Category Archives: Oceania

Pope Francis will take an overseas trip in September, a nearly two-week long tour of Asia and Oceania, with stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Singapore, the Vatican announced on Friday.

Timorese President Jos Ramos-Horta responded to the announcement with an entreaty to the leaders and citizens, Catholics and believers of all other faiths to join hands, collaborate and work to receive our greatest leader with great joy and consecrate Timor Leste as a land of human fraternity.

The government of Timor Leste, one of only two majority-Catholic Asian countries, has already made available 10.9 million euros to organise activities for the papal visit as well as a Vatican mission to the country in June.

[See more: High-level meetings reaffirm elevated Chinese-Timorese ties]

Outreach is one of the hallmarks of Francis pontificate, in spite of recurring health problems. In 2023, he visited Mongolia, even though its Catholic population is just 1,500.

The upcoming trip will be the longest of his 11-year papacy. The whirlwind tour has him scheduled to visit Jakarta (3-6 September) before travelling to Port Moresby and Vanimo (6-9 September) then Dili (9-11 September), then wrapping things up in Singapore (11-13 September).

Of the stops, Timor-Leste has by far the highest proportion of Catholics in the population (97.6%), followed by Papua New Guinea (26%), Singapore (7%) and Indonesia (3%). However, the sheer size of Indonesia the fourth most populated country in the world means that its population of 8 million Catholics far exceeds the others.

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Vatican announces long-awaited papal visit to Asia and Oceania - Macao News

Photo Credit: OFC Media via Tonga FA

Tonga is off to a winning start at their home tournament, securing a 3-0 victory over American Samoa at the OFC U-16 Mens Championship 2024 Qualifying.

After the Solomon Islands spectacular victory against Papua New Guinea in the days earlier match, the hosts Tonga followed a similar script at least to start their match, scoring inside five minutes.

Out of nothing, Tevita Falepapalangi added his name on the score sheet. The Tongan attacker chased a ball down into the box, which American Samoa goalkeeper Alvin Talataiga failed to pick it up, allowing Falepapalangi to poach the ball and score.

Tongas tails were up, and the chances started to come thick and fast. Speedy winger Talaiasi Faluku used his pace to break into the box twice in five minutes, but he couldnt convert on both occasions.

American Samoa then settled into the match, as they started to defend in unison, ensuring they kept the hosts lightening quick attack at bay. Larry Faaoga, a standout at the heart of his teams defence.

The energy in the second half certainly didnt match the first, as both teams turned to substitutions after the 50-minute mark, to inject life back into their side. And it worked, a poor clearance at the back by American Samoa put Tonga on attack. Siaki Lonitenisi then delivered a beautiful low cross, across the face of the goal, that was met by substitute Tupou Havea at the back post.

As the intensity increased on the pitch, so did the opportunities, goal scorer Havea sent a ball in behind that Falepapalangi latched on to. Beating the remaining defender, but his heavy touch put the ball in the path of a flying Faluku, who tapped the ball into an empty net to make it 3-0 after 69 minutes.

The hosts remained in control for the rest of the match continually applying pressure on the American Samoa defence. But as hard as they tried, Tonga were unable to extend their advantage, settling for a deserved 3-0 victory.

It sets up an intriguing encounter on Tuesday at Teufaiva Stadium, with Tonga set to clash with the Solomon Islands, while American Samoa will take on Papua New Guinea.

Tonga: 3 (Tevita FALEPAPALANGI 5, Tupou HAVEA 59, Talaiasi FALUKU 69)

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Hosts Tonga launch campaign with dominant victory against American Samoa - Oceania Football Confederation

Oceania Cruises welcomes guests on board its newest ship,Vista, for its inaugural 180-day 2026 Around the World voyage, which will visit 101 ports across 43 countries. Booking officially open on March 13.

The 2026 Around the World journey comprises a line-up of destinations, attractions and encounters. Starting with a sweeping six-week exploration of South America, fully charting the continents western coast before continuing to Mexico and California,Vistawill then island-hop in the South Pacific and call on unique Australian ports such as the Whitsunday Islands. Travelling after that to South-east Asia and across India, the ship will also call at coastal villages and iconic cities throughout the Mediterranean, British Isles and Nordic region before crossing back over to the US.

