PINA

Outgoing UN Resident Coordinator for the Pacific Sanaka Samarasinha lauded Palau’s high vaccination rate adding that it is “among the best in the world.” Samarasinha was in Palau last week for a country mission where he also met key government representatives, national UN staff, and civil society groups, and the private sector to discuss, current work the UN is doing...

The biggest threat to Fiji’s recovery plan will be to control our ongoing epidemic through our ongoing COVID-safe discipline. This, according to Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong. “Of particular importance is the need for good ventilation in all social and workplace indoor gatherings, ensuring that all age-eligible individuals in these gatherings are vaccinated, and proper mask-wearing,” he said. Dr Fong...

As businesses re-open from today, Fiji authorities have cautioned that breaches of COVID safe protocols will not be tolerated. Minister for Commerce, Faiyaz Koya said this milestone in Fiji’s road to recovery cannot be compromised at any cost. “Most if not all businesses are now opening and we hope to see more Fijians return to work. We’re hoping and wishing to...

Palau finally adopts a new tax regime, a Value Added Tax (VAT) system after more than 30 years using Gross Receipt Tax (GRT) system. President Surangel Whipps Jr signed the bill into law, RPPL 11-11, on Wednesday, 29 September. The new tax law, referred to as Palau Goods and Services Tax (PGST) will take effect on January 2023. “Our tax system...

Samoa Breweries introduced its newest addition to the Vailima beer family, Vailima Gold on Saturday. Vailima Gold is a low carb, full flavour lager beer with an alcoholic strength of 4.1 percent “This beer has been months in the making and our Vailima Brewing Team have worked tirelessly to perfect its brewing processes to achieve a true low carb beer that...

The Papua New Guinea Government has admitted that the purchase of the controversial Maseratis vehicles for use by the 2018 APEC Leaders was a “terrible mistake”. Finance Minister Sir John Pundari made the admission Thursday when announcing that the 40 luxury vehicles, bought for K20 million(US$5.7 million) at K500,000(US$142,000) each would be put on the market for a “discount price”...

The Fiji Labour Party, Freedom Alliance and Unity Fiji will merge for the 2022 general elections. This has been confirmed by Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry, Freedom Alliance Jagath Karunaratne and Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube. The three political leaders in a joint statement said work towards uniting the Opposition parties for the 2022 general elections have started. The three...

With just one month left until the COP26 climate change conference, countries must do more to reduce emissions, finance climate action and support mitigation, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the final official ministerial meeting in Milan, Italy, on Thursday. “I cannot emphasise enough that time is running out. Irreversible climate tipping points lie alarmingly close. Civil society is watching closely...

President of the Federated States of Micronesia(FSM) David Panuelo, has transmitted a proposed bill, the FSM Freedom of Information Act, to the 22nd FSM Congress for its members’ review and consideration. As originally described during his inaugural address in July 2019, President Panuelo’s proposed Freedom of Information Act intends to institutionalise the disclosure of public information by establishing suitable procedures,...

Samoa Member of Parliament for Faleata No.3 Ale Vena Ale has raised major concerns relating to bribery and corrupt practices during election petitions after an election. Ale Vena Ale made a suggestion that the Government should consider drawing the fine line on what is considered cultural practice and bribery during campaign periods for any election. He made the points when he...