Palau
An inmate who escaped from custody in Palau
last month has been recaptured.
The Minister of
Justice told local media investigations are underway into
how the escape happened, and whether others were
involved.
The Island Times reported the
incident has renewed public concern about safety in Palau’s
prisons.
This follows heightened tensions after the
recent death of an inmate.
Samoa
Samoa’s
Ministry of Health has put out an urgent call for blood
donations.
In a post to social media on Monday, it
asked people to donate for critical patients in need at the
main hospital in Moto’otua.
People aged 18-65 and in
general good health are eligible to give blood, but
deferrals are applicable for factors such as pregnancy or
getting a piercing in the last three to six
months.
Tonga
A 20-year-old Tongan man has
been jailed for a violent machete attack that left his
victim permanently injured.
Kaniva Tonga
reported the high court sentenced Christopher ‘Opeti Tupe to
three years and four months in jail.
The attacked
followed a fight on ‘Eua island, leaving the victim with
serious injuries on his arm and wrist.
Solomon
Islands
The Solomon Islands government has signed a
$US10 million agreement with Saudi Arabia to support
renewable energy projects.
The Solomon Times
reported this is the first time the Saudi Fund for
Development has been implemented in the Pacific
region.
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Funding will go towards renewable energy
development, with a focus on sustainable and resilient
infrastructure.
Solomons Prime Minister Jeremiah
Manele said the agreement strengthens bilateral ties between
the two countries.
Fiji
An oil leak at the
Petro Oceania Fuels Terminal on Monday (5th NZT)
forced businesses in Suva’s industrial area to
close.
The Fiji Times reported roads were
blocked off as emergency crews worked to contain the
spill.
Authorities said the leak was isolated withing
the terminal and posed no threat to the wider
environment.
A full investigation to discover the
cause is underway.
Vanuatu
Three people,
including two children, have died in Vanuatu due to a house
fire on New Year’s Day.
The Vanuatu Daily Post
reported the fire broke out around 5am local time at a house
in the Agathis area of Port Vila.
Authorities believe
the fire was started by a candle, which ignited nearby items
and eventually reached a gas cylinder.
Solomon
Islands
Some teachers in Solomon Islands are unhappy
about discrepancies in how travel allowances for the
holidays have been paid out.
The Solomon Star
reported some teachers have received the entitlement in
full, while others have received either partial payments or
nothing at all.
Forms for holiday travel allowances
were issued in August and September with payments rolled out
from November to December.
Some of the affected
teachers have reported having to cancel their holiday plans
while others say they relied on their partners or even went
into debt to be able to visit their families in their home
provinces.
The paper approached the Ministry of
Education for comment.
Tonga
US Deputy
Secretary of State Christopher Landau has offered his
congratulations to Tonga’s new prime minister Lord
Fakafanua.
Landau said the two discussed private
sector-led economic growth in the island kingdom, as well as
illegal fishing and migration issues.
This comes after
the US suspended migration and visa applications for Tongan
nationals and citizens in the new year.
The Prime
Minister’s office has been approached for comment on the
visas.
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