Papua - plane crash
Police in West Papua say six people died after an Air Cessna flight crashed in a mountainous region last week.
On board was the pilot, a co-pilot and four passengers.
The National Search and Rescue Agency team discovered the plane on fire in Mabualem, Yalimo.
Tabloid Jubi reports Papua Police spokesperson Senior Commander Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo saying the plane crashed 12km east of Elelim Airport.
Polynesia - Lapita
Lapita academics have gathered in Suva for the 10th International Lapita Conference.
Hosted by the University of the South Pacific, the conference features panels of experts sharing their research on Lapita - ancestors of modern Polynesians - and on the origins of the first settlers in the Pacific Islands.
It also features exhibits of Lapita pottery dating back 2000 years.
Fiji President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere paid tribute to the Lapita people at the conference.
"The outrigger canoe was used more 5000 years ago by courageous individuals who through trial and error took to the seas in search of new lands...(they) established a series of networks, and maintained ties through trade and ceremonial gift exchanges.
"We are proud descendents of these great navigators."
Solomons - covid probe
The Solomon Islands' Commissioner of Police has initiated an investigation into the report of the audit of covid-19 funds.
According to opposition leader Matthew Wale, the recently released audit report by the Office of the Auditor General contains serious financial mismanagement of covid-19 funds by the National Disaster Management Office and two government ministries.
Wale said the investigation is a step in the right direction.
Samoa - RSE scheme
Samoa's Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour has announced a revamp of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) policy.
The Samoa Observer reports the changes will allow district offices to select workers to join the seasonal programmes in Australia or New Zealand.
Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo said currently village agents deal with the seasonal work companies, rather than the Government, and this was causing problems.
David Kakiakia on a household visit to do water testing in Kiribati. Photo: Supplied/ChildFund
Kiribati - drought relief
The Government of Kiribati has received funding of $US8 million for drought relief from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The support comes after a state of emergency was declared last month in response to the persistent drought, which has exhausted rainwater supplies.
When there is no rain for a long period, underground well water becomes brackish, limiting access to safe and clean water.
French Polynesia/Cook islands - aviation
Air Tahiti has restarted flights from the capital Papeete to Rarotonga.
The French Polynesian carrier suspended the service in 2020 when the pandemic closed borders.
Air Tahiti, which started flying the route in 2007, will have two flights a week.
Air Rarotonga flies the route already once a week.
Fiji/Cook Islands - diplomatic relations
Fiji and the Cook Islands are finalising a draft Strategic Partnership Agreement after both country's Foreign Affairs secretaries met in Suva.
The Fiji government said the Cook Islands has reasserted its commitment to work closely with Fiji.
It said the Cook Islands wants to expand air and sea connectivity, promote trade and people-to- people links.
