PINA

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...

Remarks by IFEX Executive Director Annie Game at the launch of a collaborative project with the International Free Expression Project, marking World Press Freedom Day 2021 “Hello. I’m Annie Game, the Executive Director of IFEX, a global network of over 100 organisations in more than 70 countries who defend and promote free expression and access to information. Our work at the...

Fiji has reported another seven active COVID-19 cases of recovery. Head of Health Protection, Dr Aalisha Sahukhan during the daily press briefing Tuesday said with the seven recoveries Fiji now has 44 active cases which are currently being admitted in isolation units. As to whether these cases were border quarantine or locally transmitted Dr Sahukhan said she will reveal more details...

Samoa Caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has applauded the decision from the Head of State to call for fresh General Elections to determine the Government of the day. In a press conference on Tuesday night, shortly after the announcement from the Head of State to void the recent election results, Tuilaepa said the call is appropriate considering the 26-seat...

Samoa Supreme Court will hear an eleventh hour application from the Attorney General to discontinue the challenge from Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party to issue orders on the interpretation of the Constitution. Attorney General, Savalenoa Mareva Betham-Annandale said the application follows a writ from the Head of State for a fresh General Election declaring April's results void. Savalenoa...