Southern Medicinal has converted the old Mataura paper mill into a medicinal cannabis and hemp growing, testing and processing facility. Photo: Supplied / Southern Medicinal
Northern Marianas Islands - cannabis
A government assistant has asked that all stakeholders work towards creating the required reforms to make the cannabis tourism industry a productive revenue source for the CNMI government.
The governor's special assistant for administration, Oscar M. Babauta Sr, recently wrote to cannabis stakeholders that the CNMI is in desperate need of a new revenue source.
He also reminded them the cannabis industry was initially created to be a revenue source.
He said the administration is spending over US$200,000 a year more on the marijuana industry than what is being collected in taxes and fees from the cannabis tourism sector.
Babauta said the CNMI is now in a "horse race" with Guam which has legalized recreational usage of cannabis.
Tonga - drugs
Over nine days to 17 August, Tonga police made 17 arrests over the alleged importation of methamphetamine.
Matangi Tonga reported charges also include the planned sale and distribution of the drug.
The Tonga Police Drugs Squad, in raids on 9, 13, 14 and 17 August, seized a total of 6.1 kilograms of the drug, believed to have imported from the United States.
The news outlet reported a customs officer, a prison officer, a prisoner, two Comanchero gang members and a local businessman, are among the suspects charged.
Guam - archbishop
Guam has officially installed a new archbishop who is tasked to finish the remaining parts of a sex abuse scandal.
The Archdiocese of Agana has officially installed Ryan Jimenez as Guam's new archbishop.
He is inheriting the tasks to complete the implementation of the settlement agreement between the archdiocese and over 250 former altar servers who sued, alleging sex abuse by clergy members.
The new archbishop acknowledged that church leaders disappointed, hurt and betrayed the community's trust.
Jimenez said a court order has mandated a financial trust to award the millions in settlement to abuse victims.
Financial challenges from this case have also led the church to sell property.
Pacific - fisheries
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) says it has completed a 12-day monitoring and surveillance programme.
The operation covered the combined Exclusive Economic Zones of 11 participating FFA members and adjacent high seas areas, covering approximately 18.2 million square kilometres.
FFA director general Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen said through comprehensive compliance checks of vessels and operators, "we are ensuring the effective management and preservation of our marine resources".
Papua New Guinea - tourism
Surveyed visitors to Papua New Guinea, from June to November 2023, gave a satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5.
This is according to a report from the Pacific Tourism Organisation.
The report said more than 60,000 visitors brought in an estimated US$182 million to Papua New Guinea.
Nine-hundred adults and 144 children contributed to the survey.
The top three purposes of visit were business or conference related, holiday and visiting friends and relatives
The report also highlighted areas for improvement, including airport services, safety and security, public services and infrastructure, and environmental cleanliness.
PNG Tourism Promotion Authority chief executive Eric Mossman Uvovo said by understanding visitor trends and economic impacts, they can tailor their marketing campaigns to attract more tourists.
It will also enable them to strengthen economic growth, and create more job opportunities for their people, he said.