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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Pacific People 2022: Women At The Helm

The three key Pacific Islands fisheries organisations head into 2023 with competent, charismatic women at the helm. Rhea Moss-Christian of the Republic of the Marshall Islands now heads the Western and Central Pacific

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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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Movers and Shakers

Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu is the World Health Organisation’s new Chief Nursing Officer. In 2019, Dr Tuipulotu became Tonga’s first female Minister for Health, and has been a member of the WHO Executive

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Punching above its weight, Pacific pushes for ship polluters to pay

Punching above our weight has been the statement echoed in London this week to describe the tiny Pacific’s bold push against some of the global heavyweights to have polluters (ship) pay-up for their pollution.  This

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Be wary of outsiders, says FSM President Panuelo

One of the Pacific’s top leaders has endorsed Australia’s newly inked security treaty with Vanuatu, warning that the Pacific “family” has to make sure outside forces do not come in and disrupt the peace and

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Pacific gambit: Inside the Chinese Communist Party and Triad push into Palau

Palau is a key hotspot in the growing rivalry between China and the West. Organised criminals with links to the Chinese Communist Party are trying to find a way in — and many in the local elite have welcomed them,

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An update on the “good governance coup”: political will and corruption in Fiji

In 2006 Fiji’s current prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, seized power from a government that had been elected only seven months earlier. Named the “good governance coup”, the takeover was justified by concerns

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Samoa in cartel competition discussions

Samoan competition law enforcement officials will be among others from across the Pacific in Auckland with support from the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) for a roundtable discussion ahead of the

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Fiji Votes: A case of youth apathy or activism?

Young voters again have the opportunity to determine the result of Fiji’s election and the direction of the country in December, but many feel that political parties and candidates have failed to address the issues

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Briefs

American SamoaThe population of American Samoa has decreased below 50,000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s October update, the population count came to 49,710, far less than 56,084 recorded in 2010. The

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Opinion: Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership abrogates established order

The United States signed the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership with fourteen Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in Washington on 29 September 2022. Of the sixteen PICs, members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF),

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