PINA

Papua New Guinea reported 288 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours raising its cumulative total confirmed cases to 25,356. These new cases were reported from 10 provinces of which Western Highlands Province(WHP)reported the highest of 122; followed by NCD (73); Morobe (45); Central (15); West New Britain (14); Eastern Highlands (11); Western (2); Madang (2); Hela (2);...

Papua New Guinea’s Port Moresby General Hospital(PMGH) is reaching a crisis point, with services teetering on collapse unless they are immediately given more support. “We urgently need additional resources to combat the current surge, and we also need the public to follow the Nuipla Pasin to help break the transmission of the virus,” PMGH said in a statement. The situation at...

Fiji's Ministry of Health has recorded 25 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday. Another 39 new cases have been recorded for the 19th of October. Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said in the past seven days, 181 cases were recorded in the central division, 82 new cases in the western division, 16 new cases in the Eastern division and 6...

There have been many allegations leveled against the Papua New Guinea disciplinary forces over the years, alleging that police and soldiers sell firearms. However, Papua New Guinea Defence Force(PNGDF) Commander Major General Gilbert Toropo has denied this saying that all firearms are inspected and are accounted for on a fortnightly basis. He said that they have a system in place to...

The Government of the People’s Republic of China Wednesday provided an annual funding contribution of US$1.08 million to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat under the China – Pacific Islands Forum Cooperation Fund. In a virtual ceremony, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna, welcomed the funding contribution from Qian Bo, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China...

Opinion by Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji The upcoming COP26 UN summit in Glasgow must secure serious collective action to address the climate crisis. Failure could spell the loss of entire low-lying Pacific nations, and we can only fail if we shirk our responsibilities. We have reasons to be hopeful. Momentum for action is growing. Since the Fijian presidency...

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many challenges in our sea of islands, but it has also presented us the opportunity to build on our strengths-which lie very much in our kinship and relational ties as well as our ability to live off our land and sea. If anything, the pandemic has highlighted our need to continue to reflect on...

The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog has said other states could follow Australia’s example and seek to build nuclear-powered submarines, raising serious proliferation and legal concerns. Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said during a visit to Washington that he had sent a special team to look into the safety and legal implications...

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), CEO John O’Connor today confirmed that he has received numerous queries regarding the status and involvement of Flying Fijians Head Coach Vern Cotter following the announcement Tuesday of the Flying Fijians 28-member squad, coaching panel and the management staff for the November tour. O’Connor reiterates that Coach Cotter remains the Head Coach of Flying Fijians...

The Fijian Drua, Super Rugby’s newest franchise, have today unveiled a distinct new brand identity, paying homage to the origins of the franchise name. The brand identity features the stylised version of the iconic drua, the renowned and powerful traditional Fijian sea vessel. The brandmark connects the franchise to its roots and symbolises the journey the Fijian Drua has embarked...