American Samoa
A U.S. Supreme Court on October 17 declined to consider whether American Samoans have full U.S citizenship at birth. American Samoans challenging the current law, in which they are considered U.S. “nationals” at birth but not citizens, say it is a “vestige of racist policies” toward territories. They say that the Court relied upon “Insular Cases”, a series of long-criticised early 20th century Supreme Court rulings. The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case means the lower court ruling remains in place.
Northern Marianas (CNMI)
Governor Ralph Torres has signed into law the Fiscal Year 2023 budget bill. The CNMI government will have at its disposal over US$140 million for government operations in the new fiscal year. There had been concerns of a partial government shutdown due to a disagreement between the House and Senate, but a last-minute decision sealed the deal.
Cook Islands
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has warned potential investors after a New Zealand bank discovered that a credible-looking climate change investment proposal turned out to be fake. As a result, a sum of NZ$100,000 about to be invested was blocked.
Federated States of Micronesia
FSM President David Panuelo announced on October 10 that proof of COVID-19 booster doses are no longer required prior to entering the territory. This amendment is now included in the government’s Healthy Border Protection Act. A person is considered “fully vaccinated” after they have received the second dose of an mRNA vaccine, such as the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the government said.
Fiji
Fijians will vote on December 14. The election date was announced in October, after many months of preparations. The election looks set to be a close run battle between the incumbent, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s Fiji First party, and former Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka’s People’s Alliance Party.
French Polynesia
Two Swedish men suspected of drug smuggling in French Polynesia have been summoned for trial on November 17 by the territory’s criminal court. Last month, 423 kilograms of cocaine was found on board their yacht by Tahiti border patrol. They were reportedly sailing from Panama to Australia. If convicted, they risk jail sentences of up to ten years and nearly US$10 million worth of fines.
Guam
Early voting for Guam’s elections is underway with 59,298 registered voters confirmed by the territory’s Election Commission. A “Great Debate” is scheduled to be held at the University of Guam on November 3 as “an opportunity for candidates to speak on their platforms and answer questions in front of an audience of 3,000 people and streamed live for the world,” a UOG release stated. November 8 is the main polling day.
Kiribati
4G-mobile network installations are underway in Kiribati’s outer islands: Kuria and Aranuka by mobile service provider, Ocean Link Limited (OLL). Towers, wireless base stations, and solar power systems were shipped to the locations. “Ocean Link is very proud that the two islands will be the first in the Pacific to enjoy the 4G-mobile service powered by solar power systems with Lithium batteries,” OLL CEO Huafeng Zhang told Radio Kiribati.
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands’ resolution to address human rights implications of its nuclear legacy has been adopted by the UN Human Rights Council at its 51st session. This is the first time that the United Nations recognises the “harm done” to the Marshallese people resulting from the 67 nuclear tests that were conducted on the territory before independence.
Nauru
Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong has announced education funding of at least AUD$20 million (US$12.6 million) over five years in Nauru focusing on “long term change”. Wong, who recently met representatives of Nauru’s new Cabinet, said Australia is committed to another decade of supporting Nauru’s education sector. The Minister adds that on the request of the Nauru government, the funding commences quickly, in November 2022.
Niue
The Niue government has announced its transition from “response” to “recovery” on its COVID-19 plans. The change comes as the government believes that “there is no indication that the virus will ever be eradicated from the world”. Therefore, it was adopting a “business as usual” approach, it said in a statement. According to WHO, there have been 85 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Niue since it was first reported in January 2020.
Palau
President of Palau, Surangel S. Whipps Jr has signed an air services agreement with Singapore’s Minister of Transport, S. Iswaran whereby “airlines can begin planning and preparing to fly directly between Singapore and Palau,” stated Whipps. The Open Skies agreement between Palau and Singapore allows airlines from either country to provide passenger and cargo services between the two countries and beyond. Currently, United Airlines and China Airlines are the two main airlines that transport travellers to and from Palau.
PNG
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund estimate that Papua New Guinea’s economy will pass K110billion (US$31 billion) in 2022. Prime Minister James Marape said in the last three years, the government has been working towards debt restructuring and reduction. The Bank of PNG reports PNG’s total debt at the end of June was K51billion (US$14 billion), and projects it will increase to K54billion (US$15 billion) by the end of the year.
Samoa
Samoa Opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi have been officially suspended from Parliament for two years. The House voted 29 – 19 in a secret ballot to uphold the Privileges and Ethics Committee Report to suspend the Human Rights Protection Party MPs. It is the second time the pair have been suspended based on the same court ruling, where they were convicted and discharged without punishment on contempt of court charges.
Solomon Islands
In Solomon Islands, the government has eased its COVID-19 restrictions for vaccinated travellers. The government has removed PCR testing for those who have had their primary series of jabs. Those who want to enter the country but do not have their shots need proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours, before arrival.
Tonga
The Tonga government is set to distribute humanitarian cash transfers of $1.5 million pa’anga (US$614,000) to support 3,000 tsunami-affected families in Tongatapu, ‘Eua, and Ha’apai. The cash transfers will be distributed to 750 affected households, and 2,467 people with disabilities, including 273 children with disabilities. Each beneficiary will receive two rounds of 200 pa’anga, while children with disabilities will receive 300 pa’anga.
Tuvalu
The Asian Development Bank has approved a US$30 million grant to boost regional connectivity of Tuvalu’s outer islands. The Tuvalu Strengthening Domestic Shipping Project will replace the Manu Folau, the existing passenger and cargo ship, with a new ship certified to international standards. The project will also rehabilitate the existing damaged port fenders at the Funafuti International Port to improve ship berthing safety, preventing damage to the wharf and ships calling at the port.
Vanuatu
None of Vanuatu’s major political parties who contested the snap elections on October 13 have secured the simple majority of the nation’s 52 member Parliament. Official results showed two political parties, Vanua’aku Pati and the Union of Moderate Parties each secured the highest number of seats (7). Others include: Leaders Party of Vanuatu (6), Reunification of Movement for Change (5), Graon mo Jastis Pati (4), National United Party (4) and Rural Development Party (4); People’s Progressive Party (2), Vanuatu National Development Party (2) and People’s Development Party (2), and remaining winning parties and Independents with one seat each. Vanuatu’s Parliament Clerk, Raymond Manuake has summoned Parliament to convene on November 4, 2022.
Wallis and Futuna
Wallisian Senator Mikaele Kulimoetoke has raised his concern in the French senate about the territory’s dire health services. He said locals have been waiting 17 years for proper government attention. Kulimoetoke has called on the French health department and congress to consider the “broken link” between the territory’s inhabitants and its local health agency as issues are “not heard” and health professionals are reportedly “fleeing the territory”. There is an urgent need for eight dialysis machines and a new vehicle for patients, the senator said.
