NZ/Pacific - meeting
New Zealand's minister for emergency management says its more important than ever to work together with Pacific Island countries to strengthen collective disaster resilience.
Kieran McAnulty departs Wellington today to meet with his ministerial counterparts in Fiji and Vanuatu.
McAnulty said they have a proud history of supporting each other whenever severe weather hits noting Fiji's recent assistance after Cyclone Gabrielle in Aotearoa and support provided to Vanuatu for back-to-back cyclones Judy and Kevin in March.
The minister will head to Suva first before going on to Port Vila spending some time with local disaster management teams as well as his ministerial engagements.
He said Fiji and Vanuatu have a wealth of experience in dealing with natural disasters such as cyclones, tsunami, and earthquakes and he is really looking forward to learning from them, and to seeing what help Aotearoa can offer.
Pacific - fisheries
The World Bank's Board of Directors has approved funding of $US9 million for a programme for Pacific fisheries.
The new program will work with the key regional fisheries' management body - the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency - to improve regional and national monitoring, control and surveillance activities to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The program is set to benefit regional and national fisheries officials with improved capacity and working conditions, while also supporting a healthier marine environment and increased food security for the countries covered under the program.
The World Bank's new fisheries program will work with the the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. Photo: Francisco Blaha
Tonga - remembered
Tongan paediatrician Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau is being remembered for her life of service.
The Pasifika Medical Association said Dr Fakaovikaetau dedicated her life to serving Tonga and the Pacific region.
The association said Dr Fakaovikaetau's 35-year career in paediatric health included establishing the "MAFU SAI" program which aimed to improve morbidity and decrease complications for children with rheumatic heart disease around the country.
Fiji - discharged
Fiji's minister for women Lynda Tabuya, who was charged in relation to alleged vote buying last year, has been discharged by the Suva Magistrates Court.
FBC News reports Tabuya and Dan Lobendahn were both charged with prohibition of vote buying.
The country's anti-corruption agency filed a nolle prosequi - a formal statement of abandonment of a case - in court.
The agency's counsel informed the court they were facing difficulty in getting a statement from former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem as he has a pending investigation against him.
The counsel also informed the court they were also not able to authenticate the video submitted as evidence.
The pair were then discharged by the court.
Samoa - apologise
Samoa's Ministry of Health was forced to apologise after a 10-week-old infant baby was injected with an empty syringe.
Director General of Health Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma told the Samoa Observer newspaper the nurse had been "distracted" when the incident happened.
The baby's mother made a complaint and added her baby's leg was swollen and the baby wasn't eating after the injection.
But she said she appreciated the prompt action by the Health Director-General to respond to her queries and check on her baby.
Aiono said the nurse responsible was reminded to prioritise tasks and duties, focus on immediate tasks, double-checks vaccines before administration, and take recommended breaks.
Solomon Islands - police
Over $US800,000 in support has been delivered to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force by the Australian Federal Police.
The support package is a boost for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force - facilitating its security preparations for the Pacific Games in November.
The Solomon Star reports the package includes support in the form of inventory such as police uniforms, laptop computers as well as traffic and road safety equipment.
The assistance is provided via the RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Programme and Solomons' International Assistance Force.
In handover ceremony, Solomons Police Commissioner Mangau said the support exemplified the strong partnership and cooperation with the Australian Federal Police.
Solomon Islands - parliament
Solomon Islands High Court has heard a challenge to the extension of parliament.
Last September, Parliament amended the Constitution, resulting in the dissolution of the current term being deferred for seven months.
The prime minister said at the time the Solomons could not successfully host the national general elections and the Pacific Games in the same year, while its economy was still recovering from the impacts of Covid-19 and public unrest.
Tavuli News reports the leader of the Independent Group, John Dean Kuku, presented arguments through his lawyer, claiming that Parliament breached the constitutional process when passing the extension, leading to a seven-month delay for the elections.
The lawyers for the defendants in the case, including the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Governor General, have expressed their intention to file for a strike out of the case.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer ordered that the court reconvenes on August 31 for a full hearing on the appeal for the strike out.
Tonga - medical ship
A hospital ship from China has anchored in Nuku'alofa for its third visit where it will provide free medical services to Tongans until Friday, August 4.
It comes only days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Tonga, during which he expressed concern at China's influence in the Pacific.
Known as the "Peace Ark", the vessel belonging to the Chinese Navy, was received in a welcoming ceremony hosted by Tonga's Prime Minister Hu'akvameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni.
