PINA

The Fijian Government on 04 October will roll out the digital VAX-Check tool, which will be made available to all workplaces, tertiary institutions, houses of worship, hotels, restaurants, cafés, cinemas, gyms, pools and tattoo parlours allowing them to open at 70 percent capacity, but only to fully-vaccinated persons. From Monday 20 September 2021, cinemas, gyms, tattoo parlours, salon/spa can apply...

A medical doctor working at Daru Hospital in Papua New Guinea became the latest death due to COVID-19 reported in less than two weeks. The doctor was medevaced to Port Moresby last Tuesday when she suffered severe distress and sadly she succumbed to the disease at the weekend. Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom conveyed his condolences...

Republic of Fiji Military Forces(RFMF) Commander, Brigadier General Jone Kalouniwai says national security is no longer just about the traditional threats. The new Army Commander said non-traditional threat are a new area he will need some focus on. Kalouniwai who is also part of the National Security Secretariat with the Ministry of Defence said this has helped him understand non-traditional threats...

The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (IMR) is being prepared to conduct genomic sequencing of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) test beginning next month, National Pandemic Response Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom says. “We need to speed up tests and results for a better response to the pandemic. Speed matters for us to be able to know the actual status...

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama today launched the school vaccination programme and rollout of the Moderna vaccine for children aged 15 years to 17 years, a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, and Ministry of Communication. According to the Prime Minister, Fiji is the safest it has been since April thanks...

The Fijian Drua has today unveiled the first five players signed by the Club for its debut Super Rugby Pacific season in 2022. Electric backline utility Napolioni Bolaca, Flying Fijians’ hooker Tevita Ikanivere, blockbusting winger Onisi Ratave, powerful loose forward Nemani Nagusa and rising star halfback Simione Kuruvoli are onboard for Super Rugby Pacific’s newest side. The five also attained the...

The Pacific Oceania men's tennis team is celebrating a Davis Cup promotion that's been almost a decade in the making. The regional team beat Syria on Saturday to clinch promotion from Asia Oceania Group Three, alongside Hong Kong and Vietnam. They'll contest the Davis Cup World Group Two Play-offs in February for one of 12 spots in the main draw. Cook Islands...

Rich countries will continue to miss a longstanding pledge to provide poor countries with US$100bn a year in climate finance for the next four years, new analysis suggests on the eve of a crunch meeting of world leaders at the UN on Monday. The promised cash is seen as essential to gaining support from developing countries for a global climate...

Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander, Brigadier General Jone Kalouniwai says instilling discipline in soldiers is at the top of his agenda. Speaking to FBC News Kalouniwai said he will implement a modernisation plan in the RFMF during his five-year term. The new Commander wants changes in staff professionalism saying he is overwhelmed with what is to come. “I think if I...

By Christopher Knaus In the pre-dawn light, beneath a water tower on the West Papuan island of Biak, Yudha Korwa lay bleeding in the dirt. Four days earlier, the young high school student, full of hope in post-Suharto, Reformasi Indonesia, had joined hundreds of other independence activists to fly the Morning Star, the banned West Papuan flag, near Biak’s harbour. Now...