The US provides Palau with financial support in exchange for US military access to its territory. Photo: ABC/Supplied
Palau - refugees
A proposal from the United States to temporarily host asylum seekers in Palau has been met with resistance in the country's National Congress.
The Pacific Island Times reported the proposal, presented on 18 July, sought Palau's agreement to temporarily host people who were seeking asylum in the United States but cannot be returned to their country of origin.
Just one day after the proposal was presented, the leaders of both houses of the Olbiil Era Kelulau, or Senate, sent a joint letter to President Surangel Whipps Jr advising him not to proceed.
The letter said while Palau is a strong US ally, it cannot afford to overpromise or commit to something it cannot fulfill.
The Council of Chiefs, which advises the president and includes traditional leaders from Palau's 16 states, has echoed the congressional stance.
Palau does not have a legal framework on accommodating asylum seekers or refugees.
Tonga - travel
Allegations have been made of excessive travel spending by Tongan politicians.
Former Cabinet Minister ʻEtuate Lavulavu, who also operates a newspaper, sayid he has evidence that one minister received up to $5 million Tongan pa'anga, another received $2m, and a third received $1m in their travel packages.
Kaniva Tonga reported Lavulavu expressed concern not only about the alleged spending of taxpayers' money, but also about the financial struggles many people are facing.
Deputy Prime Minister Taniela Fusimālohi said the government's travel budget has often doubled or exceeded the allocated amount, as shown in official budget documents.
Papua New Guinea - transparency
Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) has welcomed the government signing a United Nations Transparency Pledge.
The UN Convention Against Corruption's Transparency Pledge is a voluntary commitment to meet minimum standards of transparency.
PNG signed it earlier this month in Vienna.
TIPNG helped develop the pledge and its chairman, Peter Aitsi, said by signing PNG is committing to continuing to include civil society in implementing and reviewing the country's progress on meeting its international obligations to address corruption.
He said this commitment builds on previous collaboration between Government and civil society.
Tonga - arrest
The US Department of Justice has announced the arrest of an American missionary to Tonga.
The accused was indicted by a federal grand jury on 16 July, on charges related to the exploitation of minors outside the United States.
According to court documents, the man traveled to Tonga for his mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and while there, he allegedly sexually abused minor boys.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Diplomatic Security Service are investigating the case, with the help of Tonga Police and the Tongan Department of Public Prosecutions.
Fiji - aerobridge
A Fiji Airways Boeing 737 MAX was damaged by an aerobridge at Brisbane's International Airport on Saturday.
The Brisbane Times reported that an aerobridge - the enclosed walkway which allows passengers into the plane - smashed into the cockpit's left-hand windscreen after the aircraft arrived from Nadi late at night.
All pasengers safely disembarked via the forward stairs.
A month ago, a Qantas Boeing 737 was damaged in similar circumstances at Brisbane International Airport, two months after an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 struck an aerobridge as it was being pushed back on the tarmac.
Papua New Guinea - mining
Investors in Japan have been invited to Papua New Guinea to explore mining opportunities.
The National newspaper reported 'OK Tedi Mining Limited' CEO Kedi Ilimbit saying at a seminar in Japan that this marks a new chapter in PNG's relationship with the country.
Prime Minister James Marape was also at the event.
The agenda included talks on PNG's so-called untapped mining and infrastructure along with social impacts and inclusive growth.
