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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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World Bank opens new regional office in FSM

The World Bank has officially opened a permanent office in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, following several years of an expanding presence and portfolio across the North Pacific.  The new regional hub

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Marshalls air cargo crisis: search is on for alternative

The Marshall Islands government has been forced into making alternative air delivery options for everything from mail and medicines to fresh tuna and equipment for essential public services due to the mounting air cargo

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Big picture vision conversations missing in the Pacific

Big picture conversations about the future of the Pacific islands should be happening, but they are not, said one of the region’s foremost commentators in an interview published this week in the Marshall Islands

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Micronesian Games delayed due to issues with facilities

The Micronesian Games Council said it’s delaying the 10th Micronesian Games in Majuro, Marshall Islands due to the unreadiness of the host islands’ sports facilities. It’s the second time the Games

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Compact impact aid expiring this year but discussion remains in the air

Washington has completed its negotiations with the freely associated states, pledging the renewal of U.S. economic provisions under the Compacts of Free Association.  Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the

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American legal expert: Marshall Islands voters must approve Compact

In what amounts to a bombshell legal opinion, one of the top American constitutional law experts who also was the legal advisor to the Marshall Islands constitutional convention that wrote the nation’s constitution in

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