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American Samoa - Prepared for potential US government shutdown
The American Samoa government is preparing in case of a US federal government shutdown on October 1, 2023.
The acting governor, Talauega Ale, says with federal funds playing a significant role in the territory's funding and cash flow, critical action needs to be taken.
He says each director has been asked to provide a detailed plan on how their department's operations would continue in the event of a federal government shutdown.
This plan needs to address the total number of federally funded personnel, the federal funds required for the monthly payroll, and the federal funds required to administer and operate the departments' programs.
Talauega also wants an estimate of how long the current federal funds can support payroll and operations if the shutdown goes ahead.
The directors have been told to work with the Treasury, Budget, Human Resources, and their federal grant partners to develop their departmental plan.
New Caledonia - Backès resigns
A prominent pro-France leader in New Caledonia, Sonia Backès, has resigned from the French government after a resounding defeat at France's Senatorial elections four days ago.
She is President of New Caledonia's Southern Province and a leading figure within New Caledonia's pro-France camp.
In July 2022, Ms Backès had been appointed assistant minister for Citizenship in French Prime minister Elisabeth Borne's government.
At the Senatorial poll on Sunday, she was vying for one of the two seats reserved for New Caledonia, but lost to Robert Xowie, a pro-independence indigenous Kanak leader from the FLNKS.
Solomon Islands - Sogavare snubs US-Pacific Summit
This week's US-Pacific Summit in Washington has been ridiculed by Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Mr Sogavare did not attend the summit, sending his foreign affairs permanent secretary Colin Beck instead.
During a press conference in Honiara the prime minister complained about leaders being given little time to be heard and said he avoided the summit because he didn't want to be lectured.
He said nothing had come out of an $US800 million dollar plus development pledge made by the US to Pacific leaders last year.
Palau - Independence celebrations get underway
Palau is preparing for its 29th anniversary of independence.
The Island Times reports the festivities kick off tonight with the Ms. Belau Pageant.
Palau's Independence Day on October 1st takes place at the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge, starting with a 5-kilometre walk/run activity.
The opening ceremony will start at 10AM Sunday, local time.
Major Independence Day activities include 16 states' dish tasting, a boat race, and fireworks.
Papua New Guinea - Refugees facing eviction
Refugees detained in Papua New Guinea by Australia have been told they will be evicted from their Australian-sponsored accommodation after bills were not paid.
The asylum seekers were formerly held in Australia's detention centre on Manus Island before it was ruled unlawful and ordered shut.
Around 70 refugees remain in PNG.
The Guardian reports refugees saying they have had services, such as electricity and television, cut off, and have been told they will be evicted because of mounting unpaid bills.
A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Home Affairs says the department does not have any role in the ongoing management of, or service delivery arrangements for, individuals remaining in PNG.
Fiji - Parents warned of rheumatic fever
Fijian parents are being urged to remain vigilant for rheumatic heart disease.
The Fiji Ministry of Health's rheumatic heart disease divisional coordinator, Poonam Pal, says it is a childhood illness and if not treated on time, it can be deadly.
She told FBC understanding that rheumatic heart disease is a condition that can be avoided, through proper preventative measures, is crucial for the Fijian populace.
Pooman Pal is calling on Fijians to get their children screened and be aware of the signs and symptoms of rheumatic heart disease.
Tonga - El Nino declared by Tonga Metservice
Tonga's Meterology Department has officially declared an El Nino event.
The Kingdom is expected to experience warmer temperatures and less rainfall from October to May.
More cyclones are also forecast this cyclone season, which runs from November to April.
The Department have made several recommendations, including using rainwater wisely.
Vanuatu and Australia have also officially declared El Nino, and the World Meteorlogical Organisation said in July El Niño conditions had developed in the tropical Pacific.