Latest news with #PacificRegion
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
US demands Australia lifts defence spending
The United States has demanded Australia lift its defence spending to almost $100 billion a year "as soon as possible", saying Australia must do more to support the US in the Indo-Pacific.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Announces Drawdown of Ps. 3,375 Million Credit Facility
GUADALAJARA, Mexico, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) ('the Company' or 'GAP') announces that today it drew down a credit facility with Banco Nacional de México, S.A. ('Banamex') for Ps. 3,375 million, with a five-year term. Interest will be payable monthly at a variable rate of TIIE-28 (Funding) plus 54 basis points, without fees and principal payment on May 30, 2030, The proceeds from this credit will be used to repay existing bank loans currently held with Banamex of Ps. 2,500 million and BBVA of Ps. 875 million. Company Description Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates 12 airports throughout Mexico's Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo, Guanajuato, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali, and Los Mochis. In February 2006, GAP's shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'PAC' and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'GAP'. In April 2015, GAP acquired 100% of Desarrollo de Concessioner Aeroportuarias, S.L., which owns a majority stake in MBJ Airports Limited, a company operating Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In October 2018, GAP entered into a concession agreement for the Norman Manley International Airport operation in Kingston, Jamaica, and took control of the operation in October 2019. In accordance with Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Article 42 of the 'Ley del Mercado de Valores', GAP has implemented a 'whistleblower' program, which allows complainants to anonymously and confidentially report suspected activities that involve criminal conduct or violations. The telephone number in Mexico, facilitated by a third party responsible for collecting these complaints, is 800 04 ETICA (38422) or WhatsApp +52 55 6538 5504. The website is or by email at [email protected]. GAP's Audit Committee will be notified of all complaints for immediate investigation.
ABC News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Samoan PM Fiame Naomi Mata'afa warns of growing geopolitical interest in Pacific
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa says it's a tough time for the Pacific region as leaders navigate a dynamic geopolitical arena, with various countries seeking more involvement and influence. Speaking to RNZ Pacific on the sidelines of the University of the Pacific Council meeting in Auckland this week, she confirmed that the Review of the Regional Architecture (RRA), led by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), is in its final stage. The RRA process aims to ensure regional governance mechanisms are fit-for-purpose, effective, and responsive to the evolving needs of Pacific Island countries. It is the Forum leaders' response to increasing interest from a growing number of PIF dialogue partners wanting a seat at the regional decision-making table. Ms Fiame said with "every man and his dog coming into the Pacific", it is difficult for small Pacific Island administrations to navigate evolving geopolitical interests. "The geopolitical situation [in the] Pacific is becoming very contested. It is becoming very congested." She said the first two phases for the RRA — a situation analysis and drawing recommendations from the result of that analysis — have been completed. "Now, the third phase, which has been undertaken by a team of three…essentially making the rounds, taking the recommendations, having sit-downs with leaders in the region to go through the recommendations," she said. "But their basic question is: Is Pacific unity still there? Do we still want it? If we do, what do we want it to look like?" Asked if Pacific unity was still there, she said: "We say it is. But in practice, I personally think that there is fragmentation. "There is always that conflict between the collective and national interests and so forth. We really do have to be thinking about what is it, in regionalism, that we want to make sure stays?" The US relationship Ms Fiame said the United States would be a "significant element" of the regional reforms. However, she noted most of America's aid goes to Micronesian nations. "For us in Samoa, we have American Samoa as a territory of the US. I think that's something we need to pay some attention to — how any decisions made by any administration of America filtering through to American Samoa because [of] the vicinity of our closeness," she said. "We've also been building, other than the kinship ties, the government-to-government relations with American Samoa. They're an important market to us." She said their concerns included pronouncements related to ocean assets. "That's a regional concern for all of us — the protection of our marine environment, which actors are going to be there? How will it impact on the interests of the Pacific countries? "I think that particular issue, especially hand-in-hand with seabed mining." Domestic political landscape Meanwhile, Ms Fiame said she has yet to decide which political affiliation she will support in the next election. Samoa's parliament has had its share of turmoil this year, with party sackings and motions of no confidence. "Our focus at the moment is completing the term and that has always been an issue," she said. "We