Latest news with #CalebFotheringham
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Nauru Says Deep Sea Mining And Ocean Conservation Can Coexist
Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Ocean conservation and deep sea mining are not in conflict, Nauru's climate change minister has told leaders at the United Nations Ocean Conference. Asterio Appi said Nauru sees the extraction of metals from deep sea nodules as essential for the increased production of electricity as the world moves away from fossil fuels. "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development," Appi said. Deep sea mining involves extracting potato size rocks called nodules - which are packed full of valuable metals - from the seafloor many kilometres deep. Earlier this month, Nauru updated its commercial agreement with Canadian mining group The Metals Company for deep sea mining in international waters. It comes at a time of increasing uncertainty in the deep sea mining industry with both the United States and International Seabed Authority (ISA) stating each offers a licencing pathway to mine the seabed in international waters. According to the UN's Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, Nauru is the fifth most vulnerable nation in the world. Appi said Nauru had financial needs to address issues related to climate change and economic instability. "Nauru considers that the sustainable use of our oceans must include the responsible recovery and extraction of these critical energy transition metals to ensure supply chain security," he said. Also read: The five-day Ocean Conference in Nice - co-hosted by France and Costa Rica - concluded on on Friday. One of the key aims was to get the High Seas Treaty ratified by 60 countries to bring it into force. Fifty countries had ratified it by Friday, with a dozen more promising to do so by the end of the year. Vanuatu's Climate Change Adaptation Minister Ralph Regenvanu told journalists that fossil fuel reduction did not feature enough at the conference. "It's the single greatest cause of the damage to the oceans that we're seeing now and we're not talking about it enough." He said the Pacific is living through a climate emergency every day. "You're recovering, you're coming to the next one, you're facing another one. You're preparing for something, for example a lot of people living on the cost can no longer access fresh water like they used to, so just basic things being affected. "Those of us who are the most climate vulnerable now are simply living the future that we're all going to get one day." Tuvalu's Prime Minister Feleti Teo said he was an "optimist by nature" and believed the conference had contributed to the climate change conversation. However, Teo said he wanted to see more action from the big emitters. "As a small island developing country, we don't have that influence to pressure them to change their policies, but we need to sustain the pressure and meeting of this sort give us that opportunity to continue to tell that story." He said the ocean means everything to the people of Tuvalu. New Zealand committed NZ$52 million dollars to strengthen ocean governance in the Pacific. But the country's environment and climate change ministry chief executive said Australia and New Zealand's fossil fuel expansion raises questions about their respect, or lack of it towards the ocean. "If Australia and New Zealand are going to expand oil and gas that sends a very strong signal that the agreements or decisions that they have made internationally are not upheld," Sivendra Michael said. "So who do we hold to account? Are there any government mechanisms that we can legislatively or through the judicial system, take them to court?" Michael said legislation is also needed to hold countries to account for trans-boundary waste, like if the Great Pacific Garbage Patch enters into a countries exclusive economic zone.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes
Article – RNZ Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of 14 May in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central Papua. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Iwan Dwi Prihartono, in a video statement translated into English, said 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed. He claimed the military wanted to provide health services and education to residents in villages in Intan Jaya but they were confronted by the TPNPB. Prihartono said the military confiscated an AK47, homemade weapons, ammunition, bows and arrows and the morning star flag – used as a symbol for West Papuan independence. But, according to the TPNPB, only three of the group's soldiers were killed with the rest being civilians. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua said civilians killed included a 75-year-old, two women and a child. Both the women were allegedly found on 23 May in shallow graves. A spokesperson from the Embassy of Indonesia in Wellington said all 18 people killed were part of the TPNPB, as confirmed by the military. 'The local regent of Intan Jaya has checked for the victims at their home and hospitals; therefore, he can confirm that the 18 victims were in fact all members of the armed criminal group,' they said. 'The difference in numbers of victim sometimes happens because the armed criminal group tried to downplay their casualties or to try to create confusion.' The spokesperson said the military operation was carried out because local authorities 'followed up upon complaints and reports from local communities that were terrified and terrorized by the armed criminal group'. Jakarta-based Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said it was part of the wider, Operation Habema which started last year. 'It is a military operation to 'eliminate' the Free Papua guerilla fighters, not only in Intan Jaya but in several agencies along the central highlands,' Harsono said. He said it's been intensifying since the TPNPB killed 17 miners in April, which the armed group accused of being 'military informers'. RNZ Pacific has been sent photos of people who have been allegedly killed or injured in the 14 May assault, while others have been shared by ULMWP. Harsono said despite the photos and videos it's hard to verify if civilians had been killed. He said Indonesia claimed civilian casualties – including of the women who were allegedly buried in shallow graves – were a result of the TPNPB. 'The TPNPB says, 'of course, it is a lie why should we kill an indigenous woman?' Well, you know, it is difficult to verify which one is correct, because they're fighting the battle [in a very remote area]. 'It's difficult to cross-check whatever information coming from there, including the fact that it is difficult to get big videos or big photos from the area with the metadata.' Harsono said Indonesia is now using drones to fight the TPNPB. 'This is something new; I think it will change the security situation, the battle situation in West Papua. 'So far the TPNPB has not used drones; they are still struggling. In fact, most of them are still using bows and arrows in the conflict with the Indonesian military.'
