CNMI Governor enters not guilty plea in arraignment
In the Northern Marianas, Governor Ralph Torres has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges filed earlier this month by the Attorney General.
CNMI Governor Ralp DLG Torres. Photo: Office of the Governor of CNMI
Torres was arraigned in the CNMI Superior Court on Monday.
His lawyer, Viola Alepuyo, told the court he would seek to disqualify the Attorney General from the case and to dismiss the criminal case filed against his client.
She also asked for an evidentiary hearing which the court has agreed will happen on May 31.
Ms Alepuyo informed the court her client is exploring the option of a jury trial that would consist of people from Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands.
The Office of the Attorney General earlier this month filed criminal charges against Torres, alleging 12 counts of misconduct in public office and one count of theft.
Solomons Police appeal for calm as parliament resumes
Solomon Islands police have issued a statement calling for cooperation from the public as parliament resumes to debate the 2022 Budget in the capital.
In November last year protests at parliament sparked three days of rioting, looting and burning of business houses in Honiara.
The team leader of police national parliament operations, Agnes Ape, reminded citizens it was important for the parliament to debate and pass the national budget to enable government ministries to deliver essential services to the people.
Ape appealed to the public to continue to be good law-abiding citizens and respect the leaders and work together with the police during this parliament session.
The statement comes after last week's confirmation of the signing of a security cooperation treaty with China that has divided public opinion in the country.
Palau names new ambassador to Israel
Ilana Seid has been named Palau's new Ambassador to Israel.
Seid was nominated by President Surangel Whipps Jr for the new Middle East post.
During a recent visit to Israel Ambassador Seid said she looks forward to developing stronger ties and cooperation.
"My first trip to Israel and I thought it was an incredibly innovative and vibrant country, it's a small country in the Middle East, Palau is a very small country in the Pacific but we hope to foster stronger relations and learn from them and they learn from us," she said.
Ambassador Seid will serve both as Palau's Permanent Representative to the United Nations as well as Palau's Ambassador to the State of Israel.
Macron scores 61 percent of New Caledonia vote
Re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron got 61 percent of the vote in New Caledonia, with his far-right opponent Marine Le Pen taking 39 percent.
Participation levels in the weekend's election in the northern and islands provinces was just 15 percent and 5 percent respectively.
In French Polynesia there was a more polarised result.
Macron got 51 percent with Ms Le Pen taking 48 percent.
She won over 17 districts, garnering just 3000 less votes than Macron.
The margin on Wallis and Futuna was much more substantial with Macron taking nearly 68 percent of the vote to Le Pen's 32 percent.
Vanuatu PM calls for Russia and Ukraine to negotiate for peace
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Bob Loughman has called on Russia and Ukraine to focus on the negotiating table to end their differences.
The Prime Minister is reported by the Daily Post Newspaper saying he is making the call as a friend of both countries.
Loughman says his country's foreign policy makes it clear Vanuatu is a friend to all and enemy to none.
Nauru announces fourth Covid-19 case
Nauru has announced a fourth Covid-19 positive case, a traveller from Brisbane.
The infection was detected among passengers who arrived on a flight last Sunday while they were completing their time in a quarantine facility.
The President lionel Aingimea says the person displayed mild symptoms of fever but is otherwise stable and well.
He said Nauru remains a Covid-safe environment, which means the virus is contained and there is no leakage into the community.
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