This epic voyage features over 80 UNESCO World Heritage sites across 101 destinations, with 11 overnight stays and a series of curated complimentary special onshore events and optional multi-day overland programmes.

Starting at US$59,699 per person, the 180-day world cruise boasts an array of included amenities such as free laundry services, free Internet, free pre-paid gratuities and a free US$1,000 Shipboard Credit per stateroom, as well as inclusive simply MORE amenities including a shore excursion credit of US$8,800 per stateroom and a comprehensive beverage package available during lunch and dinner.

In addition toVistas Around the World in 180 days cruise, Oceania Cruises is offering Global Wanderlust, a 120-day voyage from San Diego to Miami, as well as World Odyssey, a 197-day cruise from Los Angeles to Miami.

For more information, visit Oceania Cruises.

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Oceania Cruises unveils 2026 around the world voyage on Vista - TTG Asia

By Jared Samuelson

Zach Ota comes aboard to discuss maritime security approaches in Oceania. Zach is a Marine Corps infantry officer and a Southeast Asia Regional Affairs Officer.

Download Sea Control 501 Multilateral Approaches to Maritime Security in Oceania with Zach Ota

Links

1.21st Century as the Pacific Century Culture and Security of Oceania States in Great Power Competition, edited by Joanna Siekiera, University of Warsaw Press, 2023.

2.Sea Control 255 Littoral Access Companies with Zach Ota,CIMSEC, June 3, 2021.

3.Sea Control 304 -France in the Pacific,CIMSEC, December 23, 2021.

4.Sea Control 333 CRIMARIO: France, the EU and the Indo-Pacific,CIMSEC, April 3, 2022.

5.Island Soldier.

Jared Samuelson is Co-Host and Executive Producer of the Sea Control podcast. Contact him at Seacontrol@cimsec.org.

This episode was edited and produced by Addison Pellerano.

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Sea Control 501 Multilateral Approaches to Maritime Security in Oceania with Zach Ota | Center for International ... - CIMSEC

Set sail on an epic 180-day world journey across six continents visiting 43 countries, 101 ports and 81 UNESCO World Heritage sites

MIAMI, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Opening up the world to a new era of global exploration,Oceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, welcomes guests on board its newest ship, Vista, for its highly anticipated inaugural 180-day 2026 Around the World voyage. Having set the standard for extraordinary sailings for over a decade with destination-immersive global journeys, Oceania Cruises sets a new bar with unparalleled comfort and convenience, electing Vista to host this year's circumnavigation visiting 101 ports across 43 countries. Now open for preview, bookings for this unique, all-encompassing journey officially open on March 13, 2024.

Setting sail from Miami on January 6, the boutique 1,200-guest vessel will cross three oceans and 18 seas, exploring the jewels of Southeast Asia and Australia, island-hopping in the South Pacific, calling on unique ports in Europe, and exploring favorite South American cities. Fully charting entire continental coastlines, the journey features both off-the-beaten-path secrets and impressive cities embracing cultural immersions, epicurean discoveries and breathtaking natural wonders.

"After the remarkable success of our most recent world cruises, we have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to present travelers with an even more extraordinary experience for our 2026 voyage," remarked Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. "With that, we are excited to announce that Vista, Oceania Cruises' pinnacle of luxury and newest ship, will circumnavigate the globe artfully intertwining diverse continents, enriching cultures, and mouthwatering cuisines, creating an unforgettable tapestry of exploration for our guests. With this new voyage, we are excited to offer a rare chance to experience the world from an entirely new perspective and further forward the future of global cruising."

Around the World in 180 Days

The 2026 Around the World journey weaves together a lineup of destinations into a brilliant kaleidoscope of world wonders, marvelous attractions, and exceptional encounters. Vista will start its six-month sojourn with a sweeping six-week exploration of South America, fully charting the continent's western coast before continuing to Mexico and California, and then will island-hop in the dazzling South Pacific and call on unique Australian ports such as the Whitsunday Islands. Farther west, off-the-beaten-path secrets will come to life in Southeast Asia and across India. Toward the end of the voyage, Vista will call into enchanting coastal villages and iconic cities throughout the Mediterranean, British Isles and Nordic region before crossing back over to the United States.

