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Troops accused of sleeping on the job at Camp Bastion

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, Oct. 2, 2013) – Tongan soldiers serving in Afghanistan have been criticized in US media reports this week, following a US military investigation into security failures at Camp Bastion during an attack by Taliban insurgents last year.

The criticisms appear in reports of the sacking of two US generals for failing to secure the military base in southwestern Afghanistan after it was penetrated by 15 Taliban fighters last year. The September 14-15, 2012 attack resulted in the deaths of two Marines and the destruction of $200 million worth of aircraft, including six Harrier fighter jets.

Reduced personnel numbers and judgment error was blamed for the security failure. On the night of the attack, according to media reports, a watchtower closest to the Taliban breach was left unmanned by Tongan soldiers assigned to it.

An American newspaper...

Government said to be prioritizing development goals

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Oct. 2, 2013) – Fiji’s Permanent Secretary of Finance Filimone Waqabaca says preparation of the 2014 budget is on track.

He said the distribution of funds will be in accordance with goals of the country’s economy.

"There are ministries and departments that are asking for increased funding, but government will be prioritising on areas that are critical and in line with development goals of the economy," Waqabaca said.

"We have received and collated all submissions from the ministries and department. That closed a few weeks ago.

"Normally we’d give the ministries allocations and ask them to work within that. But, then are certain ministries who come back to us and ask for increased funding for special projects that they may have.

"We then invite these ministries back to make presentations on these projects that they think are priorities and which needs funding."...

Disbursement hinges on approval of joint House resolution

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Oct. 3, 2013) – Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund members who decided to end their defined benefit plan membership should expect the release of their remaining employee contributions in early November, the Inos administration said yesterday.

But the release date could still be delayed depending on the Legislature’s action, especially with the Senate’s passage yesterday afternoon of a "substitute" version of a House joint resolution.

House Joint Resolution 18-10, House Draft 1, Senate Substitute 1 still has to go back to the House for approval before the measure is considered as the Legislature’s formal acknowledgement and approval of the final disbursement of the DB employee contributions.

Press secretary Angel Demapan, when asked for comment yesterday, said if the Legislature approves the settlement agreement on or before Nov. 1,...

Authorities want to warn of law changes, but no one showed up

By B. Chen

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, Oct. 1, 2013) – A meeting scheduled for yesterday at the Fagatogo Marketplace for commercial vehicle owners in American Samoa has been postponed until October 9.

The meeting, according to program coordinator for the Office of Highway Safety (OHS) Fred Scanlan, is to provide a forum for commercial vehicle owners to have their voices heard concerning new rulings that affect, among other things, aiga buses.

The Department of Commerce, the Department of Public Safety, Legal Affairs and OHS are collaborating to inform commercial vehicle owners of the rulings, to make sure they understand them, and to provide enforcement.

Not one commercial vehicle owner was present yesterday, hence the postponement.

"We are giving them another chance to show up and if they choose not to, then they shouldn’t complain when proposed laws that concern...