A Guardian investigation has revealed that a scheme allowing foreign nationals to purchase citizenship in Vanuatu saw more than 2,000 people granted “golden passports” – and with it visa-free access to the EU and UK – in 2020. Among them are senior political figures from around the world, as well as several convicted and alleged criminals. While such citizenship schemes are not illegal or unusual, some experts have warned that this system could create a backdoor for criminals to enter the EU, and may encourage illegal operations in the broader Pacific area. Pacific Editor Kate Lyons and freelance reporter Euan Ward speak to Laura Murphy-Oates about how this passport scheme works and how it could be exploited

Vanuatu’s golden passports

You’ve seen the headlines, now hear the Full Story. Every weekday, join Guardian journalists for a deeper understanding of the news in Australia and beyond. You can support The Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

News

As the Australian government faces off with Elon Musk and his social media platform X, a global battle to better regulate the world’s biggest social platforms is kicking off.Nour Haydar speaks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about the trouble with regulating global social media giants, and how it will affect the future of journalism

Newsroom edition: can governments control big tech?

Anthony Albanese has labelled X’s owner, Elon Musk, an “arrogant billionaire who thinks he is above the law” as the rift deepens between Australia and the tech platform over the removal of videos of a violent stabbing in a Sydney church. Reporter Josh Taylor tells Jane Lee how this stoush started, and if it’s possible to stop the spread of violent material and misinformation online You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

Is Elon Musk above Australian law?

In the aftermath of the Bondi Junction and Wakeley stabbing attacks, Guardian Australia political editor Karen Middleton tells Nour Haydar why there are calls to redefine terrorism and responses to violence against women You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

Why weren't the Bondi stabbings declared a terrorist act?

Billed as a rival to the Olympic Games, the Enhanced Games – set to take place in 2025 – is a sporting event with a difference: athletes will be allowed to dope. Ian Sample talks to chief sports writer Barney Ronay about where the idea came from and how it’s being sold as an anti-establishment underdog, and to Dr Peter Angell about what these usually banned substances are, and what they could do to athletes’ bodies

Who really wins if the Enhanced Games go ahead?

More than 9 million Australians live in areas with limited or no childcare services, and the problem is only exacerbated in regional and remote areas – forcing many mothers to take a break from their careers. Guardian Australia columnist Gabrielle Chan tells Nour Haydar about her experience as a working mother in a regional area, her frustration at a lack of progress, and whose responsibility it is to ensure more towns get the childcare services they need You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

Vanuatu’s golden passports

Download our free app to listen on your phone