Briefs

American Samoa A runoff election is set for the American Samoa gubernatorial race after no candidate secured the required 50% majority. The team of Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Pulu Ae Ae Jr led with 42.4% of votes (4284),

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Briefs

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Star Marianas Air, a commuter airline that provides passenger and air cargo service in the Northern Marianas, plans to terminate its air services to these locations effective

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American Samoa Three doctors and one dentist have reportedly left American Samoa’s Department of Health and more may be leaving soon, as benefits under their contracts have not been honoured due to lack of funding.

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American Samoa American Samoa is working to establish and record physical addresses. Talanei News reports that the absence of official physical addresses or location identifiers for streets, households, business,

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American Samoa Concerns have been raised over conditions at Tafuna Prison. Samoa News reports that a hearing of the Senate Public Safety/Homeland Security Committee heard that the buildings are unfit for human

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Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas A special committee has been formed to look into the unpaid utility bills of the government of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, which has now ballooned to a whopping

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American Samoa American Samoa’s government has passed a bill that will prohibit the use of polystyrene foam containers, with fines of up to US$1000 for its importing, sale, and use. In 2019, a bill was drafted to

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American SamoaThe American Samoa government has announced that foreigners can now acquire or start a new limited liability company (LLC) in the territory. The announcement opens up opportunities for foreign

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American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s newest park is being developed on eight acres of government land in the village of Vaitogi. The Talanei reported that $839,340 has been spent on the project. It will include a 27-hole

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American Samoa American Samoa's new entry system for Samoan citizens went into effect on October 19. In September, the American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs proposed a change allowing Samoan citizens to travel to

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American Samoa A new interactive tool allowing stakeholders to assess the vulnerability to sea-level rise in American Samoa was launched on September 25. Samoa News reported The American Samoa Relative Sea Level Rise

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American SamoaGovernor Lemanu P. S. Mauga said, “the livelihoods of over 2000 workers at the canneries are at stake” over a proposed Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary. National Oceanic and Atmospheric

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American SamoaThe neighbour of an American Samoa House Representative was arrested over allegations of threats to burn down the Representative's house and shoot his family. It was alleged after further investigations

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American SamoaThe American Samoa government ordered the closure of all day care centres in the territory on June 14, until further notice to curb the spread of a respiratory virus. The closure was approved by Lt. Gov.

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American SamoaAmerican Samoa wants associate member status of the Pacific Islands Forum, after being an observer since 2011. Governor Lemanu Peleti Maunga said it was crucial for American Samoa to push for greater

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American SamoaAmerican Samoa has issued a public health emergency after an outbreak of measles has spread across the U.S. territory.  Dr Scott Anesi, the department’s lead epidemiologist, said 31 suspected cases

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American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s Department of Health says it will only allow school aged children who are vaccinated to attend school. This as neighbouring Samoa monitors several children suspected to have measles. The

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American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s criminal justice planning agency has been awarded US$431,794 in federal funds for crisis intervention and drug control efforts. Earlier this month, Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs,

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American SamoaAmerican Samoa’s Commerce Department has awarded Rescue Plan Act funds to support preparations for future public health emergencies. The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority was awarded US$2.8m

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American SamoaA new submarine cable between Samoa and American Samoa has been agreed, to further enhance Internet and communications connectivity. The MOU states that the cable will run between Upolu and Tutuila and

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American SamoaThe population of American Samoa has decreased below 50,000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s October update, the population count came to 49,710, far less than 56,084 recorded in 2010. The

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American SamoaA 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.

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American Samoa American Samoa has received two federal grants for its criminal justice system. The Byrne Grant – totalling US$467,587 – is to aid court efforts and crime prevention programs within the territory. The

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American Samoa Local inflation reached double digits in the first quarter of 2022. The rate was 11.6%, an increase from 9.7% at the end of 2021, says American Samoa’s Statistics and Analysis Division. Price rises were

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