Arrests over teen's killing; military bases for Micronesia; and new ferry in Samoa
Arrests in brutal killing of Solomons teenager
Solomon Islands police have arrested two male suspects for the alleged murder of a 14-year-old girl.
In a statement, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Juanita Matanga, said the murder happened in September and it is alleged that the girl was raped before being killed.
The arrests were made on October 24 during a joint operation between Lata and Manuapo police officers.
The investigation into the matter is ongoing and police have appealed to the people in Reef Islands to work closely with investigators.
US looking at military bases for FSM
The United States is considering the establishment of military bases in the Federated States of Micronesia.
The Pacific Islands Times reports that at a recent Joint Committee Meeting on Guam, the U.S and FSM delegations created a working group to identify possible military sites in the FSM.
The meeting was capped by the signing of the expanded shiprider agreement, in which the FSM authorises the U.S Coast Guard to patrol its waters and "to act on behalf of the FSM in combating illicit maritime activity and to strengthen international security operations."
The expanded agreement is aimed at stunting China's ability to make further headway into the Pacific region.
Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson, of the Indo-Pacific Command said "this capability is a true and symbolic realisation of the integration of our homelands as one, as established by the Compact of Free Association, and will strengthen not only the maritime security of both our nations, but the bonds of partnership we share."
Samoa receives new ferry
The Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC) has taken delivery of its new $66.7 million tālā passenger ferry.
Photo: SSC
The vessel replaces the MV Lady Naomi, which has sailed between American Samoa and Samoa for more than 20 years.
The new Japanese-funded ferry arrived at Apia Harbour as the MV Lady Naomi was preparing to make her final sailing between the islands.
The new ferry will be commissioned on Tuesday and is expected to be renamed MV Lady Naomi 60.
The Minister of Transport, Olo Fiti Va'ai, said ferries servicing the route to American Samoa are to be named Lady Naomi and the ferries between Savai'i and Upolu are named Lady Samoa.
The '60' in the name is a nod to its arrival in Samoa's 60th year of independence.
Tackling bizarre claims on abortion and reproduction in Solomons
A study on abortion and reproductive health in the Solomon Islands has revealed a lot of misconceptions on the subject.
The study, conducted by the University of Melbourne and International Planned Parenthood Association, surveyed women accross the country to gather their knowledge and opinions on abortion.
A lead researcher in the survey Chris Golden said there is a prevalence of misconceptions regarding contraception.
"There's a lot of misconceptions about contraception is concerned about how does somebody manage their sexual health attitudes? For example, one of the ones that we are I remember one of the women that was reached was told that when she had an unwanted pregnancy here, one of the advices from a family member was to basic climb a tree and jump out of it, because that would induce an abortion. That's terrible advice. And this is like the sort of thing that we often work against."
Tongan minister passes away
Tonga's Minister of Fisheries has died.
Matangi Tonga reports Semisi Fakahau was 74.
Fakahau was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga in 2014.
He became Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries, and in January 2019 his portfolio was split, with him keeping fisheries.
He was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2021 and was appointed to his Ministerial portfolio.
Prior to politics, Fakahau was the Head of Government's Fisheries Division for many years.
He is the second Cabinet Minister to have passed away this year, after the late Minister of Agriculture, Viliami Hingano.
Group tight with one round left in basketball cup
With the final round of group games being held today in the Melanesian basketball cup in Suva, all four men's teams have one win under their belts after two games.
In a tight tussle, Papua New Guinea triumphed over New Caledonia 75 points to 66.
PNG captain Apia Muri finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Fiji was too strong for Solomon Islands in a fast-paced game, winning 66 to 57.
New Caledonia play Solomon Islands followed by Fiji playing Papua New Guinea today.
In the women's event, Papua New Guinea held on by one point against New Caledonia.
Meanwhile, Fiji were dominant against Solomon Islands, winning 76-34.