hundred days later, those concerns are becoming increasingly visible. Farmers across Africa, Asia and Latin America are facing higher production costs and difficult decisions over fertiliser use, crop choices and investment.
This could translate into weaker harvests and higher food prices in the months ahead.
Signs of that pressure are already emerging. FAO reported that its cereal price index rose 2.6 percent in May compared with April and was nearly five percent higher than a year earlier.
Wheat prices increased 3.4 percent month-on-month and 7.8 percent compared with May 2025, while rice prices rose 2.7 percent.
The agency has urged governments to keep trade open, avoid export restrictions on agricultural inputs, protect food corridors and secure alternative logistics routes. It is also promoting more efficient fertiliser use, precision agriculture and alternative products.
According to a logistics bulletin from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in late May, the crisis has disrupted regional transport corridors, ports, airspace, border crossings and fuel supply chains across the Middle East and beyond.
The effects are being felt particularly in Afghanistan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Yemen and of course Iran, while disruptions are also spilling into humanitarian operations in East Africa.
Fuel prices have risen sharply in several countries. Since the crisis began, diesel prices have increased by more than 62 percent in Lebanon and 44 percent in Yemen, while gasoline prices have climbed by more than 60 percent in Pakistan.
More than 100 days after hostilities began, disruptions in the strait continue to reverberate with economic and humanitarian consequences far beyond the Middle East – affecting commercial shipping routes, aid corridors, farms, food markets, fuel prices and households around the world.
On Thursday, Secretary-General Guterres once again urged all parties to return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and avoid any further deterioration – reiterating the call he made yesterday at a high-level Security Council meeting.
“The only way forward is through genuine dialogue and negotiations,” he said, calling on the U.S and Iran to “redouble their efforts towards a peaceful, comprehensive and durable agreement that advances regional and international peace and security…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
UNFPA reports major health and Population gains despite funding cuts
By Pita Ligaiula
NEW YORK, 12 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says it delivered major gains in maternal health, reproductive health services and population data collection during its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan period despite facing significant funding cuts and rising humanitarian needs.
Presenting her first annual report to the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNFPA and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Executive Director Diene Keita said the agency continued to support countries through a period marked by financial pressures, geopolitical tensions, demographic change, artificial intelligence and the climate crisis.
“We meet at a time of profound transformation. Financial pressures, geopolitical tensions, demographic change, artificial intelligence and the climate crisis are reshaping our world. At the same time, progress on reproductive rights and choices remains uneven, with hard-won gains coming under challenge in some settings.”
Keita said UNFPA remained focused on advancing health, equality and resilience while accelerating efforts to end preventable maternal deaths.
“Yet I stand before you with confidence and pride. Not because the challenges are small, but because the commitment of Member States, partners and communities remains strong. Together, we continue to deliver for women, girls and young people where needs are greatest.”
According to the report, contraceptives provided by UNFPA between 2022 and 2025 helped avert more than 66 million unintended pregnancies. UNFPA support also helped prevent more than 140,000 maternal deaths and provided obstetric fistula treatment and recovery to more than 50,000 women and girls.
In crisis settings, the agency supported more than eight million safe births, while more than 24 million women and young people with disabilities benefited from sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services.
The report said more than 28 million girls received life skills and comprehensive sexuality education through UNFPA’s joint programme with UNICEF to end child marriage, while more than 800,000 girls were protected from female genital mutilation.
Keita highlighted the importance of population data, saying 70 percent of the world’s population was counted in the 2020 census round with UNFPA support.
“Data helps ensure that everyone counts and that decisions respond to their needs and realities.”
She highlighted recent country-level achievements, including the launch of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s first census in more than 40 years, a new gender-based violence strategy in Papua New Guinea backed by US$41 million in annual domestic resources, and the inauguration of a maternity waiting home in Fiji to improve access to care for women in remote communities.
“In recent weeks, I have seen these results firsthand.”
Keita said countries were increasingly seeking UNFPA support on population dynamics and demographic change, prompting the inclusion of a new outcome on demographic resilience in the agency’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan.
“The new fourth outcome of our Strategic Plan on demographic change and population dynamics reflects growing demand for UNFPA technical support in this area.”
“Whether countries are facing population growth, ageing, low fertility, urbanisation or migration, they are increasingly seeking UNFPA’s assistance to navigate these transitions.”
She stressed that demographic trends should be addressed through policies that expand rights and opportunities.
“UNFPA’s mandate is grounded in the conviction that population dynamics are not problems to be solved, but realities to be understood and addressed through policies that advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, choices and opportunity.”
“There is no single demographic challenge facing all countries. But there is one common solution: investing in people.”
The report also detailed UNFPA’s humanitarian work in 2025, when the agency responded to crises in 48 countries, reaching nearly 10 million people with sexual and reproductive health services and more than four million women and girls with gender-based violence prevention and response services.
In Afghanistan, more than 12 million people accessed reproductive health and psychosocial support services through UNFPA-supported facilities staffed by more than 2,500 female frontline workers.
In Gaza, the agency reached more than 200,000 people with sexual and reproductive health services and nearly 160,000 people with gender-based violence services.
Keita warned that humanitarian needs continue to rise while funding is falling.
“Yet we face a stark reality: needs are rising while resources are shrinking.”
