by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer Last week, US officials and leaders from Pacific Island nations convened in Palau to deliberate on the Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreements, pivotal treaties governing the relationship between the United States and the Freely Associated States, which encompass Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. Senator…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer The warship HMS Tamar is docked at Apia International Port as Samoa prepares for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This Royal Navy vessel, based permanently in the South Pacific, has been patrolling the south coast of Upolu following the grounding of HMNZS Manawanui on Tafitoala Reef on October…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Guam’s US Congressman James Moylan stated that discussions aimed at compensating survivors of nuclear radiation will persist, irrespective of the outcome of the US elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson has not yet given the green light for a deal to restore the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act (RECA). For 23…
Prime Minister Honourable Jeremiah Manele MP and HE Cai Weiming, and few ministers of the cabinet posed for a group photo after the signing ceremony The much-talked-about Malaita Road Network Project will soon commence, as signified by the signing of the Auki Road project between the Solomon Islands Government and the People’s Republic of China…
by Jake Sanders, Editor Pacific media watchdogs have expressed concerns that strict limitations at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa indicate the government’s desire to control the narrative and minimize negative coverage. The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Pacific Freedom Forum have jointly appealed to Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiame…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has stated that the responsibility for investigating the findings of an audit regarding the government’s Covid-19 economic stimulus package lies with the police and anti-corruption agencies in the country. The Auditor General’s report on the policy, which amounts to over US$36 million (SBD$309 million),…
by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer The U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand has stated that Pacific nations should have the autonomy to determine their own stances on nuclear weapons. This statement follows comments from former Trump adviser John Bolton, who suggested that New Zealand could be in danger if it maintains its strict prohibition on nuclear…
The Visa Waiver Agreement signing charts a new direction for the advancement and strengthening of bilateral relations, economic and commercial interactions, promotion of tourism, support greater people-to-people interactions and part of a broader diplomatic effort to foster collaboration in various other fields. The Solomon Islands and Saudi Arabia have signed a ‘Mutual Exemption of Short-Stay…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Fijian peacekeepers in the Middle East are reported to be “safe and in high spirits” despite rising tensions in the area, according to the acting home affairs minister of Fiji, Filimoni Vosarogo. In a statement released last week, Vosarogo emphasized that the safety of Fijian peacekeepers is “extremely important” and…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Government and environmental agencies in Samoa are on high alert following a fire that caused a New Zealand Navy ship to sink off the south coast of Upolu. The HMNZS Manawanui, a specialized dive and hydrographic vessel, was conducting a reef survey when it struck the reef on Saturday night….