Photo: Hilaire Bule
Vanuatu - airline
The liquidators in charge of Air Vanuatu say the airline has received expressions of interest.
The airline entered liquidation on 9 May.
9 News reported liquidator Morgan Kelly, of Ernst and Young, said they have received interest from a range of parties seeking to resume Air Vanuatu's operations.
He said they are reviewing the offers and will be working towards a resolution as soon as possible.
Northern Marianas - vaccines
Pfizer has issued a warning relating to covid vaccines sent to the CNMI, Guam, Palau, Micronesia, and Alaskan cities.
The CNMI's Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation said this error is due to a vaccine temperature "excursion" - meaning vaccines reached temperatures outside of the recommended range during shipment.
This can affect the potency and effectiveness of vaccines.
Approximately 260 doses of the impacted vaccines were administered in the CNMI this year.
The vaccine manufacturer, the CDC, and the FDA recommended revaccination for those who received shots from the affected inventory, 'out of an abundance of caution'.
Papua New Guinea - infrastructure
Nine climate-resilient bridges - three in East Sepik Province and six in Madang Province - have been completed in Papua New Guinea.
EIB Global has invested about US$50 million to construct bridges, enhancing connectivity and safety across the rural road networks.
The Cotonou Investment Facility gave a €3 million technical assistance grant.
The work is part of the broader Bridge Replacement for Improved Rural Access project, co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and the Papua New Guinea government.
EIB said the project has improved the livelihoods of approximately 400,000 residents by easing access to markets and social services.
Solomon Islands - diplomacy
Solomon Islands' smallest province is moving towards formalising a new sister relationship with Hainan Province in China.
The recently elected Renbel and Bellona Province premier Derek Pongi told In-Depth Solomons he has adopted the national policy of friends to all, enemies to none.
The province has a population of just more than 3000 people.
Pongi said his province can work with Hainan when it comes to fisheries, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure.
Cook Islands - honours
The Cook Islands Government has announced four recipients of the 2024 King's Birthday Honours awards.
Three are women, honoured for their service to health, mental health, education, culture, and the community.
In a statement, Prime Minister Mark Brown officially congratulated the recipients who will receive their actual awards in person at the official ceremony next year.
The four recipients are:
Ritua Kathleen Rose Marie Koteka was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to health, the public and the community.
Mereana Taikoko was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to mental health care and awareness, and to the community.
Juliana Teinakore Etches, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the public service and community in the areas of education and culture.
Tutavake Tutai also received a BEM for services to the community.
