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Samoan police stop hackers
A warning has been issued that cyber crime is on the rise in Samoa after the police thwarted an attempt by hackers to take money from a government authority and a local company.
The Samoa Observer reports the Land Transport Authority and a local construction company were victims to unknown hackers, who tried to siphon more than $100,000 from each of the parties.
New Zealand Police allegedly alerted the Samoan Ministry of Police, which prevented the loss of funds.
Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said New Zealand Police picked up the suspicious activities when email accounts between the parties were hacked by the unknown party.
He said the Land Transport Authority was in correspondence with a Kiwi firm and was in the process of making payments for major projects.
"Upon review it was found the hacker got into the accounts and asked to change the account number to make the payments," Auapaau said.
The Commissioner said it was difficult to track down the hackers and it was fortunate no payment was made.
Police neutral in election insists assistant commissioner
In Fiji, the Police has indicated that their position for the 2022 General Election remains apoliticial.
With election day on December 14, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdul Khan said the force's role is to ensure a safe and conducive environment for the election.
He said the focus is now on the election and officers must not let their guard down.
He said they need to ensure that the assigned routine operations are well looked after, and also be aware of the criminal landscape.
Huge financial cost of domestic violence, says Samoa minister
Family violence in Samoa costs the country's economy close to $150 million tālā a year, according to a study presented at an anti-violence campaign event.
Speaking at an event for the Malu i Fale National 16 Days of Activism campaign, the Minister of Women, Community and Social Development, Leota Laki Sio, highlighted the findings from the 2017 Samoa Family Safety Study.
He noted that this year marks the tenth year since Samoa joined the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
He said it has been ten years of advocacy at all levels, including reviews, refocusing, reformulation of policies, legislation, planning of frameworks, structures but sadly with very disappointing results.
New flights from Fiji to Vancouver
Fiji Airways launched its inaugural direct flight from Nadi to Vancouver this week.
The twice-weekly direct flight is Fiji Airways' first to Canada.
It is intended to build connectivity and assist in boosting tourism arrivals into Fiji.
The airline uses its Airbus A330 fleet, which has the capacity to carry 273 passengers.
Pacific tourist group joins UN body
The Pacific Tourism Organisation, or SPTO, has become an affiliate member of the UN World Tourism Organisation.
SPTO was one of 18 candidates whose membership were approved at the 117th session of the World Tourism Organisation's Executive Council in Morocco.
In acknowledging the announcement, SPTO chief executive Christopher Cocker said the announcement could not have come at a better time, as Pacific tourism seeks to accelerate its recovery from the pandemic.
He said this membership will support recovery through valuable opportunities for learning, sharing of information, exploring partnerships and capitalising on new opportunities.