Here's what is happening in news from around the Pacific today, Tuesday 15 December.
Dame Meg Taylor. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Forum meeting postponed
Tomorrow's Pacific Islands Forum Summit has now been postponed to next month.
This is after many of the leaders could not commit to this week's dates.
The virtual meeting, scheduled for 16-18 December, was expected to discuss how member states are coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The meeting was also to appoint the new Secretary-general.
Papua New Guinea's Dame Meg Taylor ends her tenure at the secretariat next month.
Tahiti Covid-19 death toll now 96
French Polynesia has recorded five more Covid-19 deaths, raising the toll to 96.
There are 60 people in hospital for covid-related symptoms with 22 of them in intensive care.
A total of 15,747 people have been infected since testing began in March.
French Polynesia has extended its curfew until mid-January but it will be shortened by one hour on Christmas Eve and on New Year's Eve.
All but 62 cases were detected after the borders were reopened in July and mandatory quarantine requirements were abolished in an effort to boost tourism and reignite the economy.
CNMI runs a Covid vaccination drill
The Northern Marianas has conducted a vaccination drill as it prepares to receive a shipment of the Covid-19 vaccine this month.
CNMI authorities say agencies are being readied to recieve the vaccine as early as this week.
Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation CEO Esther Muña says they received mock packaging in a delivery that was intended to make sure CHCC's receiving and storage processes were in tune with the arrival of the actual vaccines.
Earlier Governor Ralph Torres said the Covid-19 vaccine was not being made available to children just yet and the most important thing to do in order to protect the local population was still to continue social distancing, hand washing and the wearing of masks.
Samoa's Supreme Court overturns Speaker's ruling on seats
The Supreme Court in Samoa has overturned the Speaker of Parliament's decision to declare two seats vacant.
The seats of MPs Olo Fiti Vaai and Faumuina Wayne Fong were declared vacant after they switched political parties while sitting MPs.
But a panel of three justices yesterday declared the ruling invalid and unconstitutional.
The ruling clears the way for the two to return to parliament for today's final sitting of the year, where the government hopes to pass three controversial bills that would change the Land and Titles Court.
Ni-Vanuatu workers set to take up seasonal work in Australia
Eight-hundred workers from Vanuatu will travel to Australia to take up seasonal labour work in the next six weeks.
Australia's High Commissioner in Vanuatu, Sarah Dezoeten, said Australia was prepared to take on even more ni-Vanuatu workers in the new year.
Currently around 3,000 ni-Vanuatu are engaged in seasonal work in Australia.
Nightclub security guard charged with murder of patron
A security guard at a nightclub at Tuanaimato in Samoa has been arrested and charged with murder following the death of a man at the establishment last weekend.
TV1Samoa reported the 30 year old victim was at a company Christmas party at the club but it was not clear what happened.
Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil said the 24 year old security guard was now in custody at the Tanumalala Prison.
He urged the public to drink responsibly, especially during the festive season, adding that the club in question had been closed down while investigations continue.
Fuiavailili said more charges were likely against the security guard as the investigation continued.
