Tusi Tala, Staff Writer The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has entered into a grant agreement worth US$2 million with the government of the Cook Islands aimed at enhancing health screening capabilities at the nation’s airports. According to Cook Islands News, the funding will be utilized to upgrade health screening equipment that is essential during public…
Richard Sanders, Staff Writer Preparations for talks between US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are underway, incoming US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz has said. Phone conversations between the two are expected to occur in the “coming days and weeks,” Waltz believes. Asked during an interview with ABC News how soon a Trump-Putin meeting could happen,…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Australia has struck a new security agreement with Solomon Islands to bolster the size of the Pacific island nation’s police force. The ABC has been told that Australia has committed $190 million (US$118 million) to grow the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and establish a new police training centre in…
Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has acknowledged that US authorities, including the CIA, can access WhatsApp messages by remotely logging into users’ devices, effectively bypassing the platform’s end-to-end encryption. Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Friday, Zuckerberg explained that while WhatsApp’s encryption prevents Meta from viewing message content, it does…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has terminated Laauli Leuatea Schmidt as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. Laauli, Chairman of the country’s ruling FAST party, also faces several criminal charges. A government statement said this matter arose following the formal announcement of allegations implicating the minister. It cited an incident…
Governor General, His Excellency Rev. David Tipa Kapu with Japan’s new Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Keiichi Hagiuchi. Richard Sanders, Staff Writer Japan’s new Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Keiichi Hagiuchi, formally presented his Letter of Credentials to the Governor General, His Excellency Rev. David Tipa Kapu, during a ceremony held today. Ambassador…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Big Polluters Urged to Pay as Key Pacific Summit Opens in Tonga As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, a critical summit has opened in Tonga, drawing significant attention from Pacific island nations and global leaders alike. The summit centers around the pressing need for more…
Tusi Tala, Staff Writer This week, a significant event took place in Samoa as three new members of the Council of Deputies were inaugurated at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi Convention Centre. This ceremony marks an important step in Samoa’s governance, reinforcing the roles of these influential leaders within the country’s political framework. The…
Richard Sanders, Staff Writer Fiji’s public prosecutions office has revealed a troubling rise in sexual offenses involving minors, with numerous charges filed in December. The Fiji Times reported that 12 individuals faced a total of 26 charges related to serious sexual crimes, including rape, attempted rape, abduction with the intent to commit rape, indecent assault,…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor President Honors Native Hawaiian Impact and Sacrifice in Remote Pacific Islands In a move that highlights the enduring legacy and sacrifices of Native Hawaiians in the Pacific, President [Insert President’s Name] recently acknowledged the profound contributions of this community during a special event held [insert date or occasion]. The ceremony,…