Continuing to elevate The Finest Cuisine at Sea, Vista features 11 onboard culinary venues including the lines' newest additions: Aquamar Kitchen, offering an array of wellness-inspired dishes with a hint of indulgence; The Bakery at Baristas, serving tempting freshly baked pastries; and new signature restaurant, Ember. At 791 feet (241 meters) long and more than 67,000 tons, Vista offers a market-leading staffing ratio with two crew members for every three guests. On board, culinary aficionados will delight in the gourmet experiences curated by Oceania Cruises' two resident Master Chefs of France, Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale. From immersive Culinary Discovery Tours ashore to hands-on cooking classes back on board, guests will have the opportunity to savor the flavors of cultures from around the world alongside Director of Culinary Enrichment Kathryn Kelly, an Oceania Cruises Around the World first. Vista additionally offers an elevated variety of onboard activities including eight bars, lounges and entertainment venues, including the new Founders Bar, the luxurious Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center and Aquamar Spa Terrace.

This epic voyage features over 80 UNESCO World Heritage sites across 101 destinations, with 11 overnight stays and a series of curated complimentary special onshore events and optional multi-day overland programs. Starting at $59,699 per person for the French Veranda Stateroom category, the 180-day world cruise boasts free first-class roundtrip airfare and transfers, an array of included amenities with the Exclusive Prestige Package such as free laundry services, a free visa package, free Internet, free pre-paid gratuities, free luggage delivery, as well as inclusive simply MORE amenities including a generous shore excursion credit of $8,800 per stateroom and a comprehensive beverage package available during lunch and dinner.

World Odyssey and Global Wanderlust Voyages

In addition to Vista's Around the World in 180 days cruise, Oceania Cruises is offering more flexibility than ever by offering Global Wanderlust, a 120-day voyage from San Diego to Miami, as well as World Odyssey, a 197-day cruise from Los Angeles to Miami. While the global destinations are naturally the star attraction on this journey, the luxurious ambiance of Vista welcomes guests to the ultimate home at sea. With staterooms among the most spacious ever to be offered on a world journey, Oceania Cruises provides the space for a ritual of rejuvenation before exploring each day.

A detailed brochure for Oceania Cruises' 2026 Around the World journeys may be found here. For additional information on Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.

About simply MOREOceania Cruises offers travelers simply MORE, with virtually everything included in the voyage fare: free roundtrip airfare; free airport transfers; a generous shore excursion credit of up to $1,400 per stateroom to be spent on tours of their choice; and a comprehensive beverage package available during lunch and dinner at onboard restaurants featuring dozens of vintage Champagnes, premium wines and international beers. Created to elevate the guest experience, simply MORE means travelers receive the greatest value in luxury cruising.

About Oceania CruisesOceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visitOceaniaCruises.com.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises

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Oceania Cruises Announces 2026 Around the World Voyage Aboard Its Newest Ship, Vista - PR Newswire

Oceania's newest ship, the Oceania Vista, will sail its first world cruise in 2026, roundtrip out of Miami.

The Vista's 180-day Around the World cruise will visit 101 ports across 43 countries. Bookings open on March 13.

The Vista, which debuted in May of 2023, served as the swan song of the line's founder and now-retired CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Frank Del Rio. He retired shortly after the Vista set sail for the first time in the Med.

Related: First Call aboard the Oceania Vista

The cruise will feature more than 80 Unesco World Heritage sites; 11 overnight stays; complimentary, curated special events onshore; and optional multiday overland programs.

The Vista will depart from Miami on Jan. 6, 2026, to sail the eastern coast of South America and return north along its western coast up to Mexico and California. The ship will reach as far north as San Diego before crossing the Pacific to French Polynesia and Australia, continuing on to Southeast Asia and India.

Related: The new era of world cruising

Current plans also have the Vista passing through the Red Sea and Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean, British Isles and Nordic region before returning to Miami along the U.S. East Coast.

The itinerary assumes the Red Sea will be safe for cruise traffic; attacks on shipping vessels by Houthi militants in Yemen that began late last year have led multiple cruise lines and shipping companies to avoid the region.

Guests will have the option to sail a shorter, 120-day cruise from San Diego to Miami or a longer, 197-day cruise from Los Angeles to Miami.

