Australia's deputy prime minister pledges support to Solomon Islands during visit to Honiara
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s deputy prime minister pledged support to the Solomon Islands during a visit to the archipelago nation on Tuesday, as Canberra intensifies efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the South Pacific.
Richard Marles’ trip to the capital, Honiara, was the first by an Australian government minister since Jeremiah Manele was elected Solomon Islands’ new prime minister earlier this month.
Marles pledged to provide healthcare and border control support to the island nation and said at a news conference his visit provided an opportunity to discuss Solomons’ “priorities and the way in which Australia can help and contribute.”
“Australia sought to be the Solomons’ go-to security partner and had to work to earn that right. Hence, going to Solomon Islands quickly,” said Marles, who is also Australia’s defense minister.
Related articles
Hush money trial: Trump witness Costello back on the stand after admonishment
NEW YORK (AP) — A defense witness in Donald Trump’s hush money case whom the judge threatened to rem2024-05-22Dominica joins other Caribbean islands in striking down laws prohibiting gay sex
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A top court in the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica has struck down2024-05-22It really IS harder to say no to cake when you're fat, finds study of obese volunteers' brains
For some people, turning down a chocolate biscuit or piece of cake seems relatively easy while for o2024-05-22Federal money eyed for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Supporters of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota are2024-05-22Biden to release 1 million barrels of gasoline in bid to lower prices at pump
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Tuesday that it is releasing 1 million barrels of ga2024-05-22US health officials warn of counterfeit Botox injections
U.S. health officials issued a warning Tuesday about counterfeit Botox injections that have sickened2024-05-22
atest comment