PINA

By Euan Ward A controversial “golden passports” scheme run by the Pacific nation of Vanuatu saw more than 2,000 people, including a slew of disgraced businesspeople and individuals sought by police in countries all over the world, purchase citizenship in 2020 – and with it visa-free access to the EU and UK, the Guardian can reveal. Among those granted citizenship...

Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter is impressed with the work rate the team displayed last Saturday, plans are being mapped out strategy wise, raising the bar to another level as coach Cotter sets focus on a more competitive matchup tomorrow night. The Flying Fijians exceeded expectation when they took to the ground last weekend, considering a disjointed preparation heading...

UBS made $81 million (US$60 million) in excessive profits from an overly complex loan to Papua New Guinea, while the investment bank failed to disclose it had structured an option agreement weighted heavily in its favour, a royal commission was told on Thursday. The commission into the so-called UBS loan affair heard evidence from Dr George Oldfield, a derivatives expert...

As Fijians reel from news of 1,120 new infections, Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama maintains that adherence to the Health Ministry’s advice is the only way out. Bainimarama was asked by FBC News whether he is concerned with the increasing infections, even before the daily COVID-19 update was released. He said Fijians are still not taking personal responsibility. “The increase in numbers...

Indonesia's parliament has ratified a new autonomy law for Papua aimed at boosting development in its poorest region, sparking protests from activists who warned it would increase Jakarta's grip on the resource-rich area. The Papua special autonomy bill, which revised 20 articles from a pre-existing 2001 law, relates to Indonesia's easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua, where a low-level...

Samoa caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi has filed a complaint against the leader of Fa’atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party over “drastic” allegations, Acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti has confirmed. Responding to questions from Samoa Observer, Papalii said the matter was filed last Friday, and is now in the hands of an internal task...

The Delta variant’s spread, along with increased social mobility and the inconsistent use of proven public health measures, is driving an increase in both case numbers and deaths, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the recent data in an address to the Emergency Committee on COVID-19, established under the International Health...

Fiji has gone over the 1,000 cases of COVID19 recorded in a day. Fiji’s positive case number reached 1,220 and five new COVID-19 deaths Thursday. Permanent secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said the five new deaths reported for the period of 10 July to 13 July. “The first a 61-year-old woman from Kinoya who died at home on 10/7/2021. Her family...

The Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting today considered an update of the WTO negotiations on fisheries subsidies agreement (FSA) and welcomed the progress made thus far on the negotiating text. Trade Ministers also noted that a few key elements remain to be resolved and support the intensification of negotiations to reach consensus on these issues. Harmful fisheries subsidies have been...

Pacific Island countries will seek debt relief from their creditors as the spread of COVID-19 leaves some governments struggling to provide basic and essential services, Tuvalu’s Minister of Finance Seve Paeniu said on Thursday. Paeniu said the COVID-19 crisis has decimated the dominant tourism industries of some Pacific countries, and a meeting with creditors will be sought to secure financial...