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The Oceania Vista will sail the world in 2026 - Travel Weekly

Don Opeloge broke records and made a significant move in the Paris 2024 rankings when he won the 102kg title for Samoa at the Oceania Championships in Auckland, New Zealand. Opeloges 175-215-390 was the best ever effort by any Samoan weightlifter on Sinclair points.

Another upward move came from Kiana Elliott from Australia, who finished ahead of her rankings rival Mattie Sasser at 59kg. The news was not so good for Elliotts team-mate Eileen Cikamatana, who bombed out at 81kg.

Opeloge would have gone into eighth place in the rankings if he had not dropped the bar before the down signal on his final attempt at 220kg. He also missed his final snatch attempt on 180kg. Opeloge, 24, broke Commonwealth and Oceania records in snatch and total as he moved level with the athletes ranked ninth and tenth on 390kg.

Im very proud of Don, a humble young man who has worked very hard, said Samoas head coach and federation president Jerry Wallwork. He was very unlucky with that 220. Now the target is 400 in Thailand. Lets hope all goes well with the preparations.

Dan Opeloge (SAM)

Wallwork was referring to the final Olympic qualifier, the IWF World Cup in Phuket which runs fromMarch 31toApril 11.

Elliott and Sasser are both ranked in the top 20 and will go head to head in Phuket for a continental qualifying slot. Sasser, who lifted for Marshall Islands at Rio 2016 and is back with her homeland after a spell competing for the United States, holds the advantage with a best total of 214kg.

Sasser snatched an Oceania record 98kg to lead by 1kg. Elliott turned the tables to win on 97-114-211, an improvement of 3kg in the rankings. She would have gone above Sasser if she had made her final attempt at 118kg.

Ive been told my performance is the second highest Sinclair ever for an Australian female weightlifter, said Elliott, who lifted at the Tokyo Olympics. Thats a huge achievement for me and my coach Martin Harlowe after almost 11 years of investment in my weightlifting career.

Elliott had a good word for the Australian Weightlifting Federation, which recently changed its policy and now allows personal coaches to work with their athletes at international events.

It has had a huge impact on my performance in Qatar (96-112-208) and here in Auckland, said Elliott. I hope to see this ethos continue to drive the sport in Australia. I am absolutely aiming for Paris qualification in Thailand.

Cikamatana remains fifth in the 81kg list on 261kg after failing three times to snatch 113kg. Obviously Eileen was devastated, said her coach Paul Coffa. She will be looking to redeem herself in Phuket. Hayley Whiting from New Zealand won on 92-105-197.

Australia also has a chance of a continental place at 89kg, where Kyle Bruce and Oliver Saxton will also go against each other in Thailand.There was only 1kg between them in snatch, but Saxton bombed out in clean and jerk. Bruce, who won on 147-181-328, holds a 7kg advantage in the rankings.

There will be another Australian head-to-head in the womens 71kg. Jacqueline Nichele, who bombed out on 94kg in the snatch in Auckland, has a 2kg rankings advantage over Sarah Cochrane, who won on 97-112-209.

David Liti from New Zealand made his best total since the Tokyo Olympics when he won the mens super-heavyweights on 177-236-413. Sanele Mao from Samoa bettered 400kg for the first time in second place on 178-230-408, and will try to close the 5kg gap in Phuket.

Iuniarra Sipaia had another good result for Samoa in winning the womens super-heavyweights. Sipaia looks bound for Paris after improving her best qualifying total by 1kg on 110-155-265. She is ninth in the rankings.

Dika Toua (PNG)

Dika Touas attempt to break the all-time record for appearances at the Olympic Games will go down to the wire, too. Toua, from Papua New Guinea, narrowly failed with her final attempts as she won at 49kg to claim her 15thcontinental title.

She made the first lift by a woman at Sydney 2000 aged 16 and is trying to make it to a sixth Games in Paris in August, by which time she will be 40.

On a day when her 13-year-old daughter Ani Guavera won at 40kg and her sister Thelma took the 45kg title, Toua made 70-92-162. She missed her final snatch on 74kg, then easily cleaned 100kg but failed to complete the jerk.

Her total was lower than her best in qualifying and she remains 4kg behind her rival for the continental place at this weight, Rosina Randafiarison from Madagascar.

