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 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…
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…
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….
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Women’s leadership in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is frequently characterized as tough and challenging due to a variety of political, economic, social, and cultural factors. For instance, the 2020 report from the PNG National Research Institute Gender Program indicated that women political candidates encounter gender-specific obstacles, including stereotypes that undermine…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer Five individuals sought by French authorities have turned themselves in at the besieged pro-independence stronghold of Saint Louis in New Caledonia. This village, part of Mont-Dore near the capital Nouméa, had been surrounded by French security forces, who restricted access to the adjacent provincial road by setting up two checkpoints,…
by Tusi Tasla, Staff Writer The creation of a Pacific Response Group (PRG) emerged as a key outcome from the ninth South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting (SPDMM), which concluded in Auckland on Thursday. The three-day meeting was hosted by New Zealand, with participation from Chile, France, Fiji, Australia, and Tonga as member nations. The United…
by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer A former long-time staff member of Fiji’s parliament has expressed concern over the quality of political debates within the House, calling for stricter enforcement of standards regarding MPs’ behavior. On Monday, two MPs from opposing parties engaged in a heated exchange, resorting to name-calling and insults. Mary Chapman, who served…