Cook Islands - flight
The Pacific Islands Forum chair Mark Brown says a flight from Nadi to Rarotonga will likely be put on by Fiji Airways for the Forum leaders meeting in November.
Brown, who is also the Cook Islands Prime Minister, said he is mindful some air links were still being re-established and the cost of travel is expensive following Covid-19.
He said the Cook Islands is looking at making travel easier for delegations.
Samoa - airport
The recent purchase of $1.4 million tālā worth of airport ground handling equipment is expected to improve the services at the Faleolo International Airport.
This follows Air New Zealand cancelling two widebody flights earlier this month.
The Samoa Observer reports Samoa Airways interim chief executive Fauo'o Fatu Tielu confirmed the purchases last week from China and they are also expecting some from Spain.
He said the equipment will upgrade ground services because the equipment at Faleolo is run down, and that was why it broke down recently.
Faleolo International Airport Photo: Facebook.com/Dida Clinton
Tonga - education
Tonga's foreign affairs minister says she was able to study in New Zealand because there were no fees at the time.
It follows Tonga's prime minister calling for international university fees to be scrapped for Pacific students.
Foreign minister Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu said the removal of international fees would make New Zealand education more accessible for the region.
Marshall Islands - election
Preparation is underway for the Marshall Islands national election, with staff from government entities and state-owned-enterprises getting training.
The Marshall Islands Journal reports the seminar featured two veteran electoral officials from Japan who shared their expertise with a large group who will be involved in the 2023 national election.
The national election will be held on November 20.
A referendum will also be held that day on several constitutional amendments.
Fiji - diarrhoea
Nearly 100 cases of diarrhoea have been reported in Fiji since August 20.
FBC News reports these cases were reported in the Balevuto medical area.
Two more cases have tested positive for the bacteria enteropathogenic E.coli and two cases tested positive for the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
The health ministry had earlier stated that one suspected case had tested positive for Shigella sonnei.
Chemical analysis of tap water - from the water supply scheme providing tap water to over 6,000 residents - shows all chemicals are within the normal range for drinking water standards.
The health ministry has four teams on the ground monitoring the situation, and contingency plans are in place to escalate the response if necessary.
Samoa - charged
Samoa Police have charged a matai from Lefagaoalii village with attempted murder in connection with a man who was hog-tied and carried out of his home for defying the village council.
Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said five other matai and six untitled men face lesser charges of assault and armed with a dangerous weapon.
The commissioner said police are considering additional charges.
The men are alleged to have bound the elderly man to a long wooden pole and carried him from his home after beating him, on orders from the village council.
The victim was taken to hospital with injuries from the beating.