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes
Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of 14 May in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central Papua. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Iwan Dwi Prihartono, in a video statement translated into English, said 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed. He claimed the military wanted to provide health services and education to residents in villages in Intan Jaya but they were confronted by the TPNPB. Prihartono said the military confiscated an AK47, homemade weapons, ammunition, bows and arrows and the morning star flag – used as a symbol for West Papuan independence. But, according to the TPNPB, only three of the group's soldiers were killed with the rest being civilians. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua said civilians killed included a 75-year-old, two women and a child. Both the women were allegedly found on 23 May in shallow graves. A spokesperson from the Embassy of Indonesia in Wellington said all 18 people killed were part of the TPNPB, as confirmed by the military. 'The local regent of Intan Jaya has checked for the victims at their home and hospitals; therefore, he can confirm that the 18 victims were in fact all members of the armed criminal group,' they said. 'The difference in numbers of victim sometimes happens because the armed criminal group tried to downplay their casualties or to try to create confusion.' The spokesperson said the military operation was carried out because local authorities 'followed up upon complaints and reports from local communities that were terrified and terrorized by the armed criminal group'. Jakarta-based Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said it was part of the wider, Operation Habema which started last year. 'It is a military operation to 'eliminate' the Free Papua guerilla fighters, not only in Intan Jaya but in several agencies along the central highlands,' Harsono said. He said it's been intensifying since the TPNPB killed 17 miners in April, which the armed group accused of being 'military informers'. RNZ Pacific has been sent photos of people who have been allegedly killed or injured in the 14 May assault, while others have been shared by ULMWP. Harsono said despite the photos and videos it's hard to verify if civilians had been killed. He said Indonesia claimed civilian casualties – including of the women who were allegedly buried in shallow graves – were a result of the TPNPB. 'The TPNPB says, 'of course, it is a lie why should we kill an indigenous woman?' Well, you know, it is difficult to verify which one is correct, because they're fighting the battle [in a very remote area]. 'It's difficult to cross-check whatever information coming from there, including the fact that it is difficult to get big videos or big photos from the area with the metadata.' Harsono said Indonesia is now using drones to fight the TPNPB. 'This is something new; I think it will change the security situation, the battle situation in West Papua. 'So far the TPNPB has not used drones; they are still struggling. In fact, most of them are still using bows and arrows in the conflict with the Indonesian military.'
