PINA

-Two expatriates, a 62-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman, were separately charged in Papua New Guinea’s Alotau magistrate’s court last week with possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition. In the first case, alleged illegal firearms dealer Huong Haw Chin, a Malaysian businessman from Sarawak’s Sibu, pleaded not guilty in the Alotau magistrate’s court to four charges of possessing unlicensed firearms and...

The close-knit Solomon Islands tourism industry is in mourning following the death of Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto who passed away in Suva, Fiji, on Tuesday, 21 September. Tuamoto had recently returned to Fiji to be close to family while he recuperated following a recent bout of ill health. Announcing the sad news, Tourism Solomons board chairman, Chris Hapa said...

A programme aimed at addressing persistent and widespread gender gaps in the workplace in Fiji helped a raft of companies maintain operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with some reporting a lift in business performance. The Rakorako programme, an initiative of the International Financial Corporation (IFC) and Fiji Human Resources Institute (FHRI), has already resulted in 65 new policies and practices...

The interim chief executive of the Fijian Drua, one of two Super Rugby Pacific new entrants for 2022, says the depth on the islands is such that a place in the eight-team finals is possible next year – an outcome that could knock an Australian side out of the playoffs. “I think it's really hard to predict, and you don't...

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday welcomed important commitments made towards climate action by the world’s two largest economies, as the 76th High Level debate began in New York. He hailed United States’ President Jose Biden’s announcement that the U.S would significantly increase its international climate finance to approximately US$11.4 billion a year. “This increased contribution from the United States will...

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF)Commander, Brigadier General Jone Kalouniwai has confirmed receiving the resignation of two senior officers. The two are deputy commanders, Brigadier General, Mohammed Aziz and RFMF Chief of Staff, John Fox. The new military chief said there is no malice in the two senior officers stepping down and they left on good terms. “They went out of the...

A motion of no confidence to oust embattled Malaita premier Daniel Suidani has been set for early next month, October 2021. The Malaita Non-Executive Group (NEG) told SIBC News in an exclusive interview that they no longer have trust and confidence in Premier Suidani. Spokesperson and former minister of forest, mines and energy in the Suidani led Malaita Alliance for Rural...

Fiji has recorded 118 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, increasing the total number of cases to 50,128 and 574 deaths since the outbreak in April. Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said there have been 113 new recoveries to report since the last update, which means that there are now 12,948 active cases. “There have been 50,128 cases during the...

U.S President Joe Biden and the Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, have welcomed their new security ties after last week’s announcement that Washington would provide Canberra with advanced technology for nuclear-powered submarines as part of trilateral deal with the United Kingdom. “The United States has no closer or more reliable ally than Australia,” Biden said on Tuesday ahead of a...

Geopolitical jockeying for influence has got some Pacific island nations vaccinated against Covid-19 much quicker than New Zealand. But is there a quid pro quo? National Correspondent Lucy Craymer reports. The Marshall Islands has said they don’t need vaccines from COVAX, Palau and Guam are vaccinating tourists and Fiji is preparing to open its borders as 80 percent of its...