PINA

Kiribati reported 222 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total positive infections to 2,173. The omicron variant is now widespread in the community as cases continue to be recorded on South Tarawa, Betio, Buota, Butaritari island and in North Tarawa. The health ministry has confirmed that a 65-year-old woman who previously had a stroke has been admitted to an isolation...

Locals’ access to skipjack purse-seine tuna fishery of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) has increased. The 2020 tuna fisheries assessment report, conducted by the Pacific Community (SPC), shows that more than half the vessels in the skipjack purse-seine fishery are flagged to or chartered by the small island developing states (SIDS). SPC senior fisheries scientist Steven Hare summarises the...

U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Fiji on Saturday to reassure Pacific island leaders that Washington and its allies are committed to providing security and COVID vaccines, as China steps up its aid and influence in the region. Blinken's Fiji visit, the first by a secretary of state in four decades, follows a meeting that will take place...

Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has confirmed that a total of 20 new positive COVID-19 cases have been recorded Wednesday. This is an increase from the 14 cases announced Tuesday. That means Tonga now has 34 COVID-19 cases since 01 February and 35 in total since the first case was reported late 2021. The new cases are close contacts of earlier cases...

A team of workers from Elon Musk's SpaceX are in Fiji trying to re-establish full internet communications in Tonga, with a Starlink broadband connection. Starlink uses satellites to connect remote areas to the internet. It came 25 days after Tonga lost all communications when its Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted, severing its undersea cable. Gorilla Technology chief executive Paul Spain told Morning...

The Government of Japan has formalised two grant agreements, worth $300 million Japanese Yen (FJD$6 million) funding to the Government of Fiji through Japan’s Economic Social Development Programme (ESDP). The funding assistance will enable the procurement of heavy machinery equipment for Fisheries, Agriculture and Waterways. The provisions of heavy machinery will be utilised in post-disaster recovery, rehabilitation and ultimately support...

A maiden season for a Super Rugby expansion side is challenging in the best of circumstances. But for the Fijian Drua, a global pandemic has added several layers of complexity as they prepare for their historic season opener against the NSW Waratahs in Parramatta on February 18. COVID-19 roadblocks meant the Drua - who played in Australia's National Rugby Championship before...

Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium to be Drua’s first ever home venue in Round 3 against Rebels and will also be Round 8 venue against Brumbies. Leichhardt Oval in Sydney confirmed as venue for Round 5 match against Western Force. Tickets for Suncorp Stadium match against Melbourne Rebels on 04 March and Leichhardt Oval match against Western Force on sale from Friday...

Toutai Kefu has welcomed the extra layer of funding and awareness the Super Rugby Pacific season will provide to ensure Tonga's plight isn't forgotten. January's volcanic eruption sent a tsunami crashing onto Tonga's coastline, causing widespread damage which only got worse when the falling ash settled. Almost 90 per cent of Tonga's 86,000 residents are said to be affected and now...

Taniela Tupou has cheekily challenged Rugby Australia to “show me the money” as the rampaging Queensland Reds prop switches gears and begins to ponder his future. The ultra-talented Wallabies prop admits he's yet to flick into 100 percent rugby mode less than a fortnight out from the Super Rugby Pacific season. But he has reason to be distracted, the Tongan product...