If she fails to make up the difference in Phuket, Touas hopes will not be dead. She has also applied for a universality slot. Six universality places, chosen by a Tripartite Commission, are available to nations that do not regularly qualify large teams for the Olympic Games.

To complete a memorable day for the most famous weightlifting family in Papua New Guinea, Dikas cousin Morea Baru won the mens 61kg on 112-150-262. He is all but sure of claiming a continental qualifying place for Paris.

There was ninth straight Oceania title for 40-year-old Jenly Wini from Solomon Islands at 55kg and a first for 14-year-old Femily Notte (from Nauru) at 64kg. Notte, who started weightlifting aged eight, made six good lifts in her 90-115-205 to take a sweep of youth, junior and senior titles. That was a 22kg improvement on her total at the World Youth Championships in Albania last year, where she finished sixth.

Another teenage winner wasAvatu Opeloge for Samoa, daughter of the Beijing 2008 silver medallist Ele Opeloge. The 18-year-old made 91-120-211 at 76kg.

Fijis Taniela Rainibogi improved his best qualifying total by 8kg in making 160-205-365 to finish second to Don Opeloge, his friend and often his training partner.

Fijis s younger lifters had a successful time in Auckland, giving evidence that the nations development plans for weightlifting are working well.

Zion Tokona, 16, broke Oceania records in his age group in winning the youth 96kg on 130-148-278. He has been a weightlifter for less than two years. Double gold medallist Miah Elder made 125-137-262, good enough for fourth in the 73kg seniors at the age of 14.

By Brian Oliver

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Oceania Championships: Record-breaking Samoan Opeloge and Australia's Elliott make moves in Olympic rankings - International Weightlifting Federation...

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ABOARD THE CUTTER HARRIET LANE >> It was a hot, humid and cloudy day in the South Pacific as the U.S. Coast Guards Cutter Harriet Lane pulled into port in Apia, Samoa, earlier this month.

It was the second stop for the 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter known as 270s in its new role as the Coast Guards Indo-Pacific Support Cutter devoted to operations in Oceania.

The nearly 40-year-old ship arrived in Hawaii in December after undergoing over a years worth of renovations at a Baltimore shipyard. In January it set sail for its first Pacific deployment, heading south into the high seas where members of its crew boarded fishing vessels to look for signs of illegal fishing.

It had made a quick stop in American Samoa before heading west into Samoan waters, where Lanes crew picked up and worked with Samoan law enforcement officials aboard as ship riders for several days, allowing the Samoans to use Lanes resources and its crew to board fishing vessels within their own jurisdiction through an agreement with the U.S. government.

In Apia, the Lane was supposed to drop off the Samoan ship riders, resupply and send members of its crew shore-side for a series of community service projects and outreach with other Samoan officials.

But as the ship moored at the pier, powerful swells and surf in the harbor raised alarm bells for officers and crew aboard. A storm system was passing through and it could be felt in the seas. The ropes tying the ship to the pier let out audible sounds of strain as the water churned.

Nearby in the port a capsized Chinese fishing vessel offered a vivid visual of what could happen to those who gamble on the oceans power.

Cmdr. Nicole Tesoniero, Lanes captain, ultimately decided the risk was too high to stay in the port.

The ship riders got off and the Lanes cooks and other crews hastily brought on food supplies from the pier to restock the kitchen. Then Tesoniero met with officials with the U.S embassy and explained the potential danger while making new plans on the fly. Lane left as the strain on the ropes reached its peak.

The ship returned to the sea, but stayed nearby. The next day, a handful of crew members left the Lane aboard an over the horizon boat a small inflatable boat the ship uses for interdictions and boardings to return to Apia for a day of classroom exercises with Samoan law enforcement. That night, Lane set sail bound for Suva, Fiji, for a port call there to wait out the stormy weather before picking up Fijian ship riders and resuming operations.

Tesoniero said that its all part of a process of trial and error as the Lane and its crew undertake a mission they never have before. The Lane and the rest of the Coast Guards 270s have a long history in the Caribbean and Latin America doing Drug War missions for which they were designed, along with search-and-rescue operations. Theres a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on whenever a challenge comes along.

But Tesoniero said that in the Pacific were now at the point of everything we do, were the first 270 to ever do it. Its the first 270 to ever cross the international dateline at 40-years-old.

