How officials bought luxury ‘government’ cars with funding for victims of U.S. nuclear testing
The hydrogen bomb exploded at 6.45am, vaporising three islands in a fireball four-and-a-half miles wide and sending a tower of radioactive debris high into the atmosphere. At 15 megatons, the Castle Bravo device –
Marshall Islands end U.S. Compact hold-out
When an 11th hour appeal for more nuclear test compensation by Marshall Islands leaders fell flat in the United States Congress in mid-July, the government endorsed a stalled funding agreement ending a seven-month
Congress prodded to finalise Compact package for freely associated states
Defence officials and territorial delegates have pressed both houses of Congress to tie up the proposed new economic packages under the Compacts of Free Association, noting the freely associated states’ critical role
Opinion: Vital to protect pro-Israel UN votes from Pacific nations
It is no secret that Israel is disproportionately singled out at the United Nations. Last year, the General Assembly approved 15 anti-Israel resolutions. That was two more than all of the other resolutions criticising
Marshall Islands seeks U.S. apology, compensation for nuclear tests damage
The Marshall Islands on Tuesday called on Washington to pay “full” compensation for the health, environmental and cultural damage caused by 67 nuclear tests carried out by the American government, refusing to accept
Pacific nations gather in Samoa for first Loss and Damage dialogue
Pacific people are increasingly suffering loss and damage from superstorms breaking records each year; sea level rise eating away villages and arable land; ocean acidification dissolving our reefs; increasing sea
Governments set to fail to plot shipping industry course for 1.5C
A campaign by climate-vulnerable Pacific islands to raise governments’ ambition on emissions-cutting for the global shipping industry looks set to fail at talks in London. With just over a day of negotiations left at
Opinion: Who will dare break the vicious cycle of corruption in the Pacific?
“When you don’t take a stand against corruption you tacitly support it.” ― Kamal Haasa The first instinct of a person responsible for the care of their loved ones in a modern-day Pacific society is to survive by
Navigating sustainable transport: Waan Aelõñ in Majel
Sustainable sea transport for Alson Kelen is not just about getting down to zero emissions. “We have to understand that sustainable sea transport also means helping with non-communicable disease, helping education,
Pacific labour mobility: Weaving Fiji-Marshallese links
After six years in the Marshall Islands, Fijian Verenaisi Bavadra says, “I feel to have contributed to the development of education in the Marshall Islands in my own little field.” The Library Director at College of
Congressmen angry that Bikini islanders’ nuclear trust fund may have been ‘squandered’
Following widespread media coverage of the collapse of what was a more than US$70 million trust fund for Bikini islanders displaced by American nuclear weapons testing, the United States Congress has demanded answers
Latin America leads resistance to global shipping emission tax
At crunch talks in London, Latin American nations led by Brazil have fought against a tax on the emissions of the global shipping sector. The media is not allowed to watch the talks, hosted by the United Nation’s
Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive
Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China’s Belt and Road playbook. Saudi Arabia and the United
Marshall Islands Compact held up by nuclear legacy
The lack of agreement on the nuclear legacy issues holds up the Marshall Islands’ Compact Review negotiations with the United States, according to Marshall Islands Speaker Kenneth Kedi during the Marshall Islands
The Next Breakthrough in Shipping isn’t on the horizon. It’s here.
Few think of the ocean as an epicenter for human ingenuity, but our history and future can be charted by our life on the seas, President David Kabua writes. From the extraordinary voyages of my ancestors and other early
Widen tax base, spend more efficiently
World Bank's Advice to 9 Pacific Economies The World Bank says six Pacific Island countries are at high risk of debt distress, and that gradual cuts to government spending are vital for balancing budgets and avoiding
Marshall Islands government takes over Bikini operation
Following a week of public demonstrations by members of the displaced Bikini community in Majuro over alleged mismanagement of nuclear test compensation trust funds, the Marshall Islands government placed the
Six Pacific countries at high risk of debt distress: World Bank
Six Pacific countries are at a high risk of debt distress in part due to government spending to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Bank said in a report on Thursday. The report, titled Raising Pasifika, said
New dates for stalled Micronesian Games announced
The twice-delayed Micronesian Games will now be held from 15-24 June, 2024 in Majuro, Marshall Islands. The Micronesian Games Council said the new dates for the quadrennial event was decided following a special virtual
Contaminated cough syrup made in India found in Western Pacific: WHO
Contaminated cough syrup made by an Indian company has been found in the Marshall Islands and Micronesia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday, after a spate of child deaths linked to similar syrups in
Sacked health chief hits ‘blatant corruption’ in Marshall Islands
Jack Niedenthal, who was recently “fired” as health secretary of the Marshall Islands, blasted the national government for turning a blind eye to the “blatant corruption” involving “greedy
Biden backs plan to restore benefits for COFA migrants
U.S. President Joe Biden has endorsed legislation sponsored by Hawaii’s congressional delegation to restore access to federal benefits for tens of thousands of Micronesian migrants living in the U.S. legally under the
Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kabua to meet President Tsai this week
Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kitlang Kabua is slated to visit Taiwan on Wednesday for a week-long trip. Her delegation consists of government officials including Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Anjanette