There is a shortage of space for grave plots in the local cemetery Photo: RNZ Pacific / Hilaire Bule
Cook Islands - Budget
The Cook Islands Parliament has officially passed the Budget after a two-week session.
It was the first time the Budget had been referred to the Public Accounts Committee.
Cook Islands News reports each vote item of the Budget was then debated from June 19 through to last Thursday.
The Budget has an overall spend of $US199 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
PNG - cemetries
The Post Courier in Papua New Guinea reports that by the end of the year there will be no more land left in Port Moresby to bury the dead.
At the moment there is space for 200 more burials on an 800 hectare plot at 9-mile Cemetery.
With 10 deaths a week on average, the municipal authority has requested more land to be made available by traditional owners.
Solomon Islands - security treaty
Solomon Islands' prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has asked for a review of his nation's security treaty with Australia.
Australia's deputy prime minister and Minister of Defence, Richard Marles, was in the country last week.
Media reports Marles assured Sogavare of Australia's commitment to provide security at the Pacific Games, under the Solomon Islands Assistance Force.
Cook Islands - coastal erosion
The Cook Islands government is spending more than $US240,000 to research ways of tackling coastal erosion.
The Cook Islands News reports Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed the feasibility study in Parliament.
Brown said climate change is one of the significant causes of the country's erosion.
PNG/Indonesia - aviation
A direct flight has been established between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia's tourist hub.
Tourism officials attended a launching ceremony at the weekend at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.
It's been lauded by Bali authorities as sign of growing relations and tourism between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Solomon Islands - election
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister has announced further support to Solomon Islands' next General Election in 2024.
Around $US16.5 million has been given to help the Electoral Office with its preparations.
These include biometric voter registration and polling activities.
Tonga - quake
No tsunami alert was issued after a deep earthquake struck east of Fiji and north of Tonga on Sunday night.
The US Geological Survey recorded the quake was a magnitude 6.9, just before 11:30pm Tongan time, 134km north-west of Neiafu.