As the Lane traverses the Pacific, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan is also making a series of visits to Pacific Island countries, meeting top officials. The Coast Guard is playing an increasingly key role in Americas Pacific strategy as the U.S. competes with China for influence.

Sustained presence

Tesoniero runs the ship with both a sense of authority and a sense of humor, walking a fine line between being both a commander and shipmate as she leads a relatively small crew. A fully staffed 270 would have a crew of just over 100, but low recruitment and retention mean Lane relies on a revolving door of crew members and Coasties on temporary duty assignments to keep it running.

Over the course of her military career, Tesoniero has navigated both storms at sea on ships as well as the nuances of the halls of political power. She both taught at the Coast Guard Academy and did a stint on the staff of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley at the Pentagon.

Now its her job to lead Lane and its crew on a mission that top officials in Washington hope will breathe new life into Americas Pacific engagement strategy. The Coast Guard has been working to increase its Pacific operations, with a major focus on outreach to Pacific Island nations as well as efforts to clamp down on illegal fishing.

Overfishing has become a hot topic, particularly in Oceania, where fishing vessels from around the world descend on the Pacifics Tuna Belt as fish stocks elsewhere see unprecedented depletion.

Some of the companies operating these vessels have been accused of flouting environmental regulations and underreporting their catches. By some estimates, as many as one in five fish sold in supermarkets may have been caught illegally. In 2020 the Coast Guard declared illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing which maritime agencies call IUU had surpassed high-seas piracy as the top global maritime security threat.

Along with the environmental effects, overfishing has had economic and social consequences at times sparking tension as fishermen from different countries compete for fish stocks. Around the world, fishermen struggling to bring in enough fish have at times turned to piracy, drug smuggling and other criminal enterprises as coastal areas suffer from the fallout.

The Coast Guard has increased its Pacific footprint significantly, replacing old vessels and expanding operations. In 2021 the Coast Guard held a historic triple commissioning ceremony when it brought three new fast-response cutters the Myrtle Hazard, Oliver Henry and Frederick Hatch to Santa Rita, Guam.

Then-Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz, now retired, flew from Washington, D.C., to Guam to preside over the occasion, telling attendees, These FRCs are so capable that we bring expeditionary capability to the region that we havent had before.

The FRCs are relatively small and nimble vessels that aim to replace the Coast Guards previous Island Class patrol boats. Fast and maneuverable, theyre able to visit small Pacific island ports that larger vessels wouldnt fit into.

Capt. Jennifer Conklin, a Hawaii-based officer in charge of the Coast Guards Operation Blue Pacific which Lane is in the region to support said that the FRCs were kind of a game changer, they were just much more capable than our old patrol boats we were really able to maximize that capability.

But the small vessels are also limited in both how far and how long they can operate. While they can island hop, they struggle with sustained operations on the high seas, and a high operation tempo has strained the vessels. Some are in need of serious maintenance soon.

What the Harriet Lane brings is that sustained presence that we really want, said Conklin.

After the Cold War, the U.S. significantly scaled down both its diplomatic and military presence in Oceania to focus on interests elsewhere. But the Coast Guard has remained important, rescuing mariners in distress and doing patrols.

Many Pacific island nations lack navies or coast guards of their own to defend their waters and conduct search-and-rescue missions, and look to countries like the U.S. to help. Fiji, one of the few that does, has only six navy vessels to patrol its vast maritime territory and regularly looks to the U.S. for help.

Lt. Channing Meyer, who worked under Conklin on Operation Blue Pacific and is assigned to the Lane for the deployment, said, Weve always had a presence here as much as we can because the Coast Guard as an agency more closely resembles the needs for Oceania countries than lets say the Navy, Army, Air Force. Were worried about search and rescue, were worried about marine and environmental response like oil spills, and mass rescue operations.

Lanes first Pacific deployment will ultimately see it traverse Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia, with port calls along the way, before it finally returns to Hawaii in April. It is expected to return to sea again this summer.

If I were a lieutenant, this would be my first choice for an assignment, Conklin said.

