Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Residents of Safata are reacting with relief and cautious optimism after being informed that the long-awaited $WST 10 million distribution will be released either this week or next.

The $10 million is the compensation paid by the New Zealand government for the damages caused by the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui in October 2024. The ship spilt more than 200,000 liters of diesel into the ocean and damaged 50,000 square meters of reef. A ban on fishing in the affected waters lasted for more than five months, impacting families whose main source of livelihood was fishing.

A villager mayor, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the funds are expected to be distributed either this Saturday or on Monday. 

With residents preparing to receive the funds, local shops and businesses are also anticipating a boost in activity as families plan how to use the money.

The $10 million allocation is part of a government assistance package introduced following a maritime incident that had a significant impact on Safata communities.

(Samoa Observer)

HONG KONG GOLD

A woman is being investigated after getting caught trying to smuggle gold in her bra at Port Moresby International Airport.

The Post-Courier reports that security officers foiled a female passenger bound for Hong Kong during regular screening.

The newspaper said the woman had a six-pack of gold coated in clay concealed under her bra.

During the incident she tried to bribe the screening officer and was detained by customs officials for further investigation.

(RNZ Pacific)

PACIFIC CORRUPTION

A regional academic has warned that the Pacific cannot achieve peace or prosperity unless it confronts corruption head-on.

Dr Shailendra Singh, the head of journalism at the University of the South Pacific, has described corruption as a "tapeworm" quietly draining the region's strength.

Islands Business reports he was speaking at the Teieniwa Vision Panel Discussion on Corruption, where the connection was made between corruption and poverty among other problems.

He said about one in every four people-in the Pacific live in poverty, and around 40 per cent of Pacific children are at risk of falling below the poverty line.

(RNZ Pacific)

PACIFIC OIL SHOCK

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the country is exploring how it can help protect Pacific nations from global oil shocks caused by the war in Iran.

Australian officials are wargaming what the crisis might mean for the Pacific, ABC reported.

Senator Penny Wong has told the ABC's AM program that the government had held "discussions" with Pacific nations about how Australia could help with future fuel shortages.

She said their first priority is to secure fuel supply for Australians but they continue to work with Pacific Island countries to see what Australia can do to support them.

(ABC Australia)

SALELESI DRUG RAID

Two men were arrested by the police on Monday afternoon in a drug raid conducted at Salelesi.

The raid took place around 4 pm in a continuation of the police’s war on drugs. The police found methamphetamine and smoking apparatus.

The two were taken to the police headquarters in Apia, where charges were laid. The two are being held in custody.

More than 100 individuals have been charged since the police operation began in December. The police are also publishing photographs of people who have been arrested in the raid.

Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga told the Samoa Observer earlier on Monday that the raids will continue.

He said it was an uphill battle, but they will carry on the drug raids.

The government has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the New Zealand government to help patrol the borders and provide resources and training in the fight against drugs.

Recently, the Pacific has seen large drug busts of cocaine headed for Australia and New Zealand by using narco-subs.

(Samoa Observer)

HAWAII FLOOD WATCH EXTENDED

A Flood Watch remains posted statewide through Friday evening.

Low pressure will continue to draw deep tropical moisture over the state today. Waves of heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding are expected Wednesday through the end of the week. SE winds may become strong as well.

On Thursday and Friday south to southeast winds could potentially gust in the 50 to 60 mph range for select downslope areas to the lee of terrain, with Kauai and Oahu at a greater risk.

(Hawaii News Now)

FUEL PRESSURE

New Zealand has called on the U.S to send fuel tankers to the Pacific to help alleviate some of the significant economic and fuel pressure caused by the war in the Middle East.

Winston Peters, New Zealand’s foreign minister, met the U.S secretary of state, Marco Rubio, in Washington on Tuesday, where they discussed bilateral relations, the war in Iran and the Pacific.

After the meeting, Peters said he had made sure the U.S understood the “significant economic impacts on New Zealand and Pacific arising from the war”.

“Not just the New Zealand economy, but to the Pacific economies that we have so much responsibility for,” Peters told the national broadcaster RNZ. “We left all that very clearly in their mind as concerns we had.”

They had had a “serious discussion” over how the U.S might help, Peters said, including asking the US to “get some ancillary tankers ready and get them to New Zealand to spread it around the Pacific as fast as we possibly can”.

Pacific nations are especially vulnerable to fuel supply disruptions and rising costs due to their reliance on imported fuel.

(PINA)