PINA

Positive COVID-19 infections in Kadavu, South of Fiji has increased with 85 new cases reported among the country’s 303 new cases announced Sunday. The Western division has also reported increased infection numbers, accounting for 185 cases and 33 in the Central division. Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr James Fong also announced five COVID deaths that were reported from 19-22 August...

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has announced a cabinet reshuffle to strengthen the government's commitment to improve the reach and accessibility of government services and deliver on its suite of people-centric policies under the 2021-2022 national budget. Rosy Akbar will reassume the portfolio of Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, a role she held from 2014-2016. Premila Kumar will be the Minister...

The New Zealand Government says it remains concerned by the ongoing management and governance challenges at the University of the South Pacific(USP). Last week the Fijian Government announced it wouldn't pay its multi-million grant to the university while the current vice chancellor Pal Ahluwalia remained at his post. It has called for another investigation after an earlier one revealed significant abuses...

Due to the surge of the deadly COVID-19 delta variant strain globally and in Solomon Islands neighbouring countries, the need to test and sharpen its preparation and response plans is pertinent in preparation for limited re-opening of flights. Cabinet has approved the trial of the revised lock-down plan for the Honiara Emergency Zone through a 36-hour lockdown from 6pm on...

Four Pacific Island nations have been forced to withdraw from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it has been confirmed. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced that Samoa, Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu will no longer compete at the Games which are due to start on Tuesday (24 August). The news comes five days...

A sign of the times -- the United Nations releasing a watershed climate report warning of more devastating environmental consequences if major action isn’t taken now. Micronesian leaders on the frontlines are speaking on the issue. “Unlike other states, and countries, people from all nations have nowhere to retreat to the ocean is at our backyard, literally about frontlines as well,”...

The findings of the IPCC’s sixth report represent a clear condemnation of humanity’s reckless abuse of the planet and a dire warning about the consequences of failing to drastically cut carbon emissions. Every Pacific Islander should read –– or at least, review –– this report. It is compiled by a panel of 234 authors and endorsed by 195 nations. It...

Fiji’s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum in 2006 demonstrated that geopolitical influences had an influence on the decisions made by the Forum, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told Parliament on Wednesday. He said despite the two coups, despite five years of decree-led Government, Fiji was not suspended from the Forum. “Despite the Prime Minister of Fiji at that...

Covid vaccinations for commercial fishermen are being ramped up and expanded, following preparations involving multiple government agencies in the Marshall Islands over the past two weeks. The Marshall Islands became the first nation in the Pacific islands to offer Covid vaccinations for fishermen on longline and purse seine vessels when it started in June in Majuro. But after vaccinating 312 fishermen...

Vanuatu leader of Opposition, Ralph Regenvanu has urged Australia not to grow kava. “I wish to say to Australia, our friend, don’t grow kava,” MP Regenvanu said. “Do not allow kava to grow in Australia commercially, make it illegal but make it legal for us to export Vanuatu kava to you. That is the request of Vanuatu and other Pacific Islands.” He...