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Pacific News In Brief For 1 April
Hawai'i - attempted murder charge
A Maui doctor has been charged with second-degree attempted murder after a woman was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Hawaii News Now reported officers saying they responded to reports of a man beating a woman at Pali Puka hiking trail.
Police said the victim told them that her husband attempted to push her off the trail and then repeatedly hit her head with a rock.
The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived and a search was coordinated.
He was arrested that evening.
Federated States of Micronesia - infrastructure
The Pentagon plans to invest US$2 billion to build more projects that would enable US forces to operate in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
A US Defence Department spokesperson said both countries have reached a mutual understanding to proceed with the construction of previously authorised US-funded infrastructure projects in Yap.
The agreement was reached during an unannounced meeting between Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and FSM President Wesley Simina on Guam.
A source told the Pacific Island Times that Hegseth and President Simina met at Andersen Air Force Base last Thursday.
Simina declined the Pacific Island Times' request for an interview.
Vanuatu - petitions
The Vanuatu Supreme Court has dismissed one election petition and struck out three others for non-compliance with the Electoral Act following January's election.
Local media reported Judge Oliver Saksak dismissed Uri Warawara's petition challenging the election of Allan Molvoke Liki to the Malo Constituency on the grounds that he did not pay a security deposit on time.
Warawara complained that 111 voters were allowed to vote when they should not have during the snap election in January.
Vanuatu has had five prime ministers in four years.
Pacific - climate
Fundraising campaigns are planned to boost the Pacific Resilience Facility - a fund for responding to climate impacts.
Matangi Tonga reported Australia has promised the most money so far, approximately US$63 million.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General, Baron Waqa said a series of campaigns has been planned for the fund, including a significant fundraising and pledge commitment event alongside the UN General Assembly later this year.
The fund is set to be ratified at the PIF Leaders' Meeting in September.
Indo-Pacific - agreement
The Agence française de développement (AFD) and the Pacific Community, or SPC, have signed a funding agreement of €4.5 million Euros.
The money is to support a project called "Strengthening Health Security in the Indo-Pacific Region".
It will span the next four years and builds upon the agency's prior support of €5 million Euros to the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network from 2018 to 2023.
The project will focus on strengthening integrated approaches to human, animal and environmental health in the region through the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network.
Tokelau - research
An education and research expedition has arrived in Tokelau.
It is focused on culture-based environmental education programs, biodiversity research, and community science training.
The expedition represents a follow-up to research sites that haven't been surveyed in 13-20 years, doing bird and invasive species monitoring, fish surveys, photogrammetry, environmental DNA sampling, and citizen science training.
All activities are being documented in virtual reality to create educational resources for Tokelauan schools.
It is a joint venture with contributors including Conservation International, New Zealand Geographic, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Samoa Conservation Society.
Fiji - Eid-ul-Fitr
Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad wants to remind the public of the country's diversity and the values of inclusivity, understanding and respect in light of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations on Tuesday.
It is the first of the two main festivals in Islam.
Biman Prasad extended his best wishes to all those marking the occasion, saying Eid is a time of faith, compassion and gratitude.
He said it brings people together and supports those in need.
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