PINA

Replacement Danny Toala has scored a try in the fifth minute of golden-point extra time to give Moana Pasifika their first-ever Super Rugby win, beating the Hurricanes 24-19. Coming off a 59-12 loss to the Chiefs last weekend, the Super Rugby Pacific newcomers were given no chance of beating the Hurricanes on Friday night despite their home advantage in Auckland. Though...

A wide-ranging draft security pact between the Solomon Islands and China has been leaked online, prompting Australia to voice concern about actions that would “destabilise” the South Pacific. The proposals — which have not yet been adopted — would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the crisis-hit Pacific island nation. The United States and Australia have long been concerned about...

Australian officials are alarmed at Solomon Islands’ planned security deal with China with the defence minister, Peter Dutton, stating “we would be concerned clearly about any military base being established” less than 2,000km off the coast. Solomon Islands has signed a policing deal with China and will send a proposal for a broader security agreement covering the military to its...

Talks are set to resume on negotiating the agreements between the U.S and its freely associated states in the Pacific, following the appointment of a new U.S special negotiator. The Compacts of Free Association outline economic and military ties and guarantee billions of dollars in financial support between the U.S and the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and...

The Solomon Islands has signed a policing deal with China and will send a proposal for a broader security agreement covering the military to its cabinet for consideration, an official of the Pacific island nation's government said on Thursday. The arrangements are likely to concern the United States, which said in February it would open an embassy in the Solomon...

Covid outbreaks in Samoa and Vanuatu have further whittled down the number of Pacific island nations that have so far escaped the pandemic, as case numbers surge after the first instances of community transmission in both countries. Tuvalu, Nauru and Micronesia are now the only remaining Pacific island countries that have not recorded any cases of the virus, according to...

Fully vaccinated tourists will no longer need to stay in Fiji quarantine for three nights from 07 April. Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced this in his 2021-22 Revised National Budget address in Parliament last night. He said after weeks of establishing private testing facilities nationwide, Fiji is ready to remove the three-night stay requirement upon entry into Fiji. Sayed-Khaiyum said fully-vaccinated...

Fiji’s 2021-2022 Revised National Budget is projecting a total revenue of $2.25 billion (US$1.07 billion) and a total expenditure of $3.72 billion (US$1.78 billion), says Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum while delivering the budget in Parliament last night. He said this would result in a net deficit of $1.46bn (US$699 million), equivalent to 14.2 per cent of GDP. Debt...

Effective from 01 April 2022, zero-rated Value Added Tax (VAT) will apply on 21 basic consumer items in Fiji. Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made this announcement during the Revised 2021-22 Budget address in Parliament last night. He said this will cushion the impact of higher global prices on Fijian consumers and the Government expects to lose around $163 million (US$78 million)...

By Peter Hooton Canberra’s insipid approach to climate action undermines trust and endangers vital interests close to home. Australia has long claimed a special relationship with Pacific island countries as their largest regional trade, investment, security and development partner. But these same countries have been frustrated and disappointed by Australia’s failure to address the issue which poses the gravest single...