Nauru

‘Solar Mamas’ are a group of nearly 30 rural women solar engineers from six African countries who have been trained under India’s developmental support for harnessing solar energy.

“Our collaboration in creating a Centre for Excellence in Information Technology in Nauru and our initiative in solar electrification of two hundred homes in Nauru through the training of “Solar Mamas” have been successful in enhancing our relationship in the field of IT, tele-medicine, tele-education and renewable energy,” said President Mukherjee in his message to the President of Nauru Baron Waqa.

President Waqa expressed the Government’s desire to work closely with the US Government “in developing and further strengthening the strong bonds of friendship and mutual cooperation between our two nations and peoples.”

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Nauru and personally, please accept, Mr. President our sincere best wishes for your personal good health and well-being and for the prosperity and happiness of the people of the United States of America,” the letter read.

More than 20 government departments and organisations participated in the march.

President Baron Waqa led an official party that reviewed the Independence Day parade in front of parliament house.

Congratulatory messages have been pouring in from leaders and organisations.

President of India ‏Pranab Mukherjee tweeted “warm greetings to Government and people of the Republic of Nauru on their National Day #PresidentMukherjee

In taking the oath Ms Hartman swears to “be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Nauru” and “will justly and faithfully carry out my duties as a Member of Parliament of Nauru.”

In her maiden speech last week during the adjournment debate Ms Hartman said she is indebted to her voters for their trust and comes to parliament with great hopes for Nauru.

“I will honour that trust by working hard to ensure your ideals are heard and represented and that the values and traditions of our great nation are respected and defended.

Media reports suggest that US President Donald Trump has today told Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that he will not quash the US refugee deal, but simple and important questions about the detail of the arrangements remain unanswered.

The two leaders reportedly also committed to work together to improve global stability, defeat Islamic State and prevent irregular and illegal immigration.

Shortly afterwards, the White House tweeted a photo of the call and released a statement.

Hartman is the new MP for the Ubenide constituency and is Nauru’s second woman parliamentarian in the current parliament.

She received an absolute majority of 817 votes to 696 votes tallied by Wawani Dowiyogo when the first, second, third, fourth and fifth preference votes were allocated during counting last night.

A total of 13 candidates are vying for the seat in parliament.

Voting was held from 9am to 6pm yesterday.

The seat was left vacant at the passing away of Health, Sports and Fisheries Minister Valdon Dowiyogo early last month.

Nominations for candidates are now open and they will close at 5pm on Thursday, January 5.

Proxy Nominations are also open and they will close at 9am on Wednesday, January 12.

Mobile Polling Applications will close at 9am on Tuesday, January 17.

Polling Day is scheduled to be held from 9am to 6pm on Thursday, January 19.

The parliamentary seat for Ubenide became vacant following the death of Minister for Health and Transport, Valdon Dowiyogo early in last month.

According to a RNZ report, an official with Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Jauhari said the purpose of the visit was to discuss how to increase bilateral relations.

He said the delegation met with Nauru President Baron Waqa and his cabinet, and discussed development in Indonesia, including in Papua region.

President Waqa invited Indonesia to attend celebrations for Nauru's 49th anniversary of independence at the end of January next year.

Among the delegation was an Indonesian government consultant on West Papuan affairs, Franzalbert Joku.

Justice Minister David Adeang said a recent report from Radio New Zealand about an "attack" on a refugee community in Nauru was not only 100 per cent false but "a blatant copy and paste from a media release of a refugee advocacy group well known for fabricating news for their own political agenda.”

"I don't know whether Radio New Zealand are incompetent or have some sort of agenda or both, but to reprint a false press release with no fact checking was irresponsible and shameful journalism."

Mr Adeang said that the alleged attack "simply did not happen."