PINA

Fiji has reported four new cases of COVID-19, and all cases are close contacts of existing cases from the Nadali cluster. These cases were confirmed after running more than 2500 lab tests Monday. Ministry of Health and Medical Services permanent secretary Dr James Fong said because of a steadily rising number of cases, they were concerned that Nadali – located just...

Fiame Naomi Mata’afa described Monday as an “incredible day” and she looked forward to leading Samoa through challenging times, in a statement that all but claimed victory following two decisive Supreme Court victories. Mata'afa’s comments came late on Monday after the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party successfully challenged two attempts to interfere with the results of a...

Samoa’s caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) pulled a few surprises out of his hat when he announced plans to appeal a ruling delivered by the Supreme Court on Monday. Tuilaepa made the announcement when he appeared live on the Government of Samoa Facebook page Monday evening. Thousands of viewers tuned in...

Vanuatu Appeal Court has dismissed the appeal of former Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai. In handing down the verdict Friday, the judges said in their assessment, the sentence was thorough and can be regarded as lenient. “For the various reasons that we have outlined, this was a very serious act of perjury by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, directed to the Supreme...

Samoa caretaker PM promoting lawlessness: Fiame Mata’afa Lotofaga Member-elect Fiame Naomi Mataafa has accused Samoa caretaker Prime Minister of “promoting lawlessness” by saying a 21 May election will go ahead despite it legally still being an open question being argued in court. The Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party leader said statements by caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele...

The Supreme Court has overruled a declaration by the Samoa Head of State voiding last month's elections as having no legal authority. The court has reinstated the results from April's election and ordered Parliament to convene within 45 days from the 09 April polling day. Chief Justice, Satiu Simativa Perese handed down the decision of a panel of Judges -Justice Vui...

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta and Associate Health and Foreign Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio has announced that New Zealand will provide COVID-19 vaccines for rollout in the Cook Islands beginning on 19 May, followed by Niue and Tokelau. “This continues our ongoing commitment to support our Pacific neighbours through the increased challenges the COVID-19 pandemic is...

Founding director of Fiji Art and Soul, Shiri Ram, has taken out the top prize of FJD$3,000 (US$1,500) for a logo brand which will go global thanks to the Pacific Islands Forum. The Forum has been talking for a few years about a new Pacific Resilience Facility(PRF) to help communities access small grants to build community halls and weather proof...

A new fund aimed at helping build preparations ahead of disasters to help Pacific nations cut the cost of rebuilding and recovery is doing a stage one launch Wednesday, with the main launch of funding support timed for October 2021. Forum Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor chaired a senior advisers panel in a special advance media briefing on Monday 19...

The Papua New Guinea Media Council is deeply concerned about the conduct of police officers in the detaining of a media company employee in Port Moresby today, for taking mobile phone videos of a police operation. The MCPNG has been kept abreast of developments surrounding the detaining of Media Niugini Limited Sales Representative Richard Magei, after he was spotted using...