Pacific news in brief for 15 July

RNZ News

15-07-2025

The Samoa Electoral Commission show votes being tallied during the general election in the capital city of Apia
Photo:
AFP or licensors
In a historic milestone for Samoa, two prominent members of the Samoa Fa'afafine Association (SFA) have announced they will be candidates in the upcoming general election.
Afioga Falesaopule Seimaleula Vaialia Iosua will be contesting in the Gagaifomauga District, while Afioga Siligatusa Alosina Ropati is standing in the Vaimauga District.
Both are respected
matai
and senior advisory councillors within the SFA.
The Fa'afafine Association said that it welcomed their decision to enter politics with immense pride.
It said that Samoa's laws have always acknowledged the equal rights of all citizens to participate in public life.
The
Samoa Observer
reports that August's election is expected to see a number of fresh faces, but the candidacy of the two fa'afafine leaders is significant and symbolic.
Samoa's electoral commissioner says that the 20-day timetable approved by the Supreme Court gives his office the time it needs to carry out its responsibilities ahead of the 2025 general election.
Speaking to the
Samoa Observer
following the court's confirmation of key dates, Tuiafelolo John Stanley said that the extended timeframe will mean they can do the job properly.
The Office of the Electoral Commissioner had initially requested 15 days, but the court granted five additional days after considering submissions from all parties.
Tuiafelolo said that it will give space to deal with objections and challenges in a fair and thorough way.
All objections to the voter roll and nominations must be filed by Friday.
Nauru President David Adeang says China is transforming his country.
In June, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a China-funded sports centre that will host events at the 2026 Micronesia Games.
Adeang told China's state-run media
'
China Media Group that he was expecting the sporting landscape in Nauru to completely change as a result
Nauru switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in January last year.
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stressed that the desecration of the Samabula Shiv Temple in the capital Suva is not the actions of a responsible citizen.
Rabuka has said sorry to the Hindu community for what he has called an unacceptable act.
He told
fijivillage.com
that such actions are disappointing and should never be accepted.
A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of alleged sacrilege and one count of throwing an object.
More than 150 regional leaders, diplomats, security experts, and civil society representatives are in Suva Fiji for one of the Pacific's largest security gatherings - the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Niue's Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi and Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Baron Waqa opened the meeting Monday.
The high-level meeting brings together senior government officials from Pacific Islands Forum member countries.
The Fiji Times reported
that regional stakeholders are expected to develop a Pacific-led roadmap towards the proposed "Ocean of Peace" - something Forum leaders will consider later this year.
A Catholic bishop in PNG has criticised authorities for failing to make sustained efforts to curb sorcery related violence.
The issue is back in the spotlight following the murder of a woman who had been accused of using witchcraft to kill her husband earlier this month.
The Bishop of Mendi Don Lippert said that existing laws are not being enforced.
The PNG government had promised new laws to make failing to report such cases a crime.
Prime Minister James Marape says the development of a fuel storage facility in Port Moresby is one of the key outcomes of a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States.
Marape held talks with US government officials in Washington DC last Wednesday.
With fuel shortages having been a thorny topic in PNG for a while now.
The National
newspaper reported that Marape saying the fuel storage facility is set to improve fuel security and ensure supply reliability during emergencies.
Marape said that he is seeing real progress through the agreement.
A group of 10 proud Cook Islands athletes have made history as the nation's first-ever representation at the Emo Aito Māori fruit-carrying race in the Heiva Tahiti Tu'aro Maohi Traditional Games in Tahiti.
Leading the team are coaches Ioana George Piira and Mylan Lane Vakapora, alongside manager Tixier-Teau.
Both Vakapora and Tixier-Teau, the only female competitors, will compete in the masters division.
Local media reported Tixier-Teau saying that coach Piira's personal journey has been a source of inspiration.