PINA

As scientists continue to investigate the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday urged countries not to panic but to prepare for its likely spread. Heralding South Africa’s and Botswana’s decision to report the appearance of the Omicron coronavirus mutation last month, the UN health agency repeated that it will take another two weeks before more...

A group of citizens in New Caledonia has asked France's highest administrative court to postpone next Sunday's third and final independence referendum. In an urgent submission, 146 voters and three organisations said given the impact of the pandemic, it is unthinkable to proceed with such an important plebiscite. They said because of the lockdown, campaigning has been unduly hampered as basic...

Scientists have discovered marine animals living on plastic debris in an area of the open ocean dubbed "the Great Pacific Garbage Patch". Many of the creatures are coastal species, living miles from their usual habitats, on a patch halfway between the coast of California and Hawaii. Plants and animals, including anemones, tiny marine bugs, molluscs, and crabs, were found on 90%...

In a large building overlooking the sea in Kingston, Jamaica, national members of a little-known international organisation are meeting for contentious talks that could open up the planet’s deep seabed to mining as soon as July 2023. The ocean floor is rich in mineral deposits, which could provide raw materials to manufacture batteries for electric cars, solar panels, and wind...

Last month’s riots has put the nation on a “development in reverse” trajectory, according to the Solomon Islands Central Bank (CBSI), which released an updated assessment on the cost of damage Friday, 03 December. “The extent of the adverse impact on the economy is extensive and estimated to have reached SB$534 million (US$66m), up from the SB$227 million (US$28m) initially...

The Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) says 58,712 of its members have zero balance in their accounts. This, according to the FNPF’s 2021 annual report tabled in Parliament last Thursday. The fund said 7196 members between the ages of 50-54 years had zero balance while 6905 between 45-49 had no money at FNPF. FNPF said 10,780 members between the ages of 35-44...

By Damian Mutton and Narelle Wilson Scenes of political unrest have become increasingly common in the Solomon Islands, however current reports of rioting, destruction, and hard-line response have come as a surprise to some commentators. In contrast, those familiar with the geo-politics of the region have been warning of this for some time, stating “when, not if.” It has been increasingly...

Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced that the Cook Islands has it’s first positive case of COVID-19. A passenger on Thursday repatriation flight who tested clear of the virus on 30 November (NZT), returned a weak positive when tested late yesterday evening (Day Zero Test). The case is a 10 year-old child travelling with his mother and two siblings. The mother...

The head of Angolan diplomacy, Téte António has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to host the 10th summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) in 2022. In a statement, Minister Téte António said that holding the summit in Luanda is one of the priorities of the presidency of the Council of...

  It will now be the third week of December at the earliest before Tongans find out who their new leader will be. Voters went to the polls on 18 November to elect 17 People's Representatives with the nobles choosing nine from their cohort. Ever since there has been a period of intense horse-trading, from which the caretaker prime minister, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa,...