A new bill looks to increase the penalty for crimes committed in CNMI schools, Samoa is likely to receive it's first Covid-19 vaccines soon, Tonga's royals open a new Emergency Coordination Centre in Vava'u and Samoa looks to e-commerce for an economic boost.
A CNMI classroom Photo: CNMI Public School System
Bill introduced to stiffen penalties for crimes committed in CNMI schools
Following years of burglaries at schools in the Northern Marianas, a bill has been introduced in the local Senate imposing higher mandatory sentences for crimes committed within schools and youth centres.
Under the bill, a person convicted of committing a crime against a person or property within a school or youth centre would be subject to a minimum prison term of at least half of the maximum term of the charge they are found guilty of, or five years, whichever is greater.
The prison term would be imposed without parole.
The bill's introduction follows the recent arrest of two men for allegedly robbing the Saipan International School and William Reyes Elementary School in early March.
Police claim Daniel Agulto and Edward Palacios Castro stole generators flat screen TVs, a projector and a speaker.
Samoa in store for vaccines
Samoa is likely to receive it's first batch of Covid-19 vaccines very soon.
Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi told TV3Samoa yesterday that 79,000 vaccines would arrive from New Zealand on the first consignment.
He said the implementation plan is in place and will see all front-line staff get the vaccine first and moving on to the more at risk age groups until everyone is vaccinated.
Tuilaepa said he was aware of people who have indicated they do not want to be vaccinated and warned the dangers that would pose for everyone.
New centre in Vava'u hopes to improve Tongan disaster response
Tonga's royals have opened a new Emergency Coordination Centre in Vava'u.
King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u opened the over 800-thousand dollar facility on Wednesday.
Matangi Tonga reported the centre aimed to strengthen resilience to disasters and climate change, by improving forecasting and response capacity.
Prime Minister Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa said as the country was highly vulnerable to natural disasters it was important to be prepared.
The two-storey centre was also equipped with four 25,000-litre water tanks and a generator for use during such events.
Samoa looks to e-commerce for economic boost
Samoa's government could get a boost of more than $US139 million from e-commerce if an ambitious new economic plan works.
The Samoa Observer newspaper reported the Samoa 2040 Plan predicted a huge economic boost if the right investments were made.
This is the first time the government introduced a 20 year financial plan which identified the digital economy, labour mobility, agriculture and fisheries and tourism as four pillars to focus on.
However the government warned that achieving such gains would require the country to improve infrastructure, digital literacy and business capacity for e-finance and logistics.
The plan said if opportunities were taken up, the digital economy could create 4,000 new jobs, including 1,200 in the communications and business service sector.
Tonga Met Service conducts community consultations around disaster warning system
Consultations by Tonga Meteorological Service are underway in Vava'u on a policy about early warning and preparedness for natural disasters.
Community input for the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System have already taken place in Tongatapu, 'Eua, Ha'apai, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi.
Director of Meteorology 'Ofa Fa'anunu told local media it's crucial for the policy to capture everyone's view on how to be better prepared for natural disasters.
They've acknowledged that there will be challenges implementing early warning systems in Vava'u and its communication because of it's location being one of the outer islands.
Tonga MET Service is also collecting traditional knowledge on weather and climate and raising disaster awareness in schools and communities.
They aim to complete consultation activities in April and submit a draft policy to cabinet for consideration and endorsement in May.