A stop gap

While the Lane is the latest Coast Guard cutter assigned to the Pacific, its also the services oldest in the region. The aging 270s werent meant for Pacific operations, and several crew members said that while the upgrades in Baltimore have made it possible for the Lane to make the voyage, the Pacifics vast distances push the platform to its limits.

One crew member said, So much was done on it and you still worry something is going to (expletive) explode.

But other crew members say they feel a deep connection to the ship. One crew member that works in the engineering section said, Ive put a lot of work into her, so I kind of have to.

The Coast Guard also has two Legend-class National Security Cutters based in Hawaii. Theyre among the services largest and most advanced cutters, equipped with drones and advanced sensors. They have been deploying in the Western Pacific and up near Alaska, where they have operated in disputed waters standing off with Russian and Chinese forces and supporting the U.S. Navy.

But Tesoniero said that the smaller Lane is better suited for the relationship-building effort the Coast Guard seeks in Oceania and argued that in the region, in a lot of senses, I think there there probably is something that comes with seeing a ship thats a little bit more weathered and looks the part of being 40 years old instead of something with sleek outlines.

Still, she said that ultimately the Lane is a stop gap until the service can send a newer, better medium-size ship to the Pacific.

Its great that a 40-year-old ship can do it, (but) I think thats 100% on the backs of the crew, because of their desire to keep the ship in the condition that it is, Tesoniero said.

The Coasties that operate the cutters are also facing challenges as demand grows in the Pacific. While Coast Guard brass said in early 2023 said they hoped to triple Pacific deployments in coming years, by December 2023 top commanders announced that low recruitment and retention meant they would have to close several stations and take several cutters off line due to a lack of personnel. That puts more work on those that remain.

The officers and crew work hard to keep up morale on the Lane. Tesoniero hosts regular trivia nights and other crew members host varied activities from karaoke and bingo to Dungeons & Dragons. They also have occasional ice cream socials, though one crew member commented after the Apia port call was cancelled that if you havent noticed yet, whenever something bad happens, we get ice cream.

As China makes inroads in the Pacific, U.S. officials have been trying to hastily reinvest in the region. Officials said they hope to see the Lane host a range of experts on board as it travels the region, to include civilians from other agencies to meet requests from Pacific island countries.

I think thats where we have the advantages, you know, a willingness to dialogue and gain perspective on what the ask is, and then try and bring that to the table the best we can, said Tesoniero. From an organizational standpoint, we need to just throw everything we have into saying Harriet Lane is unique to this region, shes going to fill out this mission, (and) were going to equip it with the right people and the resources to make that happen.

We have to find what our niche down here is, and I do think its being able to work with these small countries that American society as a whole may be a little bit more ignorant towards, and just share that, look, its not just a big blue space on the map, Tesoniero said.

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Hawaii-based 'Indo-Pacific Support Cutter' focused on Oceania is on its first Pacific deployment - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

FIFA have introduced a set of friendly matches between confederations, with Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu taking part in the first edition. The international body confirm to FiO it will cover the travel and accommodation costs.

The newly announced FIFA Series will see teams from each of the six confederations take part, with the two OFC representatives playing against three teams theyve never met before.

In Sri Lanka, PNG will face the hosts as well as Asias Bhutan and Africas Central African Republic when the friendlies kick off in the international window in March.

Vanuatu will travel to Saudi Arabia to play Brunei from Asia, Bermuda from the Caribbean and African nation Guinea, who just reached the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations in January.

The first edition of the FIFA Series will take place from 18 to 26 March, with future instalments planned to take place during every March international match window of even years.

FIFA believes that the FIFA Series are a great opportunity to enable member associations which do not have regular opportunities to play against teams from other confederations to do so. Consequently, the main objective of the FIFA Series is to contribute to the development of football on the pitch within those member associations, FIFA tells Football in Oceania.

Travelling to these friendlies can be expensive for the smaller nations, but FIFA assure they will cover the cost of transportation and hotel for teams.

Each nation will get travel and accommodation covered for a delegation of 35, including both players and staff. Should a team wish to bring more than 35 people along, FIFA will not cover the additional costs.

The main benefit of the FIFA Series is on the pitch as these matches provide teams which normally dont have the opportunity to play intercontinental friendlies to do so. FIFA will provide a contribution to the participating Member Associations, which represents an additional benefit, FIFA says.

