Corruption and money laundering claims continue to dominate headlines, as New Zealand politicians favour immunity for Fiji’s current coup leaders.

Australia’s Channel Seven has defended its recent story linking Australian aid to corruption in Papua New Guinea, despite a chorus of protest including from PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

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The BBC reports that HSBC Bank’s decision to close the bank accounts of 40 diplomatic missions, including PNG, has caused ‘havoc’.

Trying to explain the sudden move, the BBC stated that ‘[Embassies] are sometimes considered to be at risk of money laundering activities because of their political exposure and banks have been warned in the past for failing to flag up suspicious accounts.’

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The ABC’s Pacific Beat programme reports on consensus among New Zealand’s main political parties on immunity for Fiji’s coup leaders.

According to Prime Minister John Key, the pardon is a compromise which might be necessary to guarantee that Fiji holds fair and democratic elections next year.

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In the lead-up to this week’s annual Pacific Islands Forum in the Marshall Islands, The Economist explains why climate change will be a key topic of discussion.

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The ABC’s PM programme is quoting East Timor’s minister as offering AUD$800 million from its AUD$14 billion petroleum fund to persuade Woodside Petroleum to build a pipeline so that gas from the stalled Greater Sunrise project can be processed onshore.

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In the US, Fortune 500 company Verizon has agreed to pay US$130 billion to take full control of Verizon Wireless from would-be saviour of Bemobile, Vodafone.

According to CNN, Vodafone plans to strengthen its presence in Europe:

‘The deal will give Verizon 100% ownership of America’s largest and most profitable wireless provider. In return for its 45% stake, Vodafone will receive nearly $120 billion in Verizon stock and cash, plus Verizon’s minority 23% stake in Vodafone Italy’.