Marianas renews covid emergency orders
The Northern Mariana Islands Governor has renewed two executive orders that had been in place since 2020, declaring a State of Public Health Emergency for the entire nation due to the threat posed by covid-19.
Photo: Mark Rabago
The first order declares a State of Public Health Emergency and State of Significant Emergency establishing response, quarantine, and preventive containment measures containing covid.
The second orders the CNMI Homeland Security & Emergency Management Office to undertake necessary containment measures by means of the development of emergency directives to protect the health and safety of the public.
Arnold Palacios noted the US Department of Health and Human Services renewed its covid public health emergency on January 11, indicating that federal public health officials still see the pandemic as a threat to public health.
Double murderer sentenced in Samoa
A man in Samoa has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in jail for two convictions of manslaughter, after two people died on New Year's Day 2021.
Fa'alavaau Vaotuua Auleoleo Neemia, 69, told the court that one of the victims, Utufua Voi, swore at him, formed a roadblock with his friends to stop his car, approached him while holding a beer bottle, and punched him.
An angry Neemia walked over to the home of Utufua and saw the other victim, Elisara Fata, running toward him, and shot him.
Then on his way home Neemia saw Utufua and shot him too.
The accused said he was provoked.
Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren pointed out that even if she accepted there was some degree of provocation from Utufua, the violent response by the defendant was overwhelmingly disproportionate.
Six people jailed for drug trafficking
Six people in French Polynesia have been given jail sentences for importing methamphetamine through the mail system in 2019.
They were given up to three years in prison for sending about 50 envelopes with small quantities of the drug from the United States to Tahiti.
All of them had part or all of their sentences suspended but risk up to 20 years if they re-offend.
Two of those convicted were employees of the local post office who were found to be accomplices.
The two, whose lawyer says they were involved after being threatened by the ringleader, have received suspended sentences.
Timor-Leste to get full membership of ASEAN
Indonesia, as the chair of ASEAN this year, is preparing a road map to support the full membership of Timor-Leste into the regional association.
The Antara news agency reports Indonesian President Joko Widodo made the announcement in a joint statement with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in West Java province this week.
Widodo says he is pleased with the acceptance of Timor-Leste as a member of ASEAN, in accordance with the results of the ASEAN Summit 2022 in Cambodia.
Foreign Affairs Minister of Timor-Leste, Adaljiza Magno, described joining the body as a very important moment in the country's history.
She said Timor-Leste supports ASEAN as a centre for growth, in accordance with the theme of Indonesia's 2023 ASEAN chairmanship.
PNG minister looking to increase seasonal worker quota
The Papua New Guinea government is looking at increasing and boosting its seasonal workers quota in New Zealand from the current 100.
This is according to Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko, who has recently met with New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
The Post Courier reports that in their meeting, both leaders progressed their talks on the Labour Mobility Programme.
Tkatchenko said the Department of Labour, Immigration and Foreign Affairs is handling this programme and it is anticipated the quota will increase.
Port Vila pauses passport pass out till July
The Vanuatu government has suspended giving new passports to seasonal workers effective immediately until July.
The Daily Post reports the Minister of Internal Affairs Christophe Emelee as saying the decision was made to allow enough time for 6000 new passport holders to be engaged in either the RSE scheme or the Seasonal Workers Program (SPW).
High demand and a large number of new passports being issued are among reasons why the suspension has been put in place.
Emelee has called on the Department of Labour and the Department of Immigration to look into registering the six-thousand new passport holders into the Work Ready Pool database to allow employers to recruit potential workers.