She said UNFPA estimates that 84 million people will require gender-based violence prevention and response services in 2026, while nearly eight million pregnant women will need humanitarian assistance.
UNFPA’s 2026 humanitarian appeal is seeking US$1 billion to reach 34 million women, girls and young people across 43 countries, but is currently only 23 percent funded.
“The challenges extend beyond funding. We are facing a global protection crisis. International humanitarian law is too often violated.”
Keita also highlighted the impact of major donor funding reductions, saying cuts of approximately US$330 million made 2025 a difficult year for both UNFPA and the wider multilateral system.
Despite those reductions, she said UNFPA received more than US$1.4 billion in contributions in 2025, exceeding its Strategic Plan target by US$60 million.
“Core funding remains essential. It enables our global presence, technical assistance and rapid response where needs are greatest.”
She urged Member States to continue providing predictable and flexible funding and to recognise sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services as life-saving.
Looking ahead, Keita said UNFPA is investing in climate resilience, innovation and new technologies, including artificial intelligence, drones and digital tools, to improve health outcomes for women and girls.
“As we respond to today’s challenges, we are also preparing for tomorrow.”
She said the agency remained committed to accountability, transparency and ethical conduct while adapting its business model to meet evolving global demands.
“The world today is very different from the world in which UNFPA was created. Yet the fundamental questions remain the same: How do we help every person realise their potential? How do we build resilient societies in times of change? And how do we leave future generations better prepared than the one we inherited?”
Keita said UNFPA’s mandate remained highly relevant as countries increasingly seek support on demographic trends, population data, reproductive health and gender-based violence prevention.
“Our goals are simple, but their impact is profound: every pregnancy wanted, every childbirth safe, every young person’s potential fulfilled, and everyone counted – because everyone counts.”
“That is our mission, given by you. That is our promise. And with your continued partnership, trust and support, I know we will keep it,” said Keita…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Palau’s National Congress takes ownership of new Parliamentary website
KOROR, 12 JUNE 2026 (UNDP) — Palau’s National Congress, the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK), took ownership of a new joint website for the Senate and the House of Delegates during a handover ceremony held on 26 May 2026, making an important step towards greater transparency, accessibility and public engagement in the legislative process.
The ceremony brought together Floor Leaders and members of both chambers, representatives of the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to celebrate the successful completion and transfer of the platform to the OEK.
Participants at the OEK Website Handover Ceremony, Palau Royal Resort, 26 May 2026.
The website was developed under Phase two of the Strengthening Legislatures in Pacific Island Countries (SLIP II) project, a UNDP initiative funded by the Government of Japan that enhances the effectiveness and transparency of parliamentary systems across Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Palau, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
The development process was carried out by expert digital designers in close collaboration with the staff of both chambers, ensuring the platforms are tailored to the specific needs of the Parliament and are sustainable over the long term.
Delivering opening remarks on behalf of the OEK, Senate Floor Leader, Kerai Mariur underscored the Parliament’s commitment to keeping citizens informed and engaged in the legislative process.
“The purpose of establishing a website for the Olbiil Era Kelulau goes far beyond simply creating an online presence. It is about strengthening transparency, accountability, promote public engagement and public access to the work of the national legislature. Through this website our people can stay informed about legislation, public hearings, enacted laws, and the work of their elected representatives.”
House Floor Leader Honorable Warren S. Umetaro who delivered the closing remarks, acknowledged the support of the Government of Japan and UNDP in making the initiative possible.
“The direct impact of this project will create a stronger connection between the people and their national legislature by ensuring information is timely, accessible, accurate, and professionally managed.”
Japan’s Ambassador to Palau, Kenichi Kasahara, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting good governance and parliamentary democracy across the Pacific.
“The website will enable not only the people of Palau, but also those in Japan — located approximately 3,200 kilometers away — to stay informed about the latest developments in Palau in real time. We have long anticipated the launch of such an information platform, and the Government of Japan is honoured to have play a part in this important endeavour.”
UNDP North Pacific Deputy Resident Representative Gulbahor Nematova said the handover forms part of a broader regional agenda to bring Pacific parliaments closer to the citizens they serve.
“Whether Palauans are here in Koror, Sonsorol, or across the oceans in other countries, this website will enable them to see the OEK’s work in real time, to follow and contribute to critical public discussions, and understand the work of their elected representatives in terms of representation, legislation and oversight.”
Once launched, the website will provide easy access to information on elected representatives, legislative schedules, committee activities, and official announcements. Built on a modern Content Management System, the platform includes the technical infrastructure and governance arrangements needed to support regular updates and ongoing maintenance by OEK staff.
As part of the handover process, content management training was provided to OEK staff as part of the handover process to ensure the platform remains current and functional. The OEK is expected to announce a public launch of the website in due course.
The handover marks the successful completion of another milestone under the SLIP II project, reinforcing ongoing efforts by the Government of Japan and UNDP to strengthen parliamentary institutions and promote transparent, inclusive, and accountable governance across the Pacific….PACNEWS
For more information please contact: Gayeshan Jayasundara, UNDP North Pacific Office, Governance Focal Point Officer, gayeshan.jayasundara@undp.org or Risiate Biudole, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Communications Analyst, risiate.biudole@undp.org
