Since November last year, a total of 468 laboratory confirmed dengue cases have been recorded in Samoa. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Vanuatu/China - agreement
Vanuatu and China are expected to sign an agreement later this year, which would allow Chinese planes to have direct flights between the two countries.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that the plans were mentioned during a meeting between Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and Shanghai's Mayor, Gong Zheng.
Prime Minister Saluwai said the formalisation of the Air Transport Agreement will open up markets for both countries.
The signing is set to take place in Port Villa in September.
Papua New Guinea - census
The official counting period for PNGs census has come to an end after a two week extension but the work is not over yet.
The National reported due to the remoteness of some locations and harsh weather conditions some provinces have requested another extension.
On Friday, the population count was sitting at 900,000 with the number expected to rise to a predicted 12 million people.
Administrative Services Minister, Richard Masere, said they were still waiting for confirmation on the final figures.
Masere said census workers used paper rather than tablets which has slowed down the process.
Samoa - dengue
Health officials in Samoa say that, in the latest reporting week through to 7 July, another 12 dengue fever cases have been recorded.
In total, since November last year, 468 laboratory confirmed dengue cases have been recorded.
Most cases continue to occur in and around Apia, with the 20-29 age group most affected.
The officials say no deaths have been reported but that two days of acute fever can occur.
Hawaii - RIMPAC
Preparations are underway for the world's largest maritime exercise led by the United States in and around Hawaii.
RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) is a biennial exercise involving 29 countries, including Australia and New Zealand, hosted by the US Navy, with a focus on maritime-based warfare.
About 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will take part later this month.
It is the 29th navy exercise in a series that began over four decades ago, in 1971. RIMPAC 2024 begins 26 July and goes on till 2 August.
The Chinese government has criticised RIMPAC, calling it an event that promotes war games and an alliance against China.
The excercise will be held from 27 July to 1 August.
Papua New Guinea - Namah
Long time Papua New Guinea MP, Belden Namah, is back in cabinet - for the first time in 12 years.
Prime Minister James Marape has added five new MPs to cabinet, with Namah becoming the Minister of Tourism Art, Culture and Border Security.
NBC reported the five MPs sworn in this week also include Thomas Opa, as Energy and caretaker Petroleum Minister, Kinoka Feo in Higher Education, the new Finance Minister is Mikki Kaeok while Dr Kobby Bomarea has been reappointed to Housing.
Samoa - benefit
The number of people registered for the Samoa government monthly disability benefit has more than doubled since May 2022.
The Samoa Observer reported Minister of Women, Community and Social Development, Mulipola Anarosa Molioo-Ale, saying the last budget set aside $2 million tālā for the scheme, but more funding was needed to keep up with registrations.
An $800,000 tālā top-up has been endorsed by Cabinet.
The minister said anyone registered at the time to receive the benefit will get the payments for the months that were missed when the allocation ran out.
Samoa - stolen
After 134 years, the prow of a taumualua, or a war canoe, stolen by German soldiers has been returned to its homeland, Samoa.
The prow was taken from Samoa in 1888 during the Samoan Civil War.
The National University of Samoa and the German Übersee-Museum Bremen have celebrated with an official handover and signing ceremony.
The handover has been labeled a significant breakthrough.
Guam/Japan - repatriate
Leaders from Guam and Japan gathered to repatriate remains of up to eight Japanese soldiers from World War II back home.
The officials singed off the transfer at the Guam Governor's office.
Over the last few years, Guam's state historic preservation office discovered burial remains of Japanese soldiers from World War IIin three different locations.
They were officially transferred into Japanese custody on Wednesday, following the U-S territory's 80th anniversary of liberation day.
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said returning the remains back is the most civil and right thing to do in partnership with their Japanese ally.
"We will never forget the atrocities of war. But that doesn't stop us from forgiving."
Liberation Day comemoration servces are held annually in the US territory marking the invasion by US military forces on 21 July 1944, which ended Japanese occupation.
