PINA

Two people arriving in Palau on 15 August tested positive for Covid-19, the nation’s Ministry of Health and Human Services stated. These mark the nation’s first positive active cases of the virus. Ritter Udui, MHHS incident commander, confirmed that both travelers flew in from Guam. However, she was waiting to be briefed on their point of origin. “We’ve started contact tracing and...

Samoa's Attorney General, Savalenoa Mareva Betham-Annandale, and the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Tiatia Graeme Tualaulelei, were each suspended from their duties as of 20 August. They have been suspended for two weeks, until Friday 03 September 2021. “The Attorney General has been suspended from her post, on the basis that I have formed a preliminary view that I do not...

By Sanjeshni Kumar While holding out hope, Pacific Islanders have no choice but to endure the impacts of climate change. Although they have done little to contribute to global warming, people in low-lying Pacific islands fear that their nations may no longer be habitable or even exist within this century as they may face some of the dire consequences of...

Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa says that the world can still determine the future course of climate change and limit its effects, after a report forecast a devastating future for a world warming faster than expected. The British High Commission in Samoa had hosted a pre-COP26 event on Friday at which Mata’afa said Samoa has prioritised climate change as...

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,”...