Briefs
American SamoaThe American Samoa government ordered the closure of all day care centres in the territory on June 14, until further notice to curb the spread of a respiratory virus. The closure was approved by Lt. Gov.
Not so innocent bystanders
Policymakers in the Pacific Islands have been urged to consider adopting laws requiring bystanders to report online violence against women and girls. The suggestion comes from an Online Bystander Report by the
Briefs
American SamoaAmerican Samoa wants associate member status of the Pacific Islands Forum, after being an observer since 2011. Governor Lemanu Peleti Maunga said it was crucial for American Samoa to push for greater
U.S. president Biden scraps planned visit to Australia, PNG to focus on debt limit talks
U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he’s curtailing his upcoming trip to the Indo-Pacific, scrapping what was to be a historic stop in Papua New Guinea as well as a visit to Australia for a gathering with fellow
Micronesia’s new president takes over from Taiwan-leaning predecessor
The Pacific island nation of Micronesia picked Wesley W. Simina as its new president Thursday in a changing of the guard from a predecessor who had warmed up to Taiwan. Nikkei reports that the nation’s congress
U.S. President Joe Biden to visit PNG on his way to Australia
Planning is underway for United States President Joe Biden to make a historic visit to Papua New Guinea on his way to Australia next month as the U.S. continues to ramp up its diplomatic push in the Pacific. PNG and
USP graduation exemplifies excellence
Regional students share their experiences Over 1,786 tertiary students received their accreditation at the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) first graduation ceremony for 2023, with 61% of those graduating being
Movers and Shakers
Tonga's parliamentary Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, is the first Pacific Islander to be elected into the board of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Forum of Young Parliamentarians. Fakafanua said his election guarantees
Australia Foreign Minister Wong backing Waqa as PIF secretary general
Australia will stand behind Baron Waqa, the controversial pick as Pacific Islands Forum leader, despite his chequered record as Nauru president. The 63-year-old has been nominated by Micronesian nations to be the next
Sea of Western flags in Oceania?
In his recently published article “Sea of many flags”, the Head of the ANU National Security College Rory Medcalf makes the case for why Pacific Island states should regard the deep regional involvement of a Western
Nauru passes Micronesian Summit chairmanship to FSM
Nauru President Russ Kun has passed over the chairmanship of the Micronesian Presidents’ Summit (MPS) from Nauru to the Federated States of Micronesia at the 21st meeting of the MPS in Pohnpei this week. President
