Nauru

For the previous 51 years the hugely lucrative industry was controlled by the Nauru Phosphate Corporation, owned by the governments of Australia, Britain and New Zealand.

Once Nauru gained control the country earned vast amounts of money, becoming the world's second richest nation on a per capita basis in the 1980s.

But that money was squandered and for the past 19 years Nauru had been largely relying on donor aid and income from Australia's controversial refugee camps.

Today is called 'Handover Day' and has been marked by President Lionel Aingimea.

The price hike will raise revenue to allow the government to pursue a variety of 2020-21 policy goals, but also, to work the economic levers to encourage more positive changes in consumer behaviours and choice-making as high tobacco and alcohol consumption is causing health care costs to rise and productivity to fall.

From 1 July, the average packet-a-day smoker will pay $547.50 a month, or $6,570 a year, just to maintain their addiction.

At the same time, Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Koru Tito as the new Bishop of Tarawa and Nauru.

He currently serves as the Vicar General of the same Diocese.

Tarawa and Nauru Diocese lies in the central Pacific Ocean nation of Kiribati.

Brief Biography

Bishop-elect Tito was born on 30 September 1960 in Tabiteuea, Kiribati.

He received a Diploma in Education at the University of the South Pacific of Fiji (1977-1979). He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Pacific Regional Seminary of Fiji (1981-1985).

The medical supplies were donated by the Australian Government.

Nauru’s Deputy Minister for Health, Pyon Deiye received the rapid test kits from Australia’s High Commissioner, Angela Tierney.

Nauru Media News reports the medical supplies will be used by RON Hospital and Public Health COVID-19 frontliners to detect coronavirus, COVID-19 at the borders by sea and air.

Nauru remains coronavirus-free.

Photo Nauru Media News  

A statement said they discussed New Zealand and Nauru’s respective responses to COVID-19.

President Aingimea thanked New Zealand for the support it had provided to Nauru for managing its response to the pandemic.

Minister Peters and President Aingimea discussed the importance of multilateral and regional institutions, including to address issues faced collectively by the Pacific region.

Both agreed the two countries would keep in close contact to advance the bilateral relationship and enhance regional trade.

The government continues to monitor global trends and measures taken by the medical community and other countries in how they manage their borders and in country.

In his weekly address, the President said the state of Victoria in Australia has had a spike in cases again prompting a return to border closures and some restrictions, while Fiji has reportedly reopened its borders for Kiribati, Tuvalu and Tonga.

The President made the comment in this week's situational media update.

He highlighted the broad work of the government and the Coronavirus Taskforce.

As the world faces this global health pandemic, the Taskforce continues to assess and monitor international advice and guidelines on processes in the management and prevention of coronavirus.

There are multiple international reports and medical literature suggesting the various methods to manage the virus such as how long quarantine time should be and when a COVID test should be done on travelers.

Twenty-four will leave Nauru after nearly seven years on the island to live in cities including Chicago and Philadelphia.

About 200 refugees remain on Nauru and 180 in PNG while 200 others, transferred to Australia for medical treatment, continue to be held in detention centres and hotels being used as alternative places of detention.

More than 750 refugees detained offshore by Australia since 2012 have been resettled by the US, despite Australia refusing to grant them asylum.

President Lionel Aingimea advised in this week's situational update that 169 people are currently in quarantine, including five at the Remand Centre.

The staff of service provider Canstruct, have opted to maintain Australia's recommended two weeks quarantine which is due to end this Friday.

However, they will still undergo lab testing on island.

In other air and sea movements, another passenger flight is due from Brisbane this Friday 12 June, and the normal freighter services will resume for Fridays and Saturdays.