had two motions of no confidence. I have always said that parliament would determine whether we remain in government as a minority government, and it would appear that that is still the status quo." She said the budget is coming out next week, which is another usual parliamentary issue that determines confidence. "My reading is no one really wants to go to an early election. There are a few technical issues that would make it difficult. The main one being that we are doing a complete re-registration of the voters, and I think we are not yet at 60 per cent. "What we've said in our cabinet is that we all need to pay attention to our individual constituencies — whether we want to run again or not. Ms Fiame has also ruled out representing the FAST party in future elections. "There's some real credibility issues around the party now with the split [and] also the personalities. "I think if we do go forward, it will either be under a completely different umbrella or independent. We still have to make that decision." RNZ
Independent Singapore
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Keep warships out: NZ Deputy PM slams push to turn Pacific into military battleground over China
NEW ZEALAND: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Winston Peters, issued an explicit notice against the Pacific region becoming knotted in military rivalry as geopolitical pressures deepen. In the latest The Guardian report, Peters underscored that the Pacific must continue as a 'region of peace,' even as worldwide powers seek greater impact and control. 'The reality is, as the geostrategic shape of the world changes, we do not want the Pacific to become the competition grounds,' Peters said. He highlighted New Zealand's constructive rapport with China but articulated deep apprehensions about the Pacific becoming battle-ready. This anxiety trails a sequence of new breaking points, including a contentious security arrangement between China and the Cook Islands and live-fire military trainings steered by China in the Tasman Sea, events that caught both Wellington and Canberra by surprise. Diplomatic strains and strategic surprises While China's strength and presence remain through security alliances and economic aid all over the Pacific, Peters indicated disconcerting signals of escalating tension. The Cook Islands, which have been linked to New Zealand via a free association treaty, triggered political resistance earlier this year by declaring a tactical collaboration with Beijing. New Zealand officials whined about the absence of transparency in the procedure, indicating commitments to consult on matters of security. Presently, China's on-the-ground training in transnational waters between New Zealand and Australia has incited reactions across the region. Providing little notification, the trainings compelled commercial carriers to deviate, amplifying apprehensions about China's combative attitude. Notwithstanding these episodes, Peters stressed New Zealand's method of upholding open negotiations. 'We made sure that they understood what our position was,' he said of current discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. 'If you can't talk frankly to them, it's not a great relationship—but we've got a good relationship … because we can say what we think.' Australia–New Zealand unity in uncertain times As Peters prepares to meet with Penny Wong in Adelaide for the two countries' standard foreign ministers' conferences, regional security and development will be in the limelight. With conventional Western impact in the Pacific progressively defied, Peters accentuated that collaboration between Australia and New Zealand has 'never been more important.' Both Peters and Wong have made all-embracing initiatives to reinforce bonds with smaller Pacific countries. 'You cannot do this over Zoom or correspondence—you've got to do it face-to-face,' Peters said, stressing the value of physical presence in regional peacekeeping. See also Erdogan to blame for Turkey's emerging market risks The risks are high. From the outcome of U.S. trade conflicts to China's increasing footprint and calculated boldness, Peters cautioned that the Pacific is undergoing its most ambiguous period since the culmination of the Second World War. With Beijing providing infrastructure and assistance to influence regional coalitions, Wellington and Canberra are competing to confirm their roles as reliable allies in a diplomatic, autonomous Pacific.
E&E News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
FEMA veteran tells Trump panel the agency is bureaucratic and slow
A longtime leader of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told senior Trump administration officials Tuesday that the agency has become increasingly bureaucratic and slow. Robert Fenton, a nonpolitical appointee who runs FEMA's Pacific regional office, said that since he started at FEMA in 1996, 'I've watched the agency take on more and more responsibility. That's come with greater and greater bureaucracy. 'Things that used to take me a month or two to do now take 18 months. That's pulled me away from supporting disasters,' Fenton told other members of a panel created by President Donald Trump to overhaul FEMA. Advertisement Fenton's remarks were the highlight of the inaugural meeting of Trump's FEMA Review Council, which has until Nov. 16 to give Trump a report on how to change the agency. His comments could carry particular weight because he is widely respected, has twice served as FEMA acting administrator during presidential transitions and oversees agency operations in four states including California.
