PINA

Samoa's outgoing prime minister and prime minister-elect met on Thursday afternoon as part of secretly-held negotiations about the transition to a new national government. However, neither leader would be drawn on the substantive details of their discussions. “This is only the beginning,” said the leader of the Fa'atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, after meeting with...

The caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi should step down now because he "has no status", says Samoa's former Attorney General Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu. The lawyer for the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi party said this during an interview with PMN Live on Thursday. The interview was conducted a day after the Court of Appeal overturned a decision...

Fijians who continue to flout certain advisories and are not adhering to the COVID-19 measures will now be issued on the spot fines. The Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 has been passed in Parliament last night after a short debate. Offences covered under the amendment include the failure to wear an appropriate face covering and not presenting the careFIJI mobile application...

The University of the South Pacific (USP) Council has agreed that allegations levelled against Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson and the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Mahmood Khan, be referred to an Ethics Committee. The Council convened again this week, has released a statement noting that the Committee members from Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tokelau and Tuvalu have been...

Townsville will host the newly developed PacificAus Sports Oceania Sevens on 25-27 June, boosting team preparations ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The event brings world-class rugby sevens to fans in North Queensland in June and is the initiative of Oceania Rugby, proudly supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program, the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council. A unique new tournament...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reinforced the importance of protecting the integrity of sport, while speaking at a special United Nations General Assembly event, highlighting the dangers of corruption. Invited to address a UN delegation, and stakeholder chiefs, President Infantino reiterated how good governance is critical to building sustainable, clean football for the whole world to enjoy. From robust financial...

Aussie Spirit depart for Japan ahead of Tokyo 2020 (Australian Olympic Team) Based in Ota City, Gunma Province, the squad of 23 are the first Olympic Team to be based in Japan as part of their Olympic preparations. They will play 34 matches against the Japanese Professional League and two matches against the Japanese National Team before officially opening Olympic competition...

Fiji’s second COVID-19 wave continues to batter the economy, and a series of market updates released by companies listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange make for sobering reading. None of the listed companies are putting numbers to the impact on their bottom line, although all are assuring their shareholders that they have business continuity and COVID-response plans in hand. Fijian...

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced a Cabinet portfolio reshuffle today. “With the retirement of the Henry Puna, and the election of Akaiti Puna as the Member of Parliament for Manihiki; and with the new budget to be tabled next – I’ve taken the opportunity to relinquish some of my portfolios, reallocate other portfolios to Ministers and to...

New Zealand has reinforced its involvement in the Five Eyes partnership this week in response to recent conduct from China. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern previously distanced the country’s involvement in the alliance, saying it would not be used for communication outside security matters. Today, Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said all countries within the partnership are “on the same page”. “The Five...