PINA

By Lagi Keresoma The year 2021 is already down in Samoa’s modern history as when some compelling political events occurred. But significantly, when a party that has been in power for 36 years refuses to give up power after the general elections and ‘red herrings’ were thrown in the way and causing a three months long political crisis. The barely year...

Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa says criticism by the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party(HRPP) against the judiciary is due to his refusal to vacate office, nothing more. HRPP leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi has continued to criticise the Court claiming that their recent decision destroyed the Constitution. He has called for a car convoy...

Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Jimmy Rodgers warns Solomon Islands could be seriously affected by the delta variant of COVID-19 than the current situation in Fiji if all who are eligible do not get vaccinated. Dr Rodgers made the assurance when he participated in a talk back show via zoom from Fiji. He said the delta variant of COVID-19 is...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has warned the media that the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.2) Regulations 2021 has provisions relating to Yellow Journalism. Speaking in Parliament on the motion to extend the State of Public Emergency by a further four months in Parliament Thursday, Prime Minister Sogavare said, the rationale for having this provision is to ensure that individuals...

A senior official with the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the need for a global treaty on pandemic preparedness and response, urging countries to “seize the moment” and support its development. Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the agency’s Emergencies Programme, delivered opening remarks at a UN General Assembly meeting on Wednesday where ambassadors were briefed by the Independent...

Fiji has recorded 1,301 new cases of COVID-19 and 9 death Thursday. Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said 293 cases are from the Western division and 1008 cases are from the Central division in Vitilevu, Fiji’s main island. He said there have been 245 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 20,200 active...

The COVID-19 crisis is not going to end in October even if Fiji achieves its vaccination target, says National Federation Party(NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad. During a debate on the 2021-2022 Appropriation Bill in Parliament on Monday, he said people would continue to fall ill and lives would continue to be lost even if inoculation targets were met. He also said...

By Kiley Price Despite their small size, Pacific Island nations and territories are a powerhouse in the fishing industry, contributing more than a third of the global tuna catch. However, the tide could soon turn for these islands — and not for the better. Fueled by greenhouse gas emissions, ocean warming will alter the habitats of tuna, causing these fish to...

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Tokyo While Fiji’s gold medallist Olympian sevens team get on the long nine hours’ flight back home, hours after their historic win in Tokyo against rival New Zealand, the international media at Tokyo 2020 are still abuzz with the spectacular finish, the emotion and humility of the players after the final whistle at Tokyo...

Today, the European Union and the Cook Islands agreed to continue their successful fisheries partnership as part of the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement (SFPA), for a duration of three years. The agreement allows EU fishing vessels operating in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean to continue fishing in the Cook Islands fishing grounds. Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries,...