Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Photo: Screengrab
Samoa - politics
Samoa's Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, 44 years after he first won a parliamentary seat, is intending to stand again in the upcoming national election.
Tuilaepa has been re-confirmed as the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) which has been in opposition since 2021.
His deputy, Lauofo Fonotoe Pierre, has also been re-confirmed in his role.
HRPP has dominated Samoa's politics for the past 40 years, with Tuilaepa at the helm for much of that time.
He served as the country's prime minister for 23 years, until losing the 2021 election to Fiame Naomi Mata'afa.
Cook Islands - shipping
The Cook Islands government has commended the outcomes of the 83rd session of the International Maritime Organisation's Marine Environment Protection Committee in the decarbonisation of maritime transport, amidst the global challenge of climate change.
For the first time, a global multilateral organisation has successfully adopted a mandatory provision to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping.
However, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, the Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, as well as a representative of Palau, abstained in the outcome of the IMO negotiations, refusing to support an agreement that would do too little, too late to cut shipping emissions and protect their islands.
In a statement, a Cook Islands government spokesperson said it is not about winners or losers - rather the whole world loses in the face of climate change.
Papua New Guinea - economy
Papua New Guinea's economy is forecast to continue to grow despite development challenges.
According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) the country's economy grew by 4.3 percent in 2024, its forecast to grow by 4.2 percent this year and 3.8 percent in 2026.
An ADB spokesperson said power blackouts and the high cost of doing business are further compounded by escalating trade tensions.
They said inflation fell to its lowest level in recent years in 2024.
Pacific - produce
Trade and investment promotion agency Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) says fresh produce growers and exporters in the region are struggling.
PTI said they are facing factors such as unfavourable weather conditions and changing global environments.
It said challenges include excessive rainfall - which has disrupted production in countries such as Fiji; there are also gaps in agricultural practices that could help mitigate the risks of a changing climate; widespread labour shortages; and a lack of necessary certifications.
PTI said another growing risk is climate-related changes elsewhere, along with advancing technology, that enables international farmers to grow items traditionally sourced from the Pacific, such as eggplant and okra.
But it said there are promising initiatives - including a project in Samoa aimed at setting up agricultural rental equipment for the Farmers' Association.
PIF - tariffs
Pacific Islands Forum leaders have ramped up discussions on the future of the regional architecture in light of the US administration's recent tariffs and policies impacting the Pacific.
The US holds dialogue partner status in the premier regional body, which has identified climate change as the greatest security threat to its member countries.
Before Trump's tariffs, the administration had caused concern for Pacific nations by pulling out of the global climate treaty, the Paris Agreement.
The Pacific Islands Forum Troika, made up of the past, present and future hosts of their annual meeting, will meet again in June to consider an update on the progress of key regional initiatives.
Niue - cyberbullying
An anonymous TikTok account has been reported to Niue High School by concerned parents.
Described as a "confessions" page, the account shared defamatory posts, targeting Year 9 students and calling them names.
Principal Charles Ioane told local media it's not an isolated case, as online bullying through anonymous social media accounts has been common in recent years.
The school had banned phones and access to social media from the school's network was prohibited.
Niue has no existing laws on cyber crime or online harassment.
It relies on existing laws containing provisions for distributing indecent documents and search and seizure powers, but it has yet to be updated to include electronic materials and devices.
