Pens and pencils in a classroom. Photo: Unpslash/ Laura Rivera
American Samoa - education
The start date for the school year in American Samoa has been moved until next Monday.
The Department of Education stated this is to ensure that students' return to schools that are not only safe from a continued rise in dengue fever, but also to address both health concerns and the readiness of school facilities.
A recent update on dengue in the territory said that total case numbers had reached 81 as of 29 August.
Vanuatu - drugs
More than 450 kilograms of cocaine has been seized in Vanuatu from a yacht on 28 August.
Internal Affairs Minister, Andrew Napuat, confirmed that three crew members - one Chinese national and two Turkish nationals - were detained.
Napuat said police and customs officials, working with the Criminal Investigation Department, have submitted initial findings and have requested help from the Australian Federal Police.
The vessel first came to authorities' attention on 7 August, when residents of Gaua reported sighting it off the island's coast.
Police in Sola responded and began investigating, suspecting illicit activity.
Fiji - theft
A man in Fiji has been sentenced to eight months in jail for stealing butter from a supermarket in Suva.
Fijivillage.com reported that Abdul Shafil stole eight 500-gram packs worth around NZ$85.
Magistrate Yogesh Prasad declined to impose a suspended sentence, saying first offenders needed to understand the consequences of their actions.
Shafil had pleaded guilty and told the court he took the butter to sell in exchange for baby essentials.
Vanuatu - health
Vanuatu's Ik-Kana Cancer Foundation President is encouraged at the detection of more cases of cervical cancer.
A 55-day awareness campaign on cervical cancer, the largest campaign to date, is set to get underway.
Max Albert said as efforts to eliminate cervical cancer and prevention programs expand, more cases have been found - a sign that early detection and awareness efforts are working.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported the programme is targeting 60 schools and 50 communities across Efate and its offshore islands.
