In the same year that the government declared a climate emergency, imports of an especially dirty type of coal from Indonesia topped a million tonnes for the first time since 2006. Last year, 235 kilograms of overseas coal was imported for every New Zealander in order to power homes and businesses. This is also only imported coal; the country also produces coal domestically. Ninety-two percent of the imported coal was from Indonesia, and the vast majority of that was a low grade, high emissions type – sub-bituminous coal. “Not only are we burning more coal, [but] it’s the dirtiest coal.…
Author: PNG Haus Bung
Australia will deploy a second medical team to Fiji today following advice from their experts who are currently working with the Ministry of Health in Suva. The multi-disciplinary team consisting of 17 personnel from Australia and New Zealand will be in Suva for 28 days where the team will partner with our local authorities to strengthen infection prevention and control at healthcare facilities. They will also support the Fijian emergency medical assistance team to establish temporary surge healthcare facilities for the rapidly growing demand. In a statement, the Australian Government says they will also provide three fully-equipped ambulances, oxygen equipment,…
Fiji has reported 647 new cases of Covid-19 and one death in the 24-hour period that ended at 8am yesterday. That compares to 873 cases and three deaths in the previous 24-hour update. The Health Ministry also announced last night a 58-year-old man from Delaivalelevu had died at home. The man’s family reported that he had been feeling unwell for one week. Health Secretary James Fong said the man had received his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in mid-June but was yet to get the second jab when he died. Fiji now has 9725 active cases in isolation and 59 deaths…
At least 64 people have been killed in a fire at a hospital that treats coronavirus patients in the southeastern Iraqi city of Nasiriya, according to health officials. Some 50 people were also injured in the Monday night blaze that is believed to have started after oxygen tanks exploded in an intensive care unit treating Covid-19 patients. The fire has since been extinguished. The Al-Hussein Hospital was set up at the start of the pandemic to treat coronavirus patients and it has quarantine stations on site. Nasiriya, in Dhi Qar province, is about 360 kilometers (225 miles) southeast of Iraq’s…
The former NBA superstar turned broadcaster appeared on NBATV’s Finals coverage last night remotely from his home. At the end of his segment, he was told that his responsibilities as broadcaster were officially over until next season. In what basically amounted to a ‘last day of school’ celebration, Shaq backed away from his close-up shot and did a no-pants dance for the NBATV viewers. As long as they’re sitting behind a desk, broadcasters delivering news or opinion segments have long skipped wearing dress pants to match their coats and ties. In studio, they’ll often wear athletic shorts or some other more comfortable option. At…
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed hope on Monday that climate change talks could act as a springboard to help reduce escalating tensions between the two rivals nations. Kerry met Lavrov as part of his four-day visit to Moscow as tensions continue to complicate the two countries’ bilateral relations. Kerry is the highest-ranking official from President Joe Biden’s administration to visit Russia so far. Lavrov said that Russia “attaches great importance” to the issues of climate change and will continue to cooperate with other nations on these issues. Russia’s top diplomat said Kerry’s Moscow…
New Ireland becomes the third province in Papua New Guinea to sign a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) today to advance financial inclusion activities in the province. The Bank of Papua New Guinea Governor and Chairman of CEFI, Loi M. Bakani and New Ireland Province Governor Sir Julius Chan signed the MoU to promote the integration of financial inclusion in the New Ireland Province administration planning and implementation processes and also build the capacity of New Ireland Provincial administration staff to implement important financial inclusion activities. The activities will include integrating the…
28,000 face masks are being distributed to communities throughout Fiji through the combined efforts of Rotary Clubs in New Zealand and Fiji, from Rotary Districts 9940 and 9920. The face masks were generously donated to Rotary District 9940 in New Zealand by renowned air filter company Lanaco and were shipped to Fiji through the financial support of the Rotary Club of Awapuni in New Zealand, and three Rotary Clubs in Fiji – Rotary Clubs of Suva East, Suva and Suva North. The face masks are high quality combination ear loop or head strap masks allowing the best possible fit, which…
The National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Morobe Provincial Government to work together to promote a saving’s culture and explore investment opportunities in the province. The MoU was signed today (Tuesday July 13, 2021) by Nasfund Chairman Charles Vee and Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu, in Lae. Commenting on this agreement, Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu said this partnership was long overdue, and thanked Nasfund for partnering with the Morobe Provincial Government. “We are pleased to partner with Nasfund – our local and national investor. With the impact of COVID-19 in the country, we as…
Indigenous people living in the Peruvian Amazon were equipped by conservation groups with satellite data and smartphones. They were able to reduce tree losses by half in the first year of the project. Reductions were greater in communities facing threats from illegal gold mining, logging and drugs. Brazilian minister quits amid illegal logging probe The activist whose fight created a national park Illegal miners fire on indigenous group in Amazon Over one-third of the Amazon rainforest lies within the territory of approximately 3,344 acknowledged indigenous communities. But for decades, these areas have been under attack from outsiders who are determined…