The Pacific Island Times

1 week ago | pacificislandtimes.com | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

In 2020, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero came under fire for saying her administration was "milking" concessions from the federal government in exchange for hosting the Covid-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt. “The best decision I ever made is allowing the USS Theodore Roosevelt to go to our hotels,” the governor said during a virtual meeting with Rotarians on Guam. “They think we’re just the bomb. Really. The secretary of defense—I don’t know how many letters he wrote me thanking me.

1 month ago | pacificislandtimes.com | Mar-Vic Cagurangan

National economists are predicting an economic meltdown resulting from Donald Trump’s radical tariff regime that stirs up trade wars. But amid the global mayhem, local economist Gary Hiles pointed out that Guam is—oddly but agreeably—in a bright spot. The tariff hullabaloo presented a rare, serendipitous occasion when we found consolation in the isolated perks of Guam’s status as an unincorporated territory—an arrangement that is generally far from ideal.

2 months ago | pacificislandtimes.com | James Pearce

By James C. PearceA leaked document circulating online seems to cast doubt on New Caledonia's future as a part of the French Republic. Paris sent a negotiation document on its long-term involvement in New Caledonia, which was supposed to remain confidential. The language of the document implied that France either intends to exit New Caledonia in some form or substantially reduce its power.

2 months ago | pacificislandtimes.com | Joyce McClure

Photo courtesy of Island Solider LLC/Hawaii Public RadioThe per capita enlistment rate in the U.S. military for citizens of the freely associated states (Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia) is higher than that of most U.S. states. More than 1,000 FAS citizens currently serve in the armed forces, while approximately 240 veterans reside in their home countries.

2 months ago | pacificislandtimes.com | Leah Lowonbu |Stefan Armbruster |Harlyne Joku

By Leah Lowonbu, Stefan Armbruster and Harlyne Joku(BenarNews) -- Pacific’s peak diplomatic bodies have signaled they are ready to engage with Papua New Guinea’s Autonomous Government of Bougainville as mediation begins on the delayed ratification of its successful 2019 independence referendum. PNG and Bougainville’s leaders met in the capital Port Moresby this week with a moderator to start negotiations on the implementation of the U.N.-supervised Bougainville Peace Agreement and referendum.