Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Lydia Lewis
Fiji - casino license
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced no casino license would be issued until his government developed a legal framework.
This follows a proposed FJD$2-billion casino development deal.
According to FBC News, the casino would be built through a partnership between a local Fijian consultancy and a Chinese investment company.
Rabuka said in a press conference that his government would develop a comprehensive guideline.
"Before any discussion on the matter, the coalition government would need to develop a clear and robust casino license guidelines following comprehensive consultations with all stakeholders."
Cook Islands - water
Rarotonga's water authority To Tatou Vai is asking the tourism industry to conserve water as the island grapples with a shortage.
Cook Islands News reports the catchments are at about 65 percent of their capacity, which means there's not enough water pressure to reach the entire island.
A spokesperson for To Tatou Vai said it's in everyone's best interest to conserve water during the dry spell.
The spokesperson said there have been some reports of resorts refilling their pools.
American Samoa - immigration breaches
Samoa Airways has settled a US$1500 fine with the American Samoa Government over immigration breaches.
Two passengers had been allowed to board planes without the correct documentation.
The interim CEO for the airline, Fauo'o Fatu Tielu, told the Samoa Observer that the airline has also provided additional training to staff to ensure they avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
The staff members who allowed the passengers to travel were suspended without pay and warned that their services would be terminated immediately if it happened again.
Samoa - Covid-19 cases
The Samoa Ministry of Health says recent 'sporadic' cases of dengue fever are no cause for concern.
TV1Samoa News reports deputy CEO Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen told local media on December 27 that there were 9 confirmed cases of the mosquito borne virus.
In 2017, cases reached a peak of more than 15-hundred affected people and 4 people were confirmed dead.
Tagaloa said while there is no reason for widespread panic, people should still take preventive measures like keeping the environment clean and all receptacles that can collect water should be cleared.
He said there is a cycle of 4 to 5 years when the virus returns, but if people remain alert and maintain cleanliness, there should be no cause for alarm.
Samoa - health
Samoan children will be able to access free treatment in Fiji for congenital heart diseases at the Sanjeevani Children's Hospital from next August.
The hospital is run by the Sai Prema Foundation.
Samoa's Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma, told the Samoa Observer that while they welcomed the offer for treatment in Fiji the goal is to have treatment available in Samoa
The treatment in Fiji for Samoan children would mean the government can stop sending young patients to Starship Hospital in Auckland, which Aiono said is expensive.
He said they are also awaiting Cabinet approval to resume sending patients for treatment to India, which stopped after an MOU ended.
He added that Samoans still prefer treatment in New Zealand, which is expensive, but he said we will soon have no choice but to use what is available.
"We need to address that as a nation, as we cannot afford to keep sending patients overseas for treatment," he said.
