Photo: RNZ Pacific / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Samoa - drowning
An 85-year-old Australian female tourist has drowned while on holiday at Lalomanu, Samoa.
The Samoa Observer reports Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, saying they have contacted the Australian authorities about the death.
Auapaau says the woman stayed at the Faofao Beach Fales, where they had a swim at the beach resulting in the drowning.
It is believed she had swum further into the deep and got into trouble.
PNG/Indonesia - illegal fishing
The Indonesian Embassy has repatriated 28 Indonesian fisherman arrested for illegal fishing in Papua New Guinea waters.
Antara reports their ship caught 49 tons of fish before being captured in the PNG waters on June 6 for allegedly violating territorial boundaries and illegal fishing.
The entire crew of the ship had to undergo the legal process in PNG, and they were fined and sanctioned a subsidiary prison term.
The embassy had also encouraged the ship company to provide legal service and be responsible for legal consequences set by the courts in PNG.
Samoa - theft
Sixteen security officers with the Samoa Ports Authority have been suspended pending an investigation of claims of theft.
The Authority says the claims of theft come from companies storing containers at the Apia International Port.
It says the matter is being investigated by the Ministry of Police and Prisons.
Samoa - ferry grounding
The Samoa Government says an investigation is underway into the grounding of the ferry Fasefulu at the entrance of Salelologa Channel on Monday.
The government says the vessel was freed from its grounded position by Monday night after ballast and fuel were moved to lighten its load.
Once moved the vehicles on board were offloaded, the vessel was made watertight and was able to return to Apia.
A preliminary assessment has determined that there is no major damage, but a more thorough investigation is being carried out by the Marine Division of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
Cook Islands - rats
An operation to exterminate rats from Palmerston Island atoll in the Cook Islands is underway.
Workers from New Zealand's Department of Conservation are on the atoll where they have mapped out areas to lay anti-coagulant baits.
Palmerston Island executive officer, Arthur Neale said the bait-laying stage of the operation is planned for this week.
The atoll made up of 15 islets, and has a population of just under 50 people.
Vanuatu - road offences
Vanautu is imposing tougher laws on a range of drunk driving and traffic infringements.
Under a new Road Traffic Order, anyone caught driving under the influence of alcohol will be subject to a fine of 50,000 Vatu (about $US400).
Minister of Internal Affairs, Rich Tchamako Mahe, has signed in the new law, which also introduced a fine of over $US500 for driving while disqualified and over $100 for speeding.
Pacific - agriculture
Plant pathologists and lab technicians from The Pacific Community and Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture have undergone training to screen for a plant disease that affects two key Pacific crops - yam and chili.
Anthracnose disease is one of the major economic constraints to chilli and yam production globally, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.
Anthracnose is a term used to loosely describe a group of related diseases that typically cause dark lesions on leaves, caused by a fungal pathogen.
