U.S. Coast Guard moving cutter to Pacific as regional missions expand

Driven by greater demand for its partnerships and presence in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. Coast Guard is growing its operational presence in the vast region that’s unsettled by continuing incursions from

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Biden administration to reduce financial burden on U.S territories

The Biden administration has announced new efforts to reduce the financial burden on the U.S territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and U.S Virgin Islands.  The U.S.

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Looking at Palau’s approach to the compact negotiation

In September 2021, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr told world leaders at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly that the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the United States has led to

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Military exercises to take place in Pacific amid security concerns

Approximately 1,000 U.S. airmen, marines and sailors will train alongside 1,000 combined Japan Air Self-Defence Force, Royal Australian Air Force and French Air and Space Force service members in Cope North 2023, which

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In the midst of neocolonialism – What are the threats to Pacific solidarity?

The state of Pacific island solidarity in the midst of a serious crisis pertaining to climate change and the strategic competition between the United States and China seems to be weak. At a time when solidarity may be

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Whispers

USP boss ponders where to call home  The University of the South Pacific is preparing to welcome Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia back to its Laucala campus in Suva, after he was deported in February

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Briefs

American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s Commerce Department has awarded Rescue Plan Act funds to support preparations for future public health emergencies. The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority was awarded US$2.8m

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Movers and Shakers

Fijian national, jurist and lawyer Imrana Jalal is the first  woman from the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands region to be awarded the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honour by the World Jurists Association.

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Micronesian nations sign communique to advance cable project

After a series of high level discussions in Honolulu between senior officials from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Nauru, Kiribati and representatives from Australia, Japan, and the United States, the group

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Marshall Islands could receive billions in U.S. assistance

U.S. negotiators have agreed to drastically increase funding for the Marshall Islands as part of ongoing efforts to renegotiate for a third time the terms of a decades-old treaty between the two nations. The talks are

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U.S. nears new cooperation deals with Pacific Island nations

The Biden administration is nearing deals with two Pacific Island nations to extend ties that are considered critical to maintaining balance in the U.S-China rivalry for influence in a region where the Chinese are

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Briefs

American SamoaA new submarine cable between Samoa and American Samoa has been agreed, to further enhance Internet and communications connectivity. The MOU states that the cable will run between Upolu and Tutuila and

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