3 days ago
Pacific news in brief for 15 August
Solomon Islands - marine
Community leaders from Vanuatu and Solomon Islands have committed to establish a transboundary marine protected area in their shared ocean space.
The Solomon Star reported President of Torba Province, Edgar Haward, saying Torba was honored to host Temotu, its neighbor across national solwara borders.
The proposed protected area aims to ensure total recovery of marine ecosystems, strengthen food and nutrition security, and open new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The provinces will seek support from the Melanesian Spearhead Group to advance the initiative.
The formal legal declaration will be made at the PIF Leaders' Summit.
American Samoa - dengue
American Samoa is reporting a number of its cases of dengue fever are linked to recent travel to neighbouring Samoa.
Territorial epidemiologist, Adam Konrote said as of 8 August, the territory reported 34 lab-confirmed cases.
"Of these, 26 cases are travel-associated, primarily linked to recent travel to western Samoa," he said.
"Eight cases have been confirmed to be locally acquired."
Konrote said Tafuna is the village with the most confirmed cases.
Samoa has reported nearly 8000 clinically diagnosed cases of the disease and six deaths.
New Caledonia/Australia - travel
Australia's government is advising travellers to New Caledonia to exercise "a high degree of caution".
This comes more than a year after violence broke out in Noumea over a proposal by the French state to change voter eligibility.
That proposal was eventually abandoned.
Australia's 'smart traveller' site warns that there's still a high police and security presence in country, and isolated security incidents may occur across the territory.
Tonga - election
Tonga's parliament has wrapped up its session, ushering in a three-month campaign period for November's general election.
Bills passed in the session included the Personal Health Information Protection Bill, and the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill.
Parliament is set to reconvene in October to formally close the session before the election.
Talanoa 'o Tonga reported many of the current members are expected to run.
