PINA

The Tongan Police Drugs Enforcement Taskforce has arrested five people relating to the washed-up cocaine in Vava’u. The Taskforce raided three residences last night, two in Vava’u and the third in Tongatapu. A 28-year-old male was arrested together with his 30-year-old wife and a 61-year-old male from a home in Ha’alaufuli along with five packages of cocaine. They have been charged...

Climate change is driving tuna further to the east, threatening the economic security of several small island nations Global warming is expected to progressively push tuna populations from the waters of 10 Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) into the high seas, disrupting island economies, according to a new collaborative study by Conservation International and a consortium of technical agencies,...

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...