Asked how the nations that are participating were selected, FIFA responded:

The FIFA Series was announced by the FIFA Council in December 2022 and immediately drew significant attention from FIFA Member Associations. This project was naturally appealing to those MAs who were available and had no prior friendly or qualification commitments for March 2024 international window and these discussions through our MA division led to the line-up which was announced Monday.

These are the FIFA Series hosts and participants:

Algeria (CAF) Andorra (UEFA) Bolivia (CONMEBOL) South Africa (CAF)

Azerbaijan (UEFA) Bulgaria (UEFA) Mongolia (AFC) Tanzania (CAF)

Cabo Verde (CAF) Cambodia (AFC) Equatorial Guinea (CAF) Guyana (Concacaf)

Bermuda (Concacaf) Brunei Darussalam (AFC) Guinea (CAF) Vanuatu (OFC)

Bhutan (AFC) Central African Republic (CAF) Papua New Guinea (OFC) Sri Lanka (AFC)

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PNG and Vanuatu to participate in inaugural FIFA Series - Football in Oceania

Port Moresby (Agenzia Fides) - After the serious massacre in which a total of 64 people fell victim in the last few days in the province of Enga, near the town of Wabag, 600 kilometers northwest of the capital Port Moresby, there is now fear of an escalation of the tribal conflict in Papua New Guinea. The incident occurred on February 18 in the remote village of Akom and is, according to authorities, the largest massacre in recent months. The incident is part of clashes between rival tribes (the Sikin and Kaekin tribes) in the gold-rich Enga province, an area where land disputes are becoming increasingly heated and where clashes are becoming increasingly deadly due to the significantly increased availability of firearms. The country's Prime Minister James Marape is considering declaring a state of emergency to end ongoing fighting and hostilities. Marape said he intended to introduce a law to "strengthen the jurisdiction of security forces to intervene in acts of domestic terrorism." Meanwhile, security forces have already launched "targeted operations" in Enga to restore order, while police officers have the right to "use the necessary level of force to prevent further violence and reprisals." The UN human rights office, meanwhile, called on the government to "take immediate action to address the causes of the violence and work towards mutual recognition among highland communities." The office is calling for "the surrender of all weapons, especially firearms" to counter the escalation of violence. Although tribal fighting has historically been common in remote areas of Papua New Guinea, violence in Enga has increased over the past year. According to observers, a kind of "guerrilla war" has broken out, largely due to the illegal influx of weapons, and there is a risk of contagion in neighboring groups and areas, also due to the presence of mercenaries hired (and paid) from outside to support the parties to the conflict. The government has tried to contain the violence through repression and mediation, but so far has had little success. The army had deployed around 100 soldiers in the region, but the effect of this measure was limited. Italian missionary Fr. Giorgio Licini, secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, explains: "Clashes between ancestral indigenous groups - some of which had their first contact with the outside world only 70 years ago - can have various reasons, but above all, they depend on control of the territory, which is very strong in their traditional culture. These tensions are then maintained by members of this group who have emigrated to the city, settled there, and can send weapons or pay mercenaries. These are remote inland, rural or forest areas with high illiteracy rates, characterized by cultural and social backwardness and where, for example, witchcraft practices and even the hunting of women considered witches are in force", the missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) continued. "In such situations - argues the missionary - little can be done from outside; the only effective path is that of dialogue on site, betweenvillage leaders, involving respected personalities, religious leaders, including Christians, and civil leaders: that is the only way we try to create a network of dialogue between indigenous groups and prevent violence". "In the past, the situation between these groups was more stable because there was less mobility and therefore less potential for conflict, affirms Father Licini. Today, with mobility and globalization, everything is more chaotic, we are in a phase of transition between the ancient culture and a new identity, which however is not yet firmly and clearly defined. The PIME missionary illustrates the three levels of life and social organization in Papua New Guinea: "The first is the tribal society, an ancestral reality; the second is the presence of churches of various denominations, which have an extensive network of schools and social institutions; the third is that of the modern state, which is particularly noticeable in the cities". The nation is in a period of transition where these three levels meet, and in this process of difficult cultural, social and economic upheaval, violence occurs. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 26/2/2024)

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OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Escalation is feared after tribal conflict: The only way to avoid it is on-site dialogue - Agenzia Fides