Guam Power Authority clearing trees and from powerlines after Typhoon Mawar in May 2023. Photo: Guam Power Authority
Guam business still hurting after Typhoon Mawar
Guam businesses have incurred damage ranging from $US10,000 to $2 million from Typhoon Mawar, with subsequent losses as a result of protracted power, water and internet outages.
The Pacific Island Times reports this is according to a survey conducted by the Guam Chamber of Commerce with 97 companies responding to the poll.
Chamber president Catherine Castro said member businesses reported access to diesel fuel and gasoline right after the storm caused confusion and disruption in their business operations.
Results of the survey, which was conducted between May 30th and June 9th, revealed 53 percent of Guam businesses were able to operate their businesses after the storm; while 30 percent opened with limited hours, and 17 percent remained closed.
To help augment business recovery efforts from Covid-19 and typhoon Mawar, the Guam Visitors Bureau launched a Tourism Assistance Programme last week.
French Polynesia - Top cop accused of harassment
The commander of the French national police in French Polynesia Mario Banner-Martin will be replaced as he faces accusations of harassing two female officers.
While being on sick leave, his functions are being taken over by the head of the border police Philippe Babdor and a senior officer sent from France, Christian Nussbaum.
However, the French newspaper Le Parisien reported that Banner-Martin, who is the first Polynesian to run a French agency in the territory, won't be returning to his job.
Earlier, the then president Edouard Fritch had asked the French interior minister Gerald Darmanin to desist from moving against Banner-Martin.
The lawyer of the two women Thibaut Millet denounced the move and alleged that there was inaction to shield Banner-Martin.
Tongan Princess, Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku'aho, has been appointed as Tonga's new Ambassador to Thailand.
Also the Ambassador to Australia, Ms Tuku'ahoa will serve her term from Canberra.
She presented her credentials to the Thai King at his palace in Bangkok.
The Royal families of Tonga and Thailand share a close friendship, with representatives regularly invited to national events between both countries.
Samoa - Judge raises safety concerns for young girls
A Supreme Court Justice in Samoa has raised concerns about the safety of young girls using public transport after sentencing a man for an indecent assault on a bus.
The Samoa Observer reports Justice Niavā Mata Tuatagaloa saying the assault of a young girl was "offensive, gross, uncultured, and ill-mannered".
The incident occurred on March 1st, when the victim was on her way to school and had to sit on the defendant's lap, as the bus was full.
The judge said the defendant as a Samoan male should have shown respect to the victim, not only as a female but someone he is not related to and given up his seat for her, but instead, he indecently touched her.
The man was sentenced to 3 months' imprisonment for each charge of indecent assault to be served concurrently, minus any time already spent in custody.
Justice Niava warned the courts will take a strong stance against such behaviour for the safety of young girls and women.
Northern Marianas - Governor Palacios lifts price freeze
Northern Marianas governor Arnold Palacios has lifted the price freeze put in place to prevent price gouging.
This comes about a month after Typhoon Mawar gave a glancing blow to the islands.
Governor Palacios said he rescinded the price freeze because the territory is no longer under an emergency declaration and the threat of shortages and price gouging has gone.
Mawar's powerful winds and strong rains in late May largely spared the Marianas, but severely damaged Guam's power systems.
Guam - funding boost for missile defense systems
Guam may see about $US100 million more for missile defense systems in the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, bringing the total to almost $500 million.
The Guam Daily Post reports US President Joe Biden had requested $397 million for the missile defense system, while the US Indo-Pacific Command recommended $544 million, which led Guam delegate James Moylan to seek a budget increase of $147 million.
James Moylan said the federal debt ceiling issue affected the original budget hike request, but he nonetheless commended the $100 million increase as "very monumental" for Guam and the region.
He also noted there are opportunities for additional federal funding for fiscal year 2025.
Tonga - NZ medical team visits the kingdom
A team of gynaecology and oncology specialists has been sent to Tonga, from the Western Pacific Gynaecological Oncology Liaison.
This was part of the NZ Medical Treatment Scheme.
Liaison Chair and Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) member, Dr Michael Burling, said their visit to Tonga was to assess the current level of care provided to women with gynaecological cancers in the region.
He said they would be working closely with the national health staff in Tonga to identify areas where they can provide support through education and surgical training .
Dr Burling said another objective of the visit is to explore areas of research where they can contribute and facilitate advancements in gynecologic oncology.
Samoa - IFC to invest in National Bank of Samoa
The International Finance Corporation is to invest up to $4 million US dollars in the National Bank of Samoa as part of efforts to boost access to finance for small and medium businesses.
The investment comes in the form of an eight-year unfunded risk-sharing facility.
This is expected to help foster financial inclusion while also supporting the creation of thousands of jobs.
IFC and NBS each will cover up to 50 percent of the principal losses, in an up to $8 million US-dollar portfolio of SME loans to be originated by NBS.