PINA

A combination of factors, including misinformation that the pandemic is over, the lifting of mask mandates, ending physical distancing - and a more transmissible Omicron BA.2 variant - are causing an increase of COVID-19 cases globally, the World Health Organisation warned on Wednesday. “After several weeks of declines, reported cases of COVID-19 are once again increasing globally, especially in parts...

The deputy secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum Dr Filimon Manoni has noted with ‘great interest’ the inclusion of the Forums planned Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) in discussions on debt for climate. At a joint ESCAP and PIFS workshop on debt for climate on Wednesday, the deputy SG for the Pacific Islands Forum stressed the fund, or Pacific Resilience...

Three more cabinet ministers tested positive for COVID-19, confirmed the Minister for Health Wednesday. They include the Minister for Internal Affairs Sangstar Saulala, Minister for Foreign Affairs Fekitamoelao 'Utoikamanu, and the Minister for Justice and Prisons Samiu Vaipulu. Minister for Health, Dr Saia Piukala confirmed he is currenlty in self-isolation and has tested negative so far for COVID-19. He said he is...

Maritime Cook Islands has confirmed a Cook Islands-registered yacht linked to a Russian oligarch has been sanctioned by the Treasury of the United States. The sanction, reported by an American political website the Hill.com, included an Aruba-registered jet and a Cook Islands-registered yacht, both worth around US$90 million, belonging to Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg with an estimated net worth exceeding...

Simple mathematical errors and a hesitancy to open the wallet are just the beginning of the world’s climate problems. By Anthony Burke Last month, another major report on the state of the world’s environment was published – a new assessment from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with the dry title of “Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability”. Based on 34,000 studies,...

The Pacific has called for more recognition of the critical role of women and girls in climate resilience, at the opening plenary sessions of the Sixty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Under the theme, 'Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk...

Papua New Guinea Police have made a startling revelation that firearms for the National Elections security operations have yet to be purchased. Deputy Police Commissioner Anton Billie says the firearms might not be procured and received by the time the election writs are issued on 28 April and when nominations and campaigns start in earnest. “We haven’t purchased anything yet. I’ve...

Russia must immediately suspend military operations in Ukraine, the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Wednesday, in The Hague. By a vote of 13 to two, with Vice-President Kirill Gevorgian of Russia and Judge Xue Hanqin of China dissenting, the ICJ ruled that Russia “shall immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on 24 February.” The court’s ruling...

Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Mataele Tei has thanked the ‘Pacific Family’ for the assistance rendered to Tonga in the past six weeks, following the devastation caused by the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcanic eruption and tsunami on 15 January. Tei was speaking at the farewell ceremony for members of the Australia Defence Force (ADF), Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and the...

Some seasonal workers are alleging that their employers are eating into their salaries with hidden deductions after receiving on $100 (US$72) for a week's worth of work on Australian farms. A Senate Committee inquiry has been investigating their working conditions, and is expected to table a report at the end of the month. Samoan-Australian Lieta Sauiluma-Duggan is an advocate for seasonal...