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes
Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of 14 May in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central Papua. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Iwan Dwi Prihartono, in a video statement translated into English, said 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed. He claimed the military wanted to provide health services and education to residents in villages in Intan Jaya but they were confronted by the TPNPB. Prihartono said the military confiscated an AK47, homemade weapons, ammunition, bows and arrows and the morning star flag - used as a symbol for West Papuan independence. But, according to the TPNPB, only three of the group's soldiers were killed with the rest being civilians. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua said civilians killed included a 75-year-old, two women and a child. Both the women were allegedly found on 23 May in shallow graves. A spokesperson from the Embassy of Indonesia in Wellington said all 18 people killed were part of the TPNPB, as confirmed by the military. "The local regent of Intan Jaya has checked for the victims at their home and hospitals; therefore, he can confirm that the 18 victims were in fact all members of the armed criminal group," they said. "The difference in numbers of victim sometimes happens because the armed criminal group tried to downplay their casualties or to try to create confusion." The spokesperson said the military operation was carried out because local authorities "followed up upon complaints and reports from local communities that were terrified and terrorized by the armed criminal group". Jakarta-based Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said it was part of the wider, Operation Habema which started last year. "It is a military operation to 'eliminate' the Free Papua guerilla fighters, not only in Intan Jaya but in several agencies along the central highlands," Harsono said. He said it's been intensifying since the TPNPB killed 17 miners in April, which the armed group accused of being "military informers". RNZ Pacific has been sent photos of people who have been allegedly killed or injured in the 14 May assault, while others have been shared by ULMWP. Harsono said despite the photos and videos it's hard to verify if civilians had been killed. He said Indonesia claimed civilian casualties - including of the women who were allegedly buried in shallow graves - were a result of the TPNPB. "The TPNPB says, 'of course, it is a lie why should we kill an indigenous woman?' Well, you know, it is difficult to verify which one is correct, because they're fighting the battle [in a very remote area]. "It's difficult to cross-check whatever information coming from there, including the fact that it is difficult to get big videos or big photos from the area with the metadata." Harsono said Indonesia is now using drones to fight the TPNPB. "This is something new; I think it will change the security situation, the battle situation in West Papua. "So far the TPNPB has not used drones; they are still struggling. In fact, most of them are still using bows and arrows in the conflict with the Indonesian military."
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Increased Movement Of People Making Dengue Outbreaks More Common, Says Mosquito Expert
Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Dengue fever outbreaks have been surging in recent decades but new initiatives like infecting mosquitos with bacteria or genetic modification could dramatically slow the spread. According to the World Health Organization there was just over 500,0000 reported cases in 2000 - ballooning to 5.2 million in 2019. Last year, there were 14 million dengue cases - a record number dwarfing the previous 2023 high of 6.5 million. This year, there's been 2.5 million. Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands have all declared dengue outbreaks. Samoa, Fiji and Tonga have each had at least one death from the viral infection. Greg Devine from the World Mosquito Program said increased globalisation is making outbreaks more common. Devine said mosquitos that carry the virus "hitchhike around the world" and the increased movement of people is increasing those infected by dengue. Devine said a lot of people also don't have immunity. "They don't have any protection against it because they've never been exposed to it before," he said. "Dengue comes in four different serotypes, so just because you've had one doesn't mean you can't get another." He said climate change was having an increasing impact. "We are hotter and wetter than we've ever been before and that's great for mosquitoes. It also means that the virus in mosquitoes is replicating more rapidly." The aedes aegypti mosquito - which carries dengue - is considered a tropical or subtropical mosquito, but Devine said warmer weather would also increase the mosquitoes' range of where it inhabits. In the Pacific, health ministries are trying to stamp out mosquito breeding grounds and are spraying insecticides outside. But Devine said doing so has had limited success in reducing the spread. He said the aedes aegypti mosquito is "completely reliant upon humans for its blood meals" which meant it liked to stay indoors, not outdoors where the majority of the spraying happens. "Outdoor use of insecticides, it's perhaps better than nothing and the truth is that the community wants to see something happening. "That's a very visible intervention but the reality is, there's a very limited evidence base for its impact." Mosquitoes continually exposed to insecticides would also evolve resistance, Devine said. The World Mosquito Programme infects mosquitos with a naturally occurring bacteria called Wolbachia, which stops viruses like dengue growing in the mosquitoes' bodies. "It's been trialled in New Caledonia, where it's been extremely successful," Devine said. "In the years since, the mosquito releases have been made by the World Mosquito Program, there's been no dengue epidemics where once they were extremely common." He said genetically modified mosquitoes were also being looked at as a solution. "That's a different kind of strategy, where you release large numbers of mosquitoes which have been modified in a way which means when those males interact with the local mosquito female population, the resulting offspring are not viable, and so that can crash the entire population." When asked if that could collapse the entire aedes aegypti mosquito population, Devine said he wouldn't be "particularly worried about decimating numbers". "People often refer to it as the kind of cockroach of the mosquito world. "It's very, very closely adapted to the human population in most parts of its range. The species evolved in Africa and has since, spread throughout the world. It's not a particularly important mosquito for many ecosystems."
