French Polynesia's ruling party suffers losses; large bomb removed in Solomon Islands; and agreement for new US embassy in Tonga
Ruling party in French Polynesia suffers significant resignations
Three senior members of French Polynesia's ruling Tapura Huiraatira party have jointly resigned amid unhappiness with the government's response to the pandemic.
Teva Rohfritsch, Nicole Bouteau and Philip Schyle have quit the party seven months before the territorial election.
Last month, Rohfritsch called for a government reshuffle, saying strong and brave measures were needed because the party keeps getting punished.
He pointed to the setback in June when the three Tapura candidates running for the French National Assembly were beaten by the three rivals of the pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira.
Bouteau resigned as tourism minister last year in protest at Fritch retaining Tearii Alpha as a minister, despite Alpha flouting vaccination laws.
Both Fritch and Alpha were fined for partying at a large wedding at last year, in defiance of restrictions imposed at the height of the pandemic.
Bouteau was one of the unsuccessful Tapura candidates in the June election.
Photo: supplied
Solomons police removes massive bomb from airstrip
The Solomon Islands bomb disposal team has removed a huge bomb at Taro airstrip in Choiseul.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force removed the 294kg bomb, which had been used by the United States during World War II.
The police has appealed to the communities in Taro township to help them render the site safe.
It has asked locals to be careful and to report any suspicious materials to the disposal team or the Taro police.
Tonga, US confirm new embassy in Nuku'alofa
United States Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, has met with regional leaders attending the Pacific Island Conference of Leaders in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Both Sherman and Tonga's Prime Minister, Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, confirmed in separate statements the establishment of a US embassy in the Kingdom.
US Department of State Spokesperson, Ned Price, said Sherman re-affirmed strengthening ties in dicussions with the Heads of State of Nauru, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands.
Volcanic activity reported in Tonga
The Tonga Geological Services has reported low-risk volcanic acitivty at a remote reef located between the island groups of Ha'apai and Vava'u.
The Reef, known as Home Reef, had been submerged until September 10, when it appeared above sea level.
Steam can be seen stretching up to 1km into the sky from Home Reef and mariners have been advised to stay 3km away from it.
The submergence is believed to be the result of underwater eruptions that have been ongoing since the 10th.
StarKist looking to Samoa for workers
Officials from StarKist, American Samoa's biggest employer, visited Samoa earlier this week to meet Cabinet Ministers about recruiting workers.
Samoa's Consul General Fata Brian Kaio, who was part of the delegation, said the StarKist delegation also visited the Australia Pacific Training Coalition, to make trade graduates aware of employment opportunities available at the firm.
He said the group also met with Minister of Public Enterprises, Leatinuu Wayne Sooialo, who is responsible for seasonal workers, and Leota Laki, who oversees the district councils that StarKist would like to use for recruitment.
StarKist produces fish and meat items for the United States.
Air Vanuatu to 'borrow' Fiji Airways crew, aircraft
Arrangements has been made for Vanuatu's state-owned airline, Air Vanuatu, to use aircraft and crew from Fiji Airways while its ATR aircraft is undergoing its scheduled servicing.
The airline says the ATR will go to Singapore and be there for about four weeks.
Air Vanuatu says the partnership with Fiji Airways will include the aircraft, crew to operate it, and the support team from Fiji Airways, which will be based in Vanuatu.
The regular domestic schedule to Santo and Tanna will be maintained, but international services to Noumea and Fiji will be covered by partner airlines Air Calin and Fiji Airways while the ATR aircraft is unavailable.
Holiday and memorial service to Queen in Cook Islands
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced that the country will mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II with a National Memorial Service and a one-off public holiday on Friday, September 30.
The Memorial Service will be held in the National Auditorium and will be live streamed.
Brown said the service will be held in the morning, prior to the opening of the Cook Islands Games later that same day.
He said as their much-loved Queen, who left behind an enormous legacy of dedicated service to her subjects including Cook Islanders, Cabinet felt it was appropriate to honour her in this way.