PINA

Despite a weakening economic growth forecast for the Pacific, recent progress in vaccination rollouts and stronger public health measures are providing optimism for the safe reopening of borders in the near term, according to the latest issue of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Pacific Economic Monitor (PEM) launched today. After a pandemic-induced contraction of 5.8 percent in 2020, the economies...

African countries, many of which are heavily reliant on mining, have criticised a move by the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru to fast-track international negotiations over deep-sea mining, an industry that could hurt their economies. Nauru last month set a two-year deadline for rules governing deep-sea mining in international waters to be finalised. Nauru triggered the so-called “two-year rule”,...

Fiji has recorded 1,057 new COVID-19 cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths reported Wednesday. The permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr James Fong said 44 of the new cases are from the Western Division and 913 cases from the Central Division in Vitilevu, Fiji's main island. He said the 12 COVID-deaths were reported between 24-27 July. Dr Fong indicated seven...

Fiji secured their second successive men’s Olympic rugby sevens gold medal as they beat New Zealand 27-12 in a thrilling gold medal match at Tokyo Stadium. The defending champions raced into a 12-0 lead against the All Blacks Sevens as Meli Derenalagi and Sireli Maqala touched down in the opening three minutes. Scott Curry crossed for his fifth try of the...

French President Emmanuel Macron promised transparency around decades of nuclear tests in French Polynesia and changes to compensation procedures on Tuesday when he stopped to talk to a group of protesters on his first official trip to the territory. Macron, who began his visit on Saturday, has previously signalled he will address the legacy of French testing in the South...

By Iliesa Tora Pacific Island heads of states and fisheries ministers have agreed that more needs to be done to protect our oceans from ongoing threats and exploitation. The ministers made this commitment at the 5th France-Oceania Summit, which was held virtually on 19 July from Papeete in Tahiti. French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke at the meeting, informing members that...

As Fiji continues to battle a spiralling outbreak, its government has directed asymptomatic health staff who have tested positive to COVID-19 to keep working. In a letter circulated by the Ministry of Health, those infected staff have been asked to continue their work in COVID safe "bubbles" without elaboration. Health workers who are primary or secondary contacts of COVID patients have...

New Zealand and Fiji will meet in the gold medal match of the men’s Olympic sevens tournament at Tokyo 2020. The All Blacks Sevens, who finished fifth at Rio 2016, made sure of their place in the medal final with an impressive 29-7 defeat of Great Britain in the semi-finals. New Zealand dominated possession for most of the match and led...

Fijian Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has rejected three petitions against the iTaukei Land Trust Amendment Bill. Three separate petitions were filed by SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka, Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya, and MP Jese Saukuru, calling for Bill 17 to be withdrawn. Ratu Epeli informed the House the Bill was introduced, along with the 2021/2022 National Budget, a majority of...

by Nick Rogers and Richard Reinen-Hamill With a resolution to Samoa's election crisis seemingly reached, several Pacific experts have set out how the country may be able to avoid a repeat in future More than three months after a nail-biting election contest, the people of Samoa finally know the identity of their next government. April’s contest left Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono...