August 5 Pacific News Brief

photo: Unsplash/American Public Power Association

Fiji – Borders

Fiji’s internal affairs minister says the recent seizure of 14.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, which was shipped from Canada to Australia via Fiji, shows that Fiji needs to strengthen its border controls.

A Canadian citizen has been arrested with drugs hidden in plastic packaging and wrapped in towels soaked in vinegar and coffee beans, Australian Federal Police say.

Fiji Live Pio Tikoduadua said that although Fiji was only a transit point for the epidemic, it still highlighted the need for the country to strengthen border protection, the report said.

He said the lengths criminals go to to hide drugs highlighted the stringency of border controls and the cooperation between international border authorities.

Palau – Solar Energy

Palau President Soulanger Whipps said the government was working to manage the influx of solar power.

this Island Times The president reportedly asked neighboring countries to impose a moratorium on new solar projects.

President Whipps told a news conference that they had met with Japan, Taiwan and Australia “to ask them to temporarily stop any other new solar projects because if we add new solar projects to the grid now, we will not be able to handle it”.

Whipps said Palau faces challenges integrating renewable energy into its grid due to a lack of adequate battery storage.

Australia has pledged $5 million to help build battery production capacity.

The president said Palau’s electricity consumption has fallen despite earlier predictions that energy demand would increase; the island is producing more solar energy than it can consume.

Papua New Guinea – Economy

Papua New Guinea’s South Pacific Bank said the so-called “Black Wednesday” unrest in Port Moresby in January had severely impacted business confidence this year.

In its Pacific Quarterly Economics and Market Pulse For the June 2024 quarter, the bank said activity had been subdued till the end of the second quarter.

this Post Express The central bank reportedly said employment declined in the South and Islands regions and the National Capital Region, while it increased in Mamos and the Highlands.

Meanwhile, the bank said the Porgera mine in Enga province might not achieve its full production target this quarter due to a landslide at Mulitaka.

Samoa – Amnesty

Samoa’s prime minister and police hope people will take full advantage of the country’s gun amnesty policy.

The gun amnesty scheme was launched on August 1 to improve public safety and enhance compliance with gun handling ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

From August 1 to September 30, people can return illegal guns and ammunition without fear of being charged.

At the launch of the campaign, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of public safety and removing illegal firearms and ammunition from the streets.

“Samoa will host CHOGM this October and as the new Chair, the safety of all world leaders attending CHOGM is of paramount importance,” said Mata’afa.

American Samoa – Drugs

A woman who picked up a package of methamphetamine at a post office has been charged.

Police said the meth found in the boxes the woman collected weighed about 18 kilograms (39.9 pounds).

The woman was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a controlled substance.

Postal Customs officers were praised for intercepting the drugs.

New Zealand – Cook Islands Language Week

The Cook Islands community in New Zealand is leading the “Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Airani – Cook Islands Māori Language Week”, which runs until 10 August.

This year’s theme is “Atui’ia au ki vaka o toku matakeinanga,” or “the canoe that connects me to my tribe.”

UNESCO reports that Kuki’ailani, the Maori language, is one of the endangered languages ​​featured in the Pacific Languages ​​Week series of events supported by the Ministry of Pacific Peoples.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Geraldine Clifford Lidstone said this week was an opportunity for everyone to support their community and strengthen their own language skills by learning a phrase or two.