Climate Emergency Declaration signed in Fiji
Pacific civil society representatives have signed the Kioa Climate Emergency Declaration.
The three-day consultations on Kioa Island in Fiji saw representatives of multiple groups make a united call for urgent climate action in the lead-up to Cop-27.
Photo: 350 Pacific
Among the calls in the declaration are greater action on mitigation, urgent action on adaptation including financing and support for community-led initiatives, and urgent progress on the issue of loss and damage.
The Declaration is accompanied by the Kioa Pledge, a commitment from civil society representatives present to provide resources and capacity to the communities they represent, clearing pathways to access climate finance.
Fishermen celebrate as power improves on atoll
A long-awaited electrical plant is now finished in the Tuamaotu archipelago in French Polynesia.
The 70 inhabitants of Raraka atoll had previously lived off solar power and petrol-driven electricity.
The project cost close to $US775,000 to build and was first pitched 40 years ago.
A fisherman and shop owner from the atoll, Joseph Tapi, told TNTV life is now cheaper for him.
"Its been years that we needed electricity and now we have it. Especially, for us fisherman, we need freezers to keep the fish. It's cheaper for us now and we have everything, freezers for the fish and for the shop."
Concern about deaths in Samoa
The Ministry of Police and Prisons in Samoa says the number of suicides in the last two years is highly concerning.
In the last two years, a total of 66 self-inflicted deaths have been recorded in the country.
Police Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo said that in 2021, a total of 14 people attempted to take their own life and 37 self-inflicted deaths were recorded.
For the first nine months of this year, their records show that seven attempted to take their lives and 29 self-inflicted deaths, according to their data collection.
However, under the Coroner's Act, suicides are not considered official as it is subject to the final findings of the coroner and only then it will be ruled as such.
US embassy confirmed for Nuku'alofa
Tonga's Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has confirmed the establishment of a United States Embassy in the Kingdom.
It comes as defence delegates from nine countries, including the United States, attend the annual South Pacific Defence Ministers in Nuku'alofa.
In July, US Vice President Kamala Harris announced intentions to establish an embassy in Tonga and Kiribati.
Many observers have called the move a reactionary measure against China, amidst geo-political tensions in the Pacific region.
Air gun seized at American Samoan public school
The Department of Public Safety in American Samoa has seized an air gun from a public school.
This was confirmed by police officers from a substation.
The air gun surfaced when a 10-year-old boy took it to school, but it was damaged and inoperable.
According to one police officer, live ammunition also found does not fit the air gun.
The officer said the parents of the child were taken into the Police Station in Tafuna for questioning.
Dialysis centre to open in Tonga soon
Tongan Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has confirmed a dialysis centre is set to be opened in the Kingdom next year.
Hu'akavameiliku said they are grateful "this important health service" will be available for locals who need it.
He added having said that, educating Tongans on diet etc will also be very important for combating diabetes.
High connection to digital world in CNMI
The Northern Mariana Islands boasts the highest percentage of computer use of any United States insular area, according to census figures.
Based on a report on the 2020 census, nearly 97 per cent of households in the Northern Marianas own a computer.
The US Congress has helped make this possible with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and annual school funding that increased in 2015.
More than 2,000 households are enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit program that Congress created in response to Covid-19 in 2021.