PINA

By Ronald Toito'ona The Noro Port in the Western province of Solomon Islands has become the first e-port in the Pacific region, after launching a digitally integrated catch documentation and traceability scheme on 24 June. The launch was a landmark for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), the local tuna industry, customs and health departments – it is the...

-Fiji has recorded 918 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths reported. Permanent secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said that out of the 15 deaths, 12, or 80 per cent were those that were not vaccinated whereas the remaining three had been partially vaccinated. Seven additional deaths during the same period were attributed to non-COVID illnesses. “The first COVID-19 death...

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says there are no easy ways around this COVID-19 pandemic. “We have to meet it head-on, and we are,” Bainimarama said in Suva while receiving more than 150,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the U.S Government. He said Fijian frontline workers had been working tirelessly and selflessly in hospitals, homes, offices and informal settlements...

-Vaccine rollout in Solomon Islands and across the Pacific is critical to economic recovery. And Australia is leading efforts to vaccinate countries in the region with its vaccine dose supply expected to reach one million by the end of next week. Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja told Pacific journalists this week that his government is committed...

The Samoa Law Society (SLS) Vice President has responded to comments made by caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who has called for younger members of the Society to be reprimanded for dishonoring the Head of State by questioning his powers. During an interview with TV3, Tuilaepa said office bearers of SLS were young and naive ‘faafiapoko and the professional...

The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) has announced the re-election of its President, Dr Robin Mitchell of Fiji into the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for another four-year term. His new term is from 2021 to 2024. The election was part of the second day of the IOC Meeting in Tokyo that concluded Wednesday, ahead of...

New variants of the Covid-19 virus will make it hard for countries like Cook Islands to achieve herd immunity, says a leading Pacific health expert. Herd immunity is no guarantee, says Doctor Collin Tukuitonga from the University of Auckland. “The problem with herd immunity, it’s not like you get to this per cent and everybody is sweet,” said Dr Tukuitonga. “Herd immunity...

The people of Bougainville must be ready to embrace the sweeping political changes the Autonomous Bougainville Government has undertaken as it prepares for political independence. President Ishmael Toroama made this statement during the launching of the Bougainville Independence Ready Mission Implementation initiative in the Tsitalato Constituency. “Change is imminent on Bougainville. The government has set a course for reform and change...

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Member for Nissan Constituency Charry Napto is among seven other passengers reported missing out in the sea since Saturday. Napto was recently sworn in as the new ABG Health Minister after the death of ABG Atolls MP late Raymond Masono. ABG Disaster and Emergency director John Imaka reported a missing boat since last week Saturday with seven...

Two Fijian pregnant women are among the 21 COVID-19 deaths reported within a seven-day period from 14 July. Their babies, however, were saved via a caesarean operation by the obstetric team. Ministry of Health and Medical Services permanent secretary Dr James Fong revealed this Wednesday as he announced the country’s 1, 091 COVID-19 positive cases. He said the 21 COVID-19 deaths were...