(file image) Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Cook Islands - asbestos
A mission to remove asbestos from the old post office in the Cook Islands at a cost of NZ$400,000 is underway.
Traces of asbestos were discovered in July last year which saw the decades-old building shut down and more than 50 staff members relocated.
A team of 10 from the Cook Islands Investment Corporation will remove 600 square metres of asbestos roofing.
It is expected to take up to six weeks to remove all the contaminated material.
Kiribati - boats
No concerns were reported after the US Coast Guard and Kiribati police boarded two Chinese fishing boats, during a routine patrol.
A US Coast Guard Guam spokeswoman said Kiribati police officers were on patrol with the Coast Guard as "ship riders" for the first time in almost a decade.
She said the two China-flagged fishing vessels were boarded as part of routine maritime law enforcement activities, to ensure compliance with regulations within the Kiribati Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Kiribati president's office and Chinese embassy did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.
American Samoa - study
The American Samoa Power Authority has been given US$1.8 millionhas been given to the to conduct a water supply study on its the largest island, Tutuila.
The Power Authority is in charge of the water supply infrastructure on the island, which is susceptible to saltwater intrusion.
The partnership with the US Bureau of Reclamation looks to identify ways to adapt to the effects of climate change and rising sea levels, to ensure a resilient water supply for future generations.
Vanuatu - airport
Vanuatu's government has set aside V$300 million (US$2.5m) to upgrade three airports to C standard.
The finance minister made the announcement in his budget speech.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reports the upgrades are for Valesdir on Epi, Olal on Ambrym, and Malolo (Maewo).
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu said category C airports have uncertified scheduled commercial transport operations.
Vanuatu - mining
Vanuatu's minister of lands and natural resources says mining companies need to be held accountable for restoring the site once they are finished with it.
Concerns have been raised in Parliament about the lack of rehabilitation efforts at quarry sites on Efate, following completion of mining.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reports Rich Tchamako Mahe tabled a bill for the Quarry (Amendment) Act in Parliament, saying the amendment is required to address loopholes and effectively manage resources.
He said prior to applying for a permit, companies should have a restoration plan in place.
The Bill for the Quarry (Amendment) Act was passed unanimously.
Marshall Islands - fraud
The Marshall Islands auditor-general Junior Patrick says they are reviewing allegations of fraud.
Patrick said during the July to December period last year, they recorded eight new complaints and allegations, involving public officials and government employees.
He said the allegations relate to abuse of office, cyber harassment, cheque forgery, tax evasion, theft, and misappropriation of public funds and assets.
Guam - declaration
Speaker Therese Terlaje has written to the Acting Governor requesting a state of emergency to be declared in light of what have been described as "concerning" child welfare issues.
The Pacific Daily News reports there are 655 children under Child Protective Services custody.
The Speaker said on top of that there have been more than two-thousand referrals of children that have been allegedly abused or neglected.
She said in 2021 the governor Lou Leon Guerrero declared a state of emergency when the agency had just over one-thousand referrals, the figure is now double that.
She added the agency has told her they are severely understaffed and working double shifts on the regular.
Pacific - life
The life expectancy for people in French Polynesia, Vanuatu and New Caledonia has shot up over the last few decades.
The island nations had the largest spike in the Pacific.
Vanuatu MP Ralph Regenvanu says it's good news to see Vanuatu listed as one of 15 countries worldwide with the biggest increases of life expectancy at birth.
The World Bank statistics show there has been an average jump of around 20 percent with French Polynesia sitting on a